2010 Kia Rondo vs. Its Competition

Bengt Halvorson Senior Editor

There are few small people-movers in the U.S.

market, but nothing quite like the 2010 Kia Rondo.

The closest offering is the Mazda5, which has sliding doors and looks a little more like a compact minivan.

But you’re bound for surprise once you get behind the wheel of the "5"—it’s a lot peppier and fun to drive, especially with the manual transmission.

The Rondo leaves a more conservative impression, with a dowdy appearance matched with a more comfortable and quieter interior, plus a more easily reconfigurable space.

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 boxy exterior of the latest generation of the Scion xB somehow doesn’t translate to much interior space, though it is attractive and fuel-efficient.

If you want to go larger, you might take a look at the base four-cylinder version of the Toyota Venza.

It’s not significantly larger for interior space but it feels like a more substantial vehicle, and it includes a more richly appointed interior.