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Rondo vs Outlander/Rav4/Santa Fe/Mazda5

271 messages,  Last post on Jul 30, 2008 at 1:09 PM

You are in the Toyota RAV4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Kia Rondo, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota RAV4, Mazda MAZDA5, Car Buying, Wagon

Messages Page 25 of 28

#234 of 271 Re: 2008 Mazda5 for North America. Updated Pics [kech] by ateixeira

Dec 03, 2007 (10:40 am)

Replying to: kech (Dec 03, 2007 9:44 am)
I've seen some interior pics from Kia but I swear they're photochopped.
 
In person, you fold the 3rd row and the backrest basically contacts the 2nd row.
 
There's only enough leg room if you move the 2nd row forward (as is the case with the Mazda5).
 
Found some sample photos.
 
Kia makes it look HUGE here, probably by moving the other 2 rows forward:
 

 
Yet here's another photos that shows how tiny that rear area actually is when the 2nd row is all the way back:
 

 
You only have a lot of room if the 2nd row is slid forward, and that may even force the 1st row occupants to slide forward, too.

#235 of 271 Re: 2008 Mazda5 for North America. Updated Pics [ateixeira] by ateixeira

Dec 03, 2007 (10:41 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 03, 2007 10:40 am)
Replying to myself here, but notice the driver's seat, how it's moved forward in relation to the steering wheel, which is probably too close in that position.

#236 of 271 Re: 2008 Mazda5 for North America. Updated Pics [ateixeira] by kech

Dec 03, 2007 (11:02 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 03, 2007 10:40 am)
If you call 31.7cu.ft. with the 3rd row down not much room compared to 15cu.ft. with the Mazda5. You have to lay flat both the 2nd and 3rd row seats to accomplish 30cu.ft. of space within the Mazda5 vs 73.4cu.ft. in the Rondo with the same config. There is no comparison!

#237 of 271 Re: 2008 Mazda5 for North America. Updated Pics [kech] by coolmazda5

Dec 03, 2007 (11:35 am)

Replying to: kech (Dec 03, 2007 10:23 am)
Very good observation, but off-topic. I would like to see some pics with people inside the Rondo to really evaluate the space (not the published specs). Again, it is not just about the Rondo, it is about any smaller vehicle with a 3rd row seat (i.e. a RAV4). As I mentioned here some time back, if I need to seat 6 average size adults in my car at least 90% of the time I would have gone for a Suburban, a Honda Odyssey or a Toyota Sienna. Since that is not the case, when I have a full house (including a large stroller in the back of the 3rd row) I don't mind the comfort too much.
 
With regards to snow, I also live in a cold area and I've seen a lot of powerful SUVs with all the nice toys stranded (ESC, AWD, Traction Control, etc.), so it is not the toys added in many instances, is knowing how to drive under those conditions.

#238 of 271 Re: 2008 Mazda5 for North America. Updated Pics [coolmazda5] by kech

Dec 03, 2007 (12:00 pm)

Replying to: coolmazda5 (Dec 03, 2007 11:35 am)
It's all about personal choice. Both vehicles have similar characteristics in all categories. Some people associate the Kia brand with reliability issues and some are concerned with various features offered with the Kia and not with the Mazda5. All in all, both vehicles have very good reviews that cannot be ignored. You're alright in my book coolmazda5. BTW, nice PICS!!

#239 of 271 Re: 2008 Mazda5 for North America. Updated Pics [kech] by ateixeira

Dec 03, 2007 (12:21 pm)

Replying to: kech (Dec 03, 2007 11:02 am)
I still think the Rondo is small, though. The Mazda5 being even smaller doesn't change that opinion.
 
Any how, it is nice that Kia offers small (Rondo), medium (SWB Sedona), and large (LWB Sedona).
 
Then again, my reference point is a Sienna. There's nearly 100 cubic feet behind the 2nd row, which means 5 people plus tons of stuff.

