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2009 Kia Rondo Quality Review

February 23, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

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

Composed and comfortable
ConsumerGuide

high-quality interior design
Edmunds

Most of the reviews consulted by TheCarConnection.com have nothing but accolades for the comfort and interior quality of the 2009 Kia Rondo.

ConsumerGuide concludes 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.”

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

Most sources have positive things to say about the ride quality inside. However, New York Newsday reports that the "Rondo's ride was almost always comfortable," though noting that when driving over some rough pavement at highway speed, the Rondo Kia is "a bouncing and unpleasant place to be." On the other hand, Jalopnik reports a cushy ride, saying that the suspension is "geared towards multiple human comfort over taut steering response," but doesn't report any of these unpleasantries.

Ride quality in TheCarConnection.com’s experience with the Rondo is very soft but absorbent rather than bouncy.

TheCarConnection.com’s take is that carrying humans is what the 2009 Kia Rondo does best, but it also has the enviable ability to carry cargo as well.  The available third row, as in many of its competitors, is designed for little people, not adults.  There is 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 2009 Kia Rondo provides lots of versatility and comfort.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:a smooth ride and an eerie absence of tire noiseCar and DriverComposed and comfortableConsumerGuidehigh-quality interior designEdmunds Most of the reviews consulted by TheCarConnection.com have nothing but accolades for the comfort and interior quality of the 2009 Kia Rondo. ConsumerGuide concludes 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.” New York Newsday praises the adjustable seats. They "emerged remarkably ache-free after a couple of two-hour stints behind the wheel," but suggest that lateral support leaves something to be desired. Most sources have positive things to say about the ride quality inside. However, New York Newsday reports that the "Rondo's ride was almost always comfortable," though noting that when driving over some rough pavement at highway speed, the Rondo Kia is "a bouncing and unpleasant place to be." On the other hand, Jalopnik reports a cushy ride, saying that the suspension is "geared towards multiple human comfort over taut steering response," but doesn't report any of these unpleasantries. Ride quality in TheCarConnection.com’s experience with the Rondo is very soft but absorbent rather than bouncy. TheCarConnection.com’s take is that carrying humans is what the 2009 Kia Rondo does best, but it also has the enviable ability to carry cargo as well.  The available third row, as in many of its competitors, is designed for little people, not adults.  There is 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 2009 Kia Rondo provides lots of versatility and comfort.  2009 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 Times: "an attractive design" Inside and out, TheCarConnection.com notices that ...

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:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

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