Did You Know Mitsubishi Still Sold the Galant?...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2008 Kia Rondo Quality Review

May 29, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

roomier inside
Autotropolis

a smooth ride and an eerie absence of tire noise
Car and Driver

Composed and comfortable
ConsumerGuide

high-quality interior design
Edmunds

better than average interior materials
Jalopnik

The Rondo Kia for 2008 gets superior marks for comfort and interior quality.

Most of the reviews consulted by TheCarConnection.com have nothing but accolades for the comfort and quality of the Rondo. Kia’s new wagon, Canadian Driver says, "conveys a lot of qualities of much more expensive vehicles." While the reviewer reported that his car had a tendency to "clank over bumps," he attributed this to "ice stuck in the cracks" (no surprise during a Canadian winter).

ConsumerGuide's assessment is that "interior materials and assembly quality [are] impressive for the price, with leather seating appearing especially upscale...good head and leg room."

Storage is not a problem with the Kia Rondo according to Jalopnik, reporting that the interior has "more mystery compartments and fuzzy cubby holes than the Winchester Mystery House"; as for comfort, the car suspension is "geared towards multiple human comfort over taut steering response."

New York Newsday praised the adjustable seats. They "emerged remarkably ache-free after a couple of two-hour stints behind the wheel," but suggested that lateral support leaves something to be desired.

TheCarConnection.com’s take is that the Rondo's forte is people-moving--though it has enviable cargo capacity, too. The Rondo's third row is by no means a place for adults to sit, but there's space for two adults and five kids, or two adults, three kids, and a lot of cargo. Both the second and third rows fold forward for a flat loading floor, and the second row slides fore and aft for improved legroom, a little more cargo space, or more balanced legroom between the second and third rows. And there are plenty of cubbies for stuff, including a huge recessed tray below the cargo floor in back.

Conclusion

For the price, the 2008 Kia Rondo provides great space and good comfort.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:roomier insideAutotropolisa smooth ride and an eerie absence of tire noiseCar and DriverComposed and comfortableConsumerGuidehigh-quality interior designEdmundsbetter than average interior materialsJalopnik The Rondo Kia for 2008 gets superior marks for comfort and interior quality. Most of the reviews consulted by TheCarConnection.com have nothing but accolades for the comfort and quality of the Rondo. Kia’s new wagon, Canadian Driver says, "conveys a lot of qualities of much more expensive vehicles." While the reviewer reported that his car had a tendency to "clank over bumps," he attributed this to "ice stuck in the cracks" (no surprise during a Canadian winter). ConsumerGuide's assessment is that "interior materials and assembly quality [are] impressive for the price, with leather seating appearing especially upscale...good head and leg room." Storage is not a problem with the Kia Rondo according to Jalopnik, reporting that the interior has "more mystery compartments and fuzzy cubby holes than the Winchester Mystery House"; as for comfort, the car suspension is "geared towards multiple human comfort over taut steering response." New York Newsday praised the adjustable seats. They "emerged remarkably ache-free after a couple of two-hour stints behind the wheel," but suggested that lateral support leaves something to be desired. TheCarConnection.com’s take is that the Rondo's forte is people-moving--though it has enviable cargo capacity, too. The Rondo's third row is by no means a place for adults to sit, but there's space for two adults and five kids, or two adults, three kids, and a lot of cargo. Both the second and third rows fold forward for a flat loading floor, and the second row slides fore and aft for improved legroom, a little more cargo space, or more balanced legroom between the second and third rows. And there are plenty of cubbies for stuff, including a huge recessed tray below the cargo floor in back. ConclusionFor the price, the 2008 Kia Rondo provides great space and good comfort.  2008 KIA RONDO STYLING | [5 out of 10] Car and Driver: "Less glamorous than a minivan...ugh" Cars.com: "Friendly face has few edges" Edmunds: "Lack of pizzazz" Kelley Blue Book: "Clean lines" New York Newsday: "Tall, reasonably stylish" Reviewers from across the Web had lukewarm ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Mazda5, which is the closest match to the Rondo in the U.S. market, has sliding doors, which many may prefer; it's also peppier and more fun to drive--with a standard manual transmission--and looks the part, with sportier, more appealing styling. But the Mazda5 is noisier, doesn't ride as smoothly as the Rondo, and lacks the surprisingly vast interior space. The Chevrolet HHR and Chrysler PT Cruiser are other alternatives; both offer hip (or not-so-hip) retro styling and flexible cargo arrangements, but neither has a third-row seat. Neither does the new Scion xB, which is also quite fuel-efficient, but beneath its boxy body, it doesn't feel exceptionally roomy.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Kia Rondo

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Kia Rondo

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Kia Rondo near you

See the Kia Rondo in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

Comments (3 total)

  1. By tony spears #3, Posted: 7/13/2008

    Mr.

    I bought a 2007 rondo last april and I have put 35000 miles on it already and I find the vehicle is superb with its v6. I had a sedona before and it is a big change to the smaller rondo but it maneuvers much better.

  2. By olive #4, Posted: 3/8/2009

    headrest

    I rented a rondo recently. The headrest on it forced me to bend my head unnaturally forward, so I pulled it out and reversed it so I could sit back in the seat. Other than that, it's very comfortable for someone with my long legs - 34" inseam. I may buy one.

  3. By Cathy Belcher #5, Posted: 11/13/2009

    I purchased my 2008 Kia Rondo in August and I love it. I have a 2003 Kia Spectra (bought new in 03), but I wanted to move up to a v6 (amazing power!!)so I decided to go with the Rondo. It has tons of cargo space. I personally love the body type...I call it my mini-mini van, and the roomy interior is very nice. The Rondo is great for people who want the roominess of a mini van but do not have a large family to transport. I chose the style with no third seat in back, so I have a great place to keep my two dogs.. out of my way. They love it! The only thing I do not like is the color, which is black cherry. Kind of looks like a hearst. But overall I am very happy with my Rondo. I would definitely reccomend buying a Rondo.

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy