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Vans & Minivans Mazda Mazda5 Mazda 5 vs Kia Rondo
806 messages, Last post on Nov 26, 2009 at 2:38 PM
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"My personal view is that the Rondo is very functional but still lacks the good looking design part. " I hear you on this point - I also like the way the mazda looks better. What I didn't like was that narrow rear window and how low it rides to the ground- we bottomed out on a hill on the test drive. We also got the kia for a lot less $$. Also found the interior of the kia more spacious and the seats 6 and 7 were more comfortable.. Cheers, T
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Replying to: tgahan (Jul 24, 2007 10:45 am) What I didn't like was that narrow rear window and how low it rides to the ground- we bottomed out on a hill on the test drive No issues with regards to the rear window but, very true, The Mazda5 rides lower than other cars (especially the front bumper/spoiler is a troublemaker). I kind of like the height but, yes, it was a hassle when new so we had to spend some time to get used to it. I remember scratching the bumper bottom several times against parking car stops where I usually never cared about with our other car. We now have to make sure we stop at a safe distance from front curbs or car stops when angle parking  , just in case. During snow days and snow piles, yes something to look out as well 
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(Edit: I originally posted 3 articles, but one of them seemed to be just a rip-off of Graeme Fletcher's article.) Looking to downsize, but still needs space I think this is a transcript from an automotive TV show hosted by Jeremy Cato and Michael Vaughan in Canada. They also discuss the Chevy HHR. Vaughan doesn't like Kia's reliability record based on the reports from Consumer Reports and J.D. Power. Being a Rondo owner myself, I want to point out what the reports actually say. Kia ranked 17th out of 36 in the 2007 Consumer Reports study, which isn't outstanding, but it isn't horrible, either. In the 2006 Power's three-year dependability study, Kia ranked fourth from the bottom--but it also notes, "Kia has improved twice as much as any other brand in the past three years." The 2007 study should be released in the next few weeks, so it'll be interesting to see if the trend continues. Power also has a 90-day initial quality study. The 2007 study notes, "Among non-premium brands, Kia posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving from 24th in 2006 to 12th in 2007." |
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Odman already posted the link to the following article, but it isn't available anymore. So here it is in its entirety. This is a Canadian article, so remember that the options available in Canada are not exactly the same as in the US. Mini people-movers go head-to-head: Kia Rondo EX V6 Luxury and Mazda5 GT share many qualities yet are vastly different GRAEME FLETCHER Montreal Gazette May 23, 2007 The Europeans are known as trendsetters. In the automotive world, they have long embraced the diesel engine and, with the cost of motoring being what it is, they prefer smaller, more practical forms of transportation. In North America, the minivan and seven-seat SUV have been the typical choices for anyone needing to carry more than five people on a sometime/regular basis. The problem is that the minivan paints the driver with a tainted brush (you're a soccer parent) and big SUVs are gas hogs. Now, there are urban-friendly alternatives. Here, the Kia Rondo EX V6 Luxury takes on the Mazda5 GT. Both offer five-plus seating and deliver plenty of cargo space when the third row is not in use. Interior/Cargo The Rondo and Mazda5 are strikingly similar, right down to the sharp-edged flashing on the glove-box door, yet they are very different. The biggest similarity is seating - the Mazda5 accommodates six in a 2+2+2 configuration, while the Kia adds a seventh spot to the middle row. Realistically, it is fit only for a child. Both also deliver plenty of flexibility and cargo capacity. Folding the middle and third rows flat is a simple matter, although the Kia's second-row headrests have to be removed first. When it comes to actual cargo-carrying capacity, things get a little muddy. The two companies seem to use different methods to calculate the relative space available. One thing is for sure - with the third row deployed, there is virtually no cargo space in either case. (Take the toothbrush, buy the toothpaste when you get there.) With the third row down, space more than quadruples. And, with the centre row flat, the Rondo opens up to 73.4 cubic feet. Visually, the Mazda5 matches the available space, although its swoopier roofline might slightly limit overall height. As for accommodations, both again come very close. In the third row, the Kia has noticeably more legroom, kneeroom and headroom. Mazda also puts a hard plastic trim piece right where your head sits. The 5, however, is slightly more comfortable because the seat sits higher off the floor (270 millimetres versus the Kia's 230 mm). In the second row, things are much better. First, the seats are comfortable and can be moved fore and aft. With the third row vacant, moving the seat back brings plenty of stretch-out space. When the third row is in use, pulling the middle-row seats