Ask the Car People.SM


Kia Rondo suggested improvements

44 messages,  Last post on Jun 17, 2011 at 9:02 AM

You are in the Kia Rondo Forum.

What is this discussion about? Kia Rondo

Messages Page 3 of 5

#15 of 44 Re: Improvements by bgw

Sep 03, 2007 (6:40 pm)

In #1, ramblin takes issues with:
2) Offer standard factory tinting of rear and side rear windows.
7) No KIA optional mud flaps?
8) Add daytime running lights
 
I have just purchased a 2007 Rondo EX V6 Luxury 7 seater with all of the above as standard equipment. I live in Canada. I guess you can't get these in the US?

#16 of 44 Re: Improvements [bgw] by conwelpic

Sep 04, 2007 (6:48 pm)

Replying to: bgw (Sep 03, 2007 6:40 pm)
tinted windows are not standard in Canada, its a dealer installed option.

#17 of 44 AC by bobw3

Oct 16, 2007 (6:35 am)

I think that any vehicle with 3 rows needs ceiling AC vents for the 3rd row passengers. For the second row passengers, the vents in the back of the front center console don't do much more than blast cold air on the knees of the occupants, even if you angle the vents up. They work okay in cars where you're sitting lower, but not very well on minivan/CUVs or cars with higher seats. Until there are ceiling AC vents, I won't buy either a Mazda5 or Rondo.

#18 of 44 suggested improvments by telesave

Oct 16, 2007 (7:12 am)

After owning my rondo for 5 mths, I am enjoying it but I would love to have the following (some of these are the same as others have suggested):
 
1. improved gas mileage (like crv, matrix, etc)
2. higher center armrest
3. bluetooth or mp3 jack
4. intermintent rear wiper
5. Add slide out extension to sun visor
6. I would prefer a straight shift from Park to drive. The offsets are just a pain.
7. keylock on passenger side front door (I don't usually carry the keyfob with me)
8. ventelation issues..
- can't get fresh outside temp air from the vent (it is always heated somewhat)
- ventalation off s/not be in middle of dial
- rear seats need ceiling vents
- a/c doesn't get the car really cold (only cool)
9. a manual with a more 'hardcore' info
(for instance, it doesn't even tell you the type of headlite bulbs used. I wanted to upgrade to bright white and when I asked why its not in the manual the dealer said this is 'dealer info' fyi: low-H7 high-9L)
10. smaller rear roof post (ie the rear side windows s/be straight on the bottom, not angled upwards which reduces the size of the rear window and hinders vision for driver rear shoulder checks)
 
comments anyone?

#19 of 44 Re: suggested improvments [telesave] by alamocity

Oct 16, 2007 (9:59 am)

Replying to: telesave (Oct 16, 2007 7:12 am)
Just a couple of comments to your post, I've driven the Rondo a couple of times and found no visibility problems at all, in fact I much prefer it over others I have driven with the smaller, chopped off windows. As to a manual I have found that kiatechinfo provides a wealth of information so you might want to give that a try for the information you are looking for.

#20 of 44 Re: suggested improvments [telesave] by conwelpic

Oct 16, 2007 (4:03 pm)

Replying to: telesave (Oct 16, 2007 7:12 am)
looks like they were listening to you as the 2008 model now has an auxiliary jack in the console.
 
We always want better mileage regardless of the vehicle, but with your reference to the CR-V, there is very little difference. The CR-V is rated at 28/39 CDN mpg in the FWD model and the Rondo is 26/38 both with 2.4 litre engines, of course its different on the Matrix as its a much smaller engine (1.8) and the vehicle is lighter (by 600 lbs) giving you 34/45, which really is more like competition to the Spectra 5 (2.0 litre) 32/46 or the Rio 5 at 35/50 with a 1.6 engine.
 
I agree with alamocity, you couldn't ask for a better site to get detailed info on your KIA than kiatechinfo its fantastic.

#21 of 44 Re: suggested improvments [telesave] by taximom5

Oct 21, 2007 (5:29 am)

Replying to: telesave (Oct 16, 2007 7:12 am)
Regarding the "always heated somewhat outside air from the vent," I've noticed the same thing--when you turn on the car, you get slightly heated air from the fresh air vent setting.
 
I find that if I turn the A/C on to the highest setting for about 10 seconds, and then switch it back to the vent, that small amount of heating shuts off and I can get plain, unheated, fresh air through the vent.
 
Why it works that way, I have no clue.

#22 of 44 Re: suggested improvments [taximom5] by medicineman

Oct 21, 2007 (6:48 am)

Replying to: taximom5 (Oct 21, 2007 5:29 am)
Yeah, I've noticed that I can't get outside temperature air into the cabin, either. I notice it the most after I've been driving around for a while, then stopping for an errand, and then restarting the engine. The outside air isn't just "heated somewhat," though--in my case, it's heated a lot. I almost wilted away a few times this past summer as I turned the fan on full blast and stubbornly waited in vain for the air to become unheated. In case someone thinks that I'm a complete idiot, the temperature dial was turned to the coolest position.
 
My solution was to turn off the fan and just rely on the air coming from the rolled down windows, or turn on the AC and leave it on. Thankfully, we had mostly a cool summer, so it wasn't a major problem.
 
I'll have to try your solution, taximom5. So for about ten seconds, you have the AC on, temperature dial at the coolest position, and fan on at full tilt? Anyway, the long, cool monsoon season has started in Vancouver, so it's not like I need immediate relief.

#23 of 44 Re: suggested improvments [medicineman] by taximom5

Oct 21, 2007 (7:28 am)

Replying to: medicineman (Oct 21, 2007 6:48 am)
I don't think you even need the fan on full as long as it's on a little bit, just long enough to feel cool air from the air conditioner. Then switch the control to fresh air vent, and it's just normal fresh air.

#24 of 44 Cup Holders by bgw

Nov 29, 2007 (4:33 am)

A suggested improvement from me, now that my wife and I have had our 2007 EX V6 Luxury for 3 months, is that the middle seat cupholders (the ones at the back of the centre console) are ridiculously low. Our 2 children cannot even come close to reaching them, and adults have a long reach too.
As well, both our remote unlock fobs only operate from a distance of 10 ft or less. The fobs for my 1998 Escort wagon operate from about 30 ft. Maybe it's a safety issue - if you unlock from too far away, someone can get to your car before you? I dunno.
If you install studded winter tires, like I have, then the Rondo transforms from a quiet serene ride to a very loud thrumming ride on dry pavement (it has not really snowed here yet). But I can put up with that for safety's sake. My 98 Escort is just as loud with it's winter tires, but that car is 9 yrs old and that is to be expected.
Anyway, we love our Rondo, and at 4800 kms (about 2900 miles), we have had Zero issues with reliability or quality. Mileage continues to be about 24-25 mpg (per 4.54 liter Canadian gallon) around town and 31-32 mpg on the highway. The headlights are fantastic! The seat heaters are a bit slow to warm, but get nice and cosy once they do warm up (it's -6 degrees C here now this morning). Real nice stereo (my 80's music has never sounded so goo) and we love the 3rd row's ease of operation for occasional use. A tremendous value in a practical efficient vehicle.

Messages Page 3 of 5

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement