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Vans & Minivans Mazda Mazda5 Mazda 5 vs Kia Rondo
801 messages, Last post on Nov 10, 2009 at 8:34 PM
You are in the Mazda Mazda5 Forum. Your Host is Karens
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Honda and Nissan owner here, so no vested interested in either a Kia or a Mazda. Even so, my brother owns a Mazda 5 ('08 Navy Blue Grand Touring) and that is one BAD car! Like bad as in REALLY good. The thing never ceases to impress me! I drive his 5 at any chance I get. Good thing he knows I like it, so he lets me drive it anytime I'm around. Recently went on a road trip with him, his wife and my wife, and all 4 of us were impressed with the car - peppy performance, great handling, brakes, seats, leather, sound system, cool and useful features everywhere, good looking, great mileage and more. Never thought of owning a Mazda before but I'm seriously considering trading in my wife's 07 CRV for the 5. It's that good! On the other hand, my cousin owns a new 2008 Kia Rondo EX. He loved my brother's car, and wanted to get something like it but without copying him (self esteem issues). So he went for the Rondo. He likes his car. Overall, he's happy with it. But, he often mentions how my brother's 5 is better, and how he would've loved to have bought that car instead, but just didn't want to seem like a biter (issues). And, we all have to agree. Just like "Nissmazlover" is saying, the 5 is just a better car. There's no denying it. Sorry.  The Rondo's an alright car (comfortable, decent engine, nice sound system). But it just doesn't seem as high quality as the 5, or drive as nice, or ride as nice, or look as good, or feel as good, it's not even as economical or have as many features as the 5. Even though it's comfortable and seats one more person, it just doesn't seem as comfortable as the 5 - i love the middle row captain's chairs, and 3 adults in the middle row seat of a Rondo are not comfortable! I love driving my bro's 5, but after driving my coz's Rondo a few times, I wouldn't care about driving it ever again. I wouldn't go as far as to say that it sucks but, to me, there's no comparison - and the Rondo's cheaper price doesn't compensate for it. Now, the Rondo's alright. If you absolutely need space for 7 and want to pay a few dollars less, then go with the Rondo. If not, then go with the 5. It's just better. Now, don't go jamming down my throat like you did with Nissmazlover (poor guy). Just wanted to add my two cents in.  Can you Mazda 5 guys out there convince me even more into trading in my CRV for the 5? I'd like to hear what you have to say. And, Rondo owners, what is the absolute best deal you've gotten for your cars? Maybe if it's a LOT cheaper, then I'd think about it. |
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Replying to: coolmazda5 (Jun 26, 2008 7:15 pm) I've read those safety reports before, and they are interesting, but they measure different things than we do in the USA, so comparing a NHTSA report on a US spec Rondo to EuroNCAP report on a EU spec Mazda could be like comparing apples and oranges. I wish the Mazda5 NHTSA ratings were published for comparison purposes to the NHTSA crash ratings for the Rondo. Here's an excerpt from the NHTSA FAQ concerning comparing different organization results; "Note: Each organization's rating results are generally for vehicles sold in its respective country or region. Vehicle specifications, and therefore crash results, may vary between countries. As such, comparing the rating results for a similarly named vehicle model from different countries should be done with care, as there can be differences in the rating protocols and rating systems as well as the vehicle model itself." Interestingly, the 2008 Comparison of Insurance costs does compare both vehicles. With 100 being average, Mazda got a 90 (better than average) and Rondo got a 66 (much better than average)(In this test, lower is better meaning that Rondo had collision costs 34% below the average, and Mazda 5 was 10% below the average). While the test does not reflect injury potential, it does reflect what the insurance companies pay out based on historic figures for the two vehicles compared to an industry average. Full report here; http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/Vehicle%20Safety/Articles/Associa- ted%20Files/2008_Insurance_Costs_Comparison.pdf John
