2010 Kia Rondo - Page 1 Review

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Shopping for a 2010 Kia Rondo? MSRP: $19,195

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Whether you see it as an interesting alternative to the traditional minivan or a tall-roof hatchback or wagon, the 2010 Kia Rondo remains a unique vehicle in the market. With an unbelievably roomy, minivan-like interior layout—in five- or seven-passenger seating—paired with backdoors that are hinged, not sliding, the 2010 Kia Rondo is definitely a little weird-looking but redeems itself for a number of reasons.

The Rondo is built for room, not for sex appeal, with its tall, bulbous profile and five-door configuration eking three available rows of seating out of a footprint that’s barely larger than that of a compact car. From some angles the Rondo appears downright awkward, but the rounded silhouette looks reasonably attractive, thanks to its overall simplicity and lack of gimmicky details. Inside, too, the emphasis is on functionality, with an unremarkable instrument panel design that locates the shifter at the bottom, not as part of the center console.

The 2010 Kia Rondo certainly won’t win any drag races. Powertrain options remain a 175-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder or 192-hp, 2.7-liter V-6. Between the two, there’s very little difference in actual thrust, so we recommend the more affordable four-cylinder engine, which is smooth and slightly more fuel-efficient. Both engines are paired with an automatic transmission that shifts smoothly and comes with a +/- shift gate for manual control. Maneuverability is very impressive in the Rondo, and it’s especially easy to park, but it doesn’t handle with the sharpness of the better minivans or sport wagons.