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Vans & Minivans Mazda Mazda5 Mazda 5 vs Kia Rondo
803 messages, Last post on Nov 16, 2009 at 3:25 PM
You are in the Mazda Mazda5 Forum. Your Host is Karens
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Had a chance to try Rondo (odometer 12,000 miles) in real life with real load. My friend came in 6 cyl Rondo to Cape Code Nikkerson State Park (90miles from Boston) from Toronto. Park is located on relativley steep hills and it is very twisty 4 miles from Park entrance to our camp on the very top. With 4 adults (3 - 6ft 200 pouns, 1 - 5ft 6in 150pouns) + 3 kids 15 years old (you know they are not very small in US) Rondo (6cyl) did not have any problems going these 4 miles down and up with 7 people mentioned above. Handling was Ok (but nothing special), power was more then enough. Brakes - no complaints. No feeling that suspension was stressed or overloaded. Then trip from Park to Provincetown - 30 miles one way by local hwy with the same load of 7 people at 50 mph. Park to Provincetown trip: Position-Behind the wheel: No problems passing other cars, handling is predictable (but nothing special). Ride is steady and even. Brakes are fine. Driver seat it comfortable. Visibility - very good (much better then in sedan). No road noise complaints. 2 15 years kids in back (3d row) seats - no complaints Provincetown to Park trip: Position- Back in 3d row (I'm 6 ft tall, 200 pouns): Comfort- Ok. Amazingly good visibility side and forward. Road noise - no complaints. Ride is steady and even. 2nd and 3d rows - Very comfortable headrests (also noticed by one Honda Accord owner). 40 min 3d row trip for me (6ft) was fine but longer trips will not be comfortable. So for in town (or short out of town) trips Rondo looks good for 7 adults. PS: When we arrived in Provicetown locals were a little bit surprised by how many people managed to get out of relaively small car. |
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Replying to: conwelpic (Aug 01, 2008 1:40 pm) Rondo - 1,066, YTD - 6,235
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Replying to: conwelpic (Aug 16, 2008 2:55 pm) I like that monthly highlight, let's hope it does not change soon 
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I've just realized that the 2009 Mazda5 is up for review on the right side of the screen, but is not in the market yet  . Regardless, look at the numbers for the Mazda5 vs. the Rondo so far: 2008 Mazda5: 9.4 (40 reviews) 2008 Rondo: 8.0 (6 reviews) 2007 Mazda5: 9.1 (53 reviews) 2007 Rondo: 8.8 (71 reviews) What about those 2008 Rondo fans? Put those numbers up  Note: Population of Mexico is 3 times bigger than Canada |
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On August 16th, just picked up a 2008 Touring Mazda 5, Desert Sand, with most options, including the entertainment package. Price was right at the TMV.  Using several internet sites, especially Edmunds, we had narrowed our initial choices (at least on paper) to Mazda 5 Touring or Grand Touring or Rondo EX, most likely 2008 to get a deal. I expected to either like both or not much like either, but the test drive was revealing. Without slamming it too much, the problem with the Rondo was that some of the things that looked good on paper, weren't that great in person, as far as we were concerned. It didn't help that the dealer apparently wasn't interested in selling, but we didn't let that affect our views. Enough of that. The Mazda dealer had 2 Mazda 5 2008 models left (and no 2009's in yet), the one we got and a GT Stormy Blue, fully decked out. The only thing we wanted in the GT was bluetooth, but wasn't worth the price difference. (Not a big fan of leather). Plus, that shade of blue can look purple in the North Alabama sun in August.  My wife an I both liked the Desert Sand--reminds us of our first car, an '89 Jade-Grey Nissan Sentra. The options were exactly what we wanted. We closed the deal in 2.5 hours, and most of that time was us test driving and thinking. I have never been treated that well by a dealer before, though Saturn came close. We love the way it drives. We love the features. I can see how the leg room might be a problem for some, but we are a 4-person family, all about average height, with occasional need to haul another kid or two. Plus, our other vehicle is a 1999 Venture van, which we also like. The Mazda5 is perfect for our family trips, my current commute, and switching over to my wife's main vehicle, once we finish our move. Thanks to Edmunds, and all you who posted here, for guiding us to the vehicle we wanted, so painlessly. |
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Well, if you like the current models, it seems that they will stay until 2011, give or take some facelifts Too early to say much, but the dates are here: Mazda5: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10015468-48.html Rondo: http://blogs.automobilemag.com/6291269/future-cars/future-kia-products-emphasize- - -style-design/index.html BTW, what happens to the review updates for the 08? 2008 Mazda5: 9.3 2008 Rondo: 7.7 Also, the 2009 Mazda5 is on sale now
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Mazda 5 - 1,324 Rondo - 3,508 |
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Well I can't compare the Mazda as the local dealers haven't had any in stock for months. I did compare on paper however, and liked the Rondo more. 3 weeks ago I test drove an EX model with the 4 cyl. and liked it and bought it. Now after approx 2000 kms here is what I find is hard to overlook and needs improvement: When you open the doors the dome light only lights up the back seats. The steering wheel needs to be telescopic as I have to put my seat closer to it than I like in order to be a comfortable reach. The passenger seat needs to be adjustable for up and down as is the driver's seat. My wife and I both find that the front edge cuts in to our thighs after about an hour's driving. We therefore switch seats to alleviate this. The 4 cyl. sometimes lacks sufficient acceleration depending where it is in the power band. However, I can live with these shortcomings as both my wife and I find the vehicle to be excellent overall. We have our 2 grandkids, ages 4 and 2 yrs. weekly and appreciate the wide opening doors and storage/cargo space. We really like the expansive glass area even though it feels like we're in a greenhouse when it's sunny. We're having the windows tinted aftermarket soon. The vehicle is surprisingly quiet inside. A good thing because the radio is not overly powerful sound-wise. It is easy to handle and tracts nicely and is smooth on good roads. It does jar a bit on rougher roads and bumps though. I'm not sure why here in Canada the powertrain is only warranted for 5 yrs./100,000 kms (62,000 mi.) while the U.S. model is warranted for 10 yrs. and 1000,000 MILES. I doubt that there is a difference in the drivetrains. Are Canadians harder on drivetrains than our American cousins? I think it's quite unfair on Kia's part and I aim to pursue this with them and would urge Canadian drivers to do the same. The fit and finish appear very good for the class and we are very satisfied with this vehicle.
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Replying to: beezer2 (Sep 14, 2008 11:57 am) Thanks and good luck on this vehicle.....palko
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Didn't think I would ever poke my head in here again after all of that noise a few months ago or whenever that was (when some dude was flame-baiting Rondo owners), but I found an article that's very relevant to this thread, which is the first ever "Rondo vs. Mazda5" article I've seen from an American website. I've posted links before to comparison articles from the Canadian press--adventurous types can try searching this thread for those links. The Truth About Cars: 2008 Kia Rondo EX vs. 2009 Mazda5 GT
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