#240 of 271 Re: 2008 Mazda5 for North America. Updated Pics [kech] by mrbwa1

Dec 03, 2007 (1:38 pm)

Replying to: kech (Dec 03, 2007 10:23 am)
kech,
 
   The Traction Control ans Stability Control are very nice things to have. I do happen to have a Mazda5 and we have been been dealing with snow all last week. I will admit that we have a set of Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds on the 5 and it have performed very well in conditions ranging from compact snow/ice to deep snow. On ice, the traction can be a bit hard to come by, but the Auto allows for starting in second gear which helps significantly. That, along with careful throttle modulation gets it going easily.
 
  I don't want to come across as saying that TC and ESP are useless, but I have never had either on a car and have managed to survive winter using careful driving techniques. I also believe that TC and ESP can lull some drivers into a false sense of security. Once the snow starts in my area, a large percentage of accidents are the result of drivers going too fast for conditions (mainly AWD SUVs). I also have driven with and without snow tires (studded and studless) and believe that a good set of snow tires is a good investment for those in snow climates. While TC and ESP may definitely help in those rare, unforseen circumstances, I would still want a good set of snow tires for their superior braking and cornering performance in the nasty stuff.

#241 of 271 Re: 2008 Mazda5 for North America. Updated Pics [kech] by mrbwa1

Dec 03, 2007 (1:45 pm)

Replying to: kech (Dec 03, 2007 9:44 am)
kech,
 
  I believe the photo is a good thing and can see you observation. I Like how the driver appears to be relatively short. Only thing I can point out as a Mazda5 owner is that the legroom in a little different than we traditionally think about in the 5. It is the same what with my Toyota ECHO and also with a Mazda 3 that I had for a loaner. The apparent legroom is a bit tight, but the cars are engineered to sit more upright and provide toe space under the front seats. with a full load of adults on board, it is still a bit of a pinch, but that is the compromise of these vehicles.
 
   I had researched the Rondo and Mazda5 before buying and the reviews cam across as the 3rd rows being very alike. The Rondo did have more measured legroom, but you sit lower, which is another tradeoff. Both the Rondo and MZ5 are fine cars that fit different needs for people.

#242 of 271 Re: 2008 Mazda5 for North America. Updated Pics [mrbwa1] by bobw3

Dec 03, 2007 (3:21 pm)

Replying to: mrbwa1 (Dec 03, 2007 1:45 pm)
From the manufacture webpages:
 
Rondo:Legroom (front/middle/rear) 41.3 in./38.2 in./31.3 in.
Mazda 5 Leg Room, front/2nd/3rd row (inches) 40.7/35.2/30.7
 
cargo room behind the 2nd row
Rondo 31.7
Mazda5 44.4
 
So there is more legroom in the Rondo, but the opening in the 2nd row of the Mazda5 between the two seats might make is seem less cramped than with the Rondo's 2nd row bench. Plus I doubt if the Rondo's 3rd row passengers will feel any of the AC from the 2nd row vents, but they would in the Mazda5 again, because of the 2nd row captain chairs will allow air to flow between them to the 3rd row.
 
You do get more cargo space behind the 2nd row of the Mazda5, so if you're using it mostly as a 2 row vehicle, then I'd rather have the additional cargo space. It's like my Honda Fit. The Versa has more 2nd row legroom than the Fit, but the Fit has more cargo space behind the 2nd row. Since our family of 4 fit in the Fit just fine, I went with the Fit for the better cargo space.
 
So it depends on if you want the extra legroom inches of the Rondo or extra CuFt of the Mazda5.

#243 of 271 Re: 2008 Mazda5 for North America. Updated Pics [mrbwa1] by 08outtie

Dec 03, 2007 (4:18 pm)

Replying to: mrbwa1 (Dec 03, 2007 1:45 pm)
I agree, some car designs create legroom for front and back occupants by virtually making the occupants to sit straight up. Imagine you are sitting on a stool at a bar, your legs are dangling towards the floor instead of resting your feet on the floor with your knees banded at 90 degree.
 
With legs elongated and extended downwards, less lateral room is required. The side effects are less comfortable sitting position and tall ceiling. I first noticed this trend of designing also with the Toyota Echo and Matrix. For a relatively small vehicle, there seemed to be a lot of legroom and headroom. However, the styling really suffered as it looked like a loaf of bread with the tall roof line. Subsequently, I noticed the Honda fit, Mazda 5 and Nissan Versa were designed with the same tricks to create legrooms.

Messages Page 25 of 28

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