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2009 Kia Rondo Review

STYLING | 5 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Less glamorous than a minivan...ugh
Car and Driver

Friendly face has few edges
Cars.com

Lack of pizzazz
Edmunds

Clean lines
Kelley Blue Book

an attractive design
New York Times

Inside and out, TheCarConnection.com notices that reviewers have little to get excited about when assessing the 2009 Kia Rondo’s styling.

The Rondo is built for room, not for sex appeal, with its tall, bulbous profile and five-door configuration. Car and Driver's review was perhaps the least complimentary, comparing the 2009 Kia Rondo unfavorably to the quintessential, dowdy, frumpy "soccer mom" vehicle, the minivan: "the Rondo ain't no Corvette in terms of sex appeal." Acknowledging the existence of body accessory kits, this source weighs in with its final judgment: "even with all the tack-ons, no Rondo seems capable of setting our loins ablaze."

Cars.com states that the Kia Rondo's only "sign of aggression" is a "sharp air dam that's probably bigger than it needs to be." Damning with faint praise, the reviewer acknowledges this vehicle's "friendly face" and notes that there are “few edges”—we’re not sure if that’s a positive.

Other reviewers warm up to the design because of its inherent practicality. The New York Times describes the Rondo Kia's appearance as "an attractive design" with a qualifier: "the boxy shape shouts minivan." The nearby Long Island paper New York Newsday calls it "reasonably stylish," and Kelley Blue Book deems it "an attractive choice...a very inviting daily driver"—although TheCarConnection.com notes that these comments go beyond the vehicle's appearance.

Interior design is another story; most sources are quite thrilled about it. Edmunds states that the vehicle lacks "pizzazz," but it praises the interior, as does the New York Times, which calls it "attractive and functional."

More than one source praises visibility from behind the wheel, including Edmunds, deeming it "good."

Conclusion

If you believe that looks aren’t everything, then you might like the Kia Rondo.


Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

Closest to the 2009 Kia Rondo in size—at least in the U.S. market—is the Mazda5. But unlike the Rondo, the Mazda5 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. However, the Rondo is quieter and more refined, rides better, and has a space that’s more easily reconfigured than in the Rondo. The Chevrolet HHR and Chrysler PT Cruiser are other alternatives; both offer retro styling and flexible cargo arrangements, but neither has a third-row seat. The Scion xB is quite fuel-efficient compared to these other models, but its boxy interior somehow doesn’t translate to that much interior space. Finally, the new Toyota Venza is another larger rival. It’s a tall, carlike wagon offering a standard four-cylinder engine and roomy seating for five, but the Venza’s lower, sleeker profile doesn’t yield as much cargo space inside as some of the others.

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See the Kia Rondo in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007

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