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Wagons Kia Rondo Kia Rondo Owner Reports
36 messages, Last post on Aug 30, 2009 at 9:59 AM
You are in the Kia Rondo Forum. Your Host is kcram
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to start this thread off by giving my impressions on the 2.4L engine. I have now covered over 10,600 km (6500 miles for our US cousins) and extremely pleased with its power and economy. It accelerates onto freeways without hesitation and lots of power to pass at 100-110kmph (60-65mph) It has that typical four cylinder idle if you listen carefully but its quiet. It is very economical for its size and my mileage has ranged from a low of 26mpg (imperial gallons) in the dead of winter to a high recently of 39mpg with my average in the 31 - 32mpg range. The transmission is smooth and kicks down nicely for passing. The steptronic manual shift availability is terrific (and easy to use) and is a real help in driving in bad winter conditions. I cannot speak more highly of the combination of the two. Some people have wished it was a 5 speed but so far I can't see the point, unless of course it give improved fuel mileage and not simply just an extra gear. 2008 Rondo EX, 5-seater, 2.4L, Aqua Silver with gray interior Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada |
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Spent $680 to replace the AC condenser after it was punctured by a rock. Two front wheel alignments in the last 5 months with a hefty adjustment each time. Drivers seat kills my back without a pillow in place. All the glass is nice until you cook for days on end under the hot sun on long trips. Beige interior seems to stain easily. Love the way it drives, love the better fuel economy over the Sedona van. Love the cargo space. Driving through the mountains recently with the 4 cylinder was a struggle at times, but I'll take the economy over the 6 cylinder. Where I live mountain driving isn't an issue. If I had to do it all over again, I would buy a 4 cylinder Camry. That is not really an option as even with a hefty down payment I would take such a hit on the trade in that it would not be worth it. |
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First, thanks, Karen, for starting this thread, and trying to end the warfare over at Mazda5 vs. Rondo. Encapsulating various other posts I've made since taking delivery in October 2007, I have been nothing but impressed with my Rondo LX I-4. Very good mpg (25 mpg average), a very smooth & quiet ride, great visibility, great room/functionality/versatility, about the smoothest braking I've ever experienced. I had been a bit disappointed in the car's acceleration, but got a little boost in that by switching air filters. The fabric seats do tend to take on stains easily, but I've gotten every stain out, basically USING just water. One thing I've noticed is that the engine bay tends to gather an inordinate amount of debris/dust. If you are one that isn't so anal, that's a non-issue. But I am fussy and like to keep the engine bays in all my cars clean. There must be something with the front end (lower front end?) design of the car that allows road grit/debris to enter. That's about it. Love the Rondo! |
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Hello, I bought a Rondo in Sept. ' 07. I like the car, but....There is NO storage at all! I have 5 kids. Fits them all perfectly, however, they forgot to add trunk space! I can't even put a stroller inside the car !! I didn't realize it until after I bought the car! YIKES! Also, I'm on my 3rd warranty issue! First the Oxygen sensor had to be replaced, then the sway bar, and now I have to bring it back in for the speed sensor! I'm wondering what else is going to go wrong! So far the dealership has covered all expenses, but what a huge incovienence! I've noticed that sometimes when I put gas in the car, the check engine light goes on, it's very picky about how you tighten the cap. So you have to open the gas cap and re close it often to get the check engine light to go off. As far as the light tan entierer, well yes it's going to show dirt/stains.........but it does seem to clean easy. I purchased a black leather car bra when I bought the car, and it really makes the Kia Rondo look pretty classy! Shop around, between two Kia deaerlships, the difference in price for the car bra was about $30.
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My wife and I bought a 2007 Rondo EX V6 Luxury in August. It has been the best vehicle we have ever owned, waaaay better than the lemon Honda Civic we once owned, any of my Fords, my Dodge, my Chevy and even better than our beloved 1998 Legacy Brighton wagon, which we traded on the Rondo. We cross-shopped a Mazda5 but found it too sparse inside (too cold and uninviting) plus it was not rated to tow at all (so said the owner's manual). But we did like it's 5 speed manual and sporty nature. The Rondo won out for us, due to it's unbeatable combination of safety features, practicality, efificiency, pleasant exterior (classy even, with our Urban Grey) and so so useful interior. Emrondo notes that it has no room for his 5 kids AND cargo. He should not have bought a Rondo (or M5 or Dodge Journey) if he needed to carry so many people and cargo. That's what a mini-van is for. However, the Rondo excels at carrying 2 adults/2 kids/a load of cargo OR 2 adults and 4 or 5 kids without cargo. Example - my wife and I, with our 2 kids, have lots of room for traveling with a load of gear, and on rainy days I can pick up the 2 kids and their 2 friends from school by utilizing the 3rd row seat. Our Rondo has needed no attention from the dealer - zero, zip, nada. The check engine light was frequent during the 1st month we had the Rondo, but we learned to twist the gas cap 3 clicks, not just 1, and the CEL did not show again. We have the grey leather, and it wipes clean with just a damp cloth. Great for hauling the kids around. We love the V6/5sp auto combo (sure wish we could get a manual trans though) and the fuel economy has been exceptional - 33 mpg per Imperial gallon on the highway (with the 4 of us, a load of stuff, and cruise on at 115 km/h). Around town, we consistently get 24-25 mpg Imperial, and could get more if I would stop doing jackrabbit starts... So far, we have not towed anything, as we have been waiting on a hitch from our dealer for almost 3 months (!). Tow rating is 2,000 lbs with a trailer hitch. Oddly, the European Carens version is rated to tow higher. We have found that the A/C does not really blow cold, but rather cool, just like our Legacy wagon. I have had to add a piece of carpet to the cargo area, since the grey carpet there is just too light in colour to carry any cargo without risk of staining. And the ABS is too intrusive in the winter, even with our studded winter tires installed. Overall, we love it and enjoy it. Currently, it has 15,000 kms and is due for it's second oil change any day now. Smooth, really quiet on the highway, decent ride, good handling for a tall car, safe, great warranty, decent price, practical, efficient, organized, flexible, reliable, well-built, comfortable and good-looking. What else can I say! A much better vehicle than the Mazda 5, I think. |
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Replying to: emrondo (Jul 01, 2008 1:30 am)
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Replying to: garnermike (Jul 01, 2008 8:06 am) |
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