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Replying to: nycdriver1 (Jun 30, 2008 12:21 pm)  , but... For what is worth, when I bought my 06 Mazda5 I also test drove an 05 CR-V. As you may know during that time the Honda CR-V was also offered with manual transmission, which my wife likes, so we gave it a look. Good looking car, manual transmission, OK engine and great fuel economy but a) it was an SUV and it was too "tall" for wife. In addition, she thought the interior was not as functional as the Mazda5 one so the Mazda5 won over. My 08, I traded it for a Honda, and I chose a 2nd Mazda5 based on the experience of my wife's car, something not commonly heard of. Also, there are many reviews out there, but if you like driver-car engagement, this is the one that tells me the most out of a people mover that price: But the best part about the 5 is how you feel driving it. Sliding doors? Three rows of seats? It's hard to believe that the 5 can carry six people considering the way that it drives. Due to being so low to the ground it has a sporty ride quality, and its well-damped multi-link rear suspension and nicely weighted, agile steering make it a joy to drive. It also corners flatly, and has surprisingly good levels of grip complemented by strong brakes, and that's not just compared to other minivans, that's in general. If you enjoy driving, I've no doubts the Mazda5 will please you. Source: http://car-reviews.automobile.com/Mazda/review/2008-mazda5-gt-road-test/5543/ __________________
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Replying to: radar1 (Jun 30, 2008 3:03 pm) 1) If we are comparing apples to oranges, why the NHTSA has waived the collision testing for the Mazda5 for so long? Why we don't have already tons of Chinese cars running in the US today just because the China collisions test are safe? NHTSA does look after recognized tests globally including E-NCAP and J-NCAP to prioritize their testing, that is for sure. In other words, comparing those tests may be like comparing red apples with green apples instead, they are not the same but they have common guidelines. 2) Collision costs? Mazda collision parts may be more expensive than KIA collision parts in average, but that does not mean one car is safer than the other. Example: Honda Accord 4 door, it has 99, does that mean the car less safe than a Mazda5? 
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Replying to: coolmazda5 (Jun 30, 2008 3:04 pm) It really is a nice car. I'm really thinking about getting it. And I love the whole thing the reviewer said about "passion" at the end of the article. It's true: You can't put a price on that. Sadly, that is something the Rondo is sorely lacking. The Rondo's is merely functional. Whereas the 5 is not only functional, but stylish, fun and passionate. I don't understand why someone would pick the former over the latter. |
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Replying to: coolmazda5 (Jun 30, 2008 3:04 pm) Also, nycdriver1, I noticed the same thing about the electric sliding assistance. I know my Mazda 5 Grand Touring doesn't have that, so may be it was an oversight or something on the part of the reviewer. Also, thanks for the vote sympathy in your last posting. I appreciate it! Like CoolMazda5 said, it doesn't sound like you need much convincing about getting the 5 . The only thing I'd worry about, and this isn't my business at all, would be if you'd be upside down on your payments by trading in such a new car for the 5. I mean, part of the appeal of the 5 is that it is so affordable and you feel like you cheated the world or something by buying a car that feels so much more expensive than what it is. Other cars that contain the same things the 5 GT has are so much more expensive. So, the affordability of it all is factored in heavily. Would you still have that if you have to make higher payments than other 5 owners because of the upside down portion of your trade-in? Just something to consider is all. Again, that's your business. Any Rondo owners out there going to try to convince him to go the Rondo way?
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Replying to: nissmazlover (Jul 01, 2008 8:13 am) 
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Tuesday means Mazda chat night! The chat opens at 8:45 pm ET and runs until 10 pm ET. I hope you're able to join us tonight to meet and greet with your fellow CarSpace members! See you there! |
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The Electric Assist is available on the Canidian GT models IIRC. No electric assist for the US from what I know. btw, slightly off topic, but the Standard 5 Sport without side sills (CM5 did they add those for 2008?) isn't too low to the ground. I can attest to that after an um.. incident involving one of those concrete parking stop blocks... Not sure if I have any undercoating or paint left on the frame rails though. |
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If you need to tow a boat or jet ski you may want to consider the Rondo. The V6 version can tow up to 2,000 lbs with trailer brakes. Otherwise pick what fits your needs. Both are great cars.
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