forward opens up the third row appreciably. The Mazda also has a couple of nice touches, including a storage bin under the left middle seat and a handy tray/net under the right. The Kia counters with functional roof rails. Up front, there is little to split the two. The driving positions are comfortable, visibility is good (both feature triangular windows at the A-pillar, which eliminates what would be a bad blind spot) and the layouts are entirely logical. Both testers also came with air conditioning (a $1,100 option on the Mazda5), decent audio packages and power locks, windows, mirrors and sunroofs. The noticeable difference is manual adjustment for the 5's cloth seats versus the power adjusters for the Kia's heated leather buckets. Differences are also found in the doors. Kia uses four conventionally hinged doors; Mazda uses sliding rear doors. The difference is subtle but meaningful. On the plus side, the Mazda5 is easier to load when parked in a tight spot. On the downside, the sliding doors hinder access to the third row because the leading edge eats into the entryway. Road manners Unlike larger minivans or SUVs, the Rondo and Mazda5 track a pretty good line through a fast on-ramp. Likewise, there is minimal body roll (both use anti-roll bars front and back) and any understeer exhibited is far enough out so as not to be a nuisance. Both also come with suitably large tires (the Mazda5 GT wears P205/ 50R17s, the Kia 225/50R17s) and anti-lock brakes. There are bigger differences in the powertrain. The Mazda5 comes with a 2.3-litre four-cylinder and a four-speed manumatic; the Rondo EX V6 is powered by a 2.7-litre V6 that drives a five-speed manumatic (the base Rondo EX comes with a 162-horsepower, 2.4-litre four and a four-speed tranny). The Mazda5 takes 9.3 seconds to reach 100 kilometres per hour and 7.6 seconds to do the 80-to-120-km/h passing move; the Rondo's V6 accomplishes the same thing in 8.2 and 6.1 seconds, respectively. The difference boils down to the power on tap. The Mazda four delivers 153 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm; the Kia pushes 182 horses and 182 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. The Kia's extra gear accentuates the urgency off the line and is also quieter at highway speeds. When it comes to fuel economy, it's pretty much a tie. The Mazda5 is rated at 11.2 litres per 100 km in the city and 8.3 L/100 km on the highway; the Rondo is thirstier in town (11.8 L/100 km), but better on the highway (7.9 L/100 km). Again, credit the five-speed box. As for safety, the Rondo beats the Mazda5 by coming with standard traction and electronic stability control systems - neither is offered on the Mazda5. Both come with front and side seat-mounted airbags, as well as drop-down side curtains and active headrests. The bottom line Both these vehicles are very good at what they do. They out-handle any SUV, have rear seats that are actually usable (albeit for a limited period of time), and both are attractively attired and affordably priced. The Mazda5 has the company's rep going for it. The Kia brings more power and better equipment for similar money. As such, my score sheet ranks the Kia Rondo EX V6 ahead of the Mazda5 GT. |
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Replying to: vegasrondo (Jul 23, 2007 4:47 pm) I topped off the tank this AM. It was 87 degrees outside. I then checked the tire air pressure, then drove to the freeway. I put 63.8 highway miles on the car, all but 4 miles at 68 MPH. The cruise control worked great. I then topped off the tank, 2.3 gallons, and my little experiment gave me 27.7 MPG on the highway with the A/C running full tilt. When I got home, the temperature was 91 degrees. The 2007 EPA highway ratings is 29. For 2008 it will be, I think, 27. So I am getting the adjusted EPA MPG, and that is real world MPG. I am real satisfied. All in all, I am very pleased with the highway mileage of the Rondo. As an extra note, the infinity Stereo, while still being horrid to see the display, does have incredible sound. During my little road trip I listened to Abbey Road (side B) and Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. The sound reproduction and positioning was fantastic.
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Replying to: vegasrondo (Jul 28, 2007 10:44 am)  You may need to get more tanks calculations to get a good average but to me that sounds like OK mileage. I wouldn't mind a Manual Transmission to get more than that though  . I have been able to get 31-34MPG on 70-75MPH 3-4hr trips (including lugagge, 2 passengers and nasty 1hr DC 495 beltway stop-n-go traffic). Happy driving... |
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Replying to: tgahan (Jul 23, 2007 10:14 am) |
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Replying to: renu_p (Aug 16, 2007 6:17 pm) Since you bought the car, and seem to really like it, that's all that matters in the long run. It will still depreciate at the same rate, and it will still cost the same to insure and operate. Enjoy the Rondo. The moral to the story is, the real price of a car is whatever someone is willing to pay for it. |
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Replying to: renu_p (Aug 16, 2007 6:17 pm) |
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Replying to: renu_p (Aug 16, 2007 6:17 pm) |
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