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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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Replying to: coolmazda5 (Oct 18, 2008 4:40 pm) |
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Yeah, I did it. Enough of assumptions, while on business travel I arrived to the rental area and found a Rondo, so here we are: Rented 2009 Rondo LX I4, 5-seater, ~2100mi on the clock Pros Really nice exterior color. It was the Black Cherry I believe. The sunlight effects are great The Kumho tires (16in) are very decent, good grip. The highway drive is very quiet and the acceleration and barking feels very tight Although is a 4AT, the ride at 70-75MPH RPMs are decently low (2500-2800RPM) MP3, Sirius capable player and aux input. My rental had the satellite radio service enabled! OEM roof rails, good height/clearance space to install crossbars and stuff Good seating space in the 2nd row, not much of a difference for an adult from the Mazda5 perspective though. Also access is good thanks to the huge door. Problem is garages and parking lots 1-2 inches of extra leg room for the driver than the Mazda5 Decent fuel economy, a-la Mazda5 5MT Sunglasses bin where the map lamps/lights are Cons The tan interior does not look good at all, too brownish, cheap looks. The dashboard and gauges reminded me of mainstream taxis in Asia and South America. The overall design looks outdated with the bulky round vents The suspension is extremely soft, it “bounces” continuously over road bumps, like a boat at sea… Steering feels very lose, it is not crisp/responsive at all. The driver-car engagement is very poor, it feels like driving a large V8 car. Mazda has done a very good job in this area. I’ve rented a Mazda3 and a Mazda6, and is very crisp, shorter ratio and very responsive No telescopic steering wheel No adjustable lumbar support on the driver’s seat Plastic interior feels rough. The Mazda5 (Sport) also is also platicky, but this Mazda plastic there looks and feels with more quality (including steering wheel and shift knob) There are issues when you have sunlight in the dashboard. I certify now that the clock nor the radio screen are visible under direct sunlight, that is not good. Also the dashboard and screens’ orange color make it look very outdated The 16in wheels with plastic caps, ughhh Engine feels very peppy, but the 4AT gear to RPM ratio is not well synchronized. Example: from high RPMs on 2nd gear it jumps to a 3rd gear on very low RPMs, very inefficient, a lot of overdrive was needed to keep speed, especially uphill… 2nd row A/C is extremely poor, no low/high control plus it feels very week even with the MAX A/C on. I rented it in Dallas and after a 6-7 hours of being parked on direct sunlight took long time for the cabin to cool down. I did not perceive any difference with the 06-07 Mazda5, which does not have a 2nd row A/C Useless door ding protector stripes, way at the bottom of the door No light for the cargo area No steering wheel radio controls Subjective if you want Annoying wind noise on passenger front door at cruise speeds. Wind seems to be entering from the door handle. This may be related to be a rental, not related to the car design Key and Alarm Fob separated, not stylish at all… |
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Replying to: coolmazda5 (Oct 22, 2008 8:14 am) Anyway, I agree with most of your pros on the list. Only thing, though, I didn't have the satellite option, nor the Aux input. Kia JUST put that into their 2009 Rondo. As far as cons go, I also agree with everything you said and can add many more to the list. But, I won't go there. Some people here are way too sensitive for that. Suffice to say, at the request of my wife and friends, I went back all the way to San Juan (far from where I was) in order to switch the car back to the original smaller one I was supposed to get: A Scion XD, which we all enjoyed MUCH more. I just wish I would have been able to bring my own car down with us, or at least rent another 5. Then, we all would have been happy and I would have never had to waste my time in switching cars. |
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Replying to: coolmazda5 (Oct 22, 2008 8:14 am)
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Replying to: coolmazda5 (Oct 22, 2008 8:14 am) I wish mine was softer. Bumps are felt petty harshly IMO, I've never noticed the bouncing. No light for the cargo area Mine has a cargo light. No steering wheel radio controls EX version only? I still like the Mazda quite a bit. |
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Replying to: palko (Oct 22, 2008 1:27 pm) 2) I only filled-up once. It was around 22MPG. Please note that it was a rental so it was a very spirited driving, so I think the MPG can go up like with the Mazda5 when you drive lightly |
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Replying to: coolmazda5 (Oct 22, 2008 8:14 am) The US KIA site does not have yet the 2009 specs, but the Canadian KIA site does: http://www.kia.ca |
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Interesting article: I will plead with you though, please, please, please if you buy a Rondo, put winter tires on it. The stock tires are absolutely horrible in the snow and deadly on ice. Even on dry cold roads they have very little grip. If you believe the stability control and traction control will save you let me explain how the system on the Rondo works.As you start off and the system senses some slip, it cuts some engine power. It then allows a bit of slip then cuts power again, essentially leaving you stranded at the corner. Turn off the system spin the tires a little and away you go, the system was so intrusive for me, that off it went after the first time I couldn’t move! The stability program was just as bad. The two systems, coupled together turning a corner on a snowy road resulted in power being cut and the car nearly stopped dead mid turn! I turned off the system, put the car in neutral and then back to drive and voila — I turned. I’m not sure what the system was trying to do, but whatever it was it didn’t feel safe — it was almost like the vehicle said, “You know what James? It’s slippery out, I’ll save you — stop here.” I’m sure this system works great in warm climates with more grip — and thankfully the system can easily be turned off by hitting the button on the left of the steering column. Leave the ESC off during the winter and the Rondo drives with no drama; it is quiet and comfortable and easy to maneuver — perhaps not very exciting but not all vehicles need be. The Rondo certainly delivers what it is meant to deliver — A to B transportation with little drama. source: http://www.canadiandriver.com/ctc/blog/?p=165 |
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the Mazda 5 just squeaked passed the Rondo this month by 8 units! Mazda 5 - 694 Rondo - 686 |
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much better showing for the Mazda 5 this month Mazda 5 - 1921 Rondo - 1514 (maybe its the Rondo thats short of units this time?)
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