2007-2008 Kia Rondo: Full Review

Updated: 11/23/08

2007 Kia Rondo
2008 Kia Rondo
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2007-2008 Kia Rondo ▼

  • Price Range:  $9,900 - $14,600
CG Rating

64

out of 100

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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2007-2008 Kia Rondo and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.

Pros

  • Seat comfort
  • Cargo room
  • Quietness
  • Ride

Cons

  • Acceleration (4-cyl)
  • Engine noise (4-cyl)
  • Back doors difficult in tight parking spots

Vehicle Highlights

Launched as a brand-new 2007 model, in size and price, this midsize front-wheel-drive wagon slotted between Kia's compact Spectra5 hatchback and midsize Sorento SUV. Derived from Kia's Optima sedan platform, the Rondo came in LX and EX trim levels, both of which were available with a four-cylinder or V6 engine. Unlike Kia's Sportage and Sorento, the Rondo was not offered with all-wheel or four-wheel drive. In the music world, Rondo means "forward motion." Five-passenger seating was standard. An optional 60/40 split-folding third-row bench could increase seating capacity to seven. With the third row installed, the 60/40 split second-row seat could slide forward more than a foot. Kia claimed 32 distinct seating configurations. Four-cylinder models had 162 horsepower and a four-speed automatic transmission. Kia's V6 engine produced 182 horsepower, mating with a five-speed automatic. Both automatics permitted manually-selected gear changes. Large door openings rival those on minivans. Antilock braking and an antiskid system were standard. All Rondos contained front side airbags and curtain side airbags that covered all seating rows. Power windows, locks, and mirrors were standard. Air conditioning, a CD player, and 16-inch alloy wheels were standard on the LX model. The EX added 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome highlights, fog lamps, cruise control, and an upgraded audio system. Leather upholstery was available for EX models as part of a package that included heated front seats. Rondo's rivals included the Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Mazda5, Pontiac Vibe, Subaru Outback, and Toyota RAV4 or Matrix.

Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)

Category Rondo EX V6 Rating
Performance 5
Fuel Economy 5
Ride Quality 6
Steering/Handling/Braking 5
Quietness 7
Controls/Materials 7
Interior Room 7
Room/Comfort (rear) 6
Cargo Capacity 6
Value within Class 10
Total Score: 64
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2007-2008 Kia Rondo. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2007-2008 Kia Rondo.

Year to Year Changes


2008 Kia Rondo: Except for the addition of an auxiliary input jack for MP3 players, little changed for the 2008 model year.

Our road test for the 2007-2008 Kia Rondo includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2007-2008 Kia Rondo and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2007-2008 Kia Rondo is right for you.

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

With the four-cylinder engine, Rondo has adequate power from a stop, but struggles to gather speed for passing and merging. The V6 is modestly more potent around town and at highway speeds, but midrange power could be better. Fuel economy isn't the best. Test V6 models have averaged 23.2 mpg in mostly highway driving. An extended-use EX V6 averaged 20.6 mpg overall. Rondos use regular-grade gasoline. Expect a composed and comfortable ride, even over larger road imperfections. Some floatiness is noted at highway speeds. Rondo handles like a midsize front-drive wagon-precisely what it is. That means it's more than competent, with direct steering, though Rondo exhibits some body lean in fast corners. Quiet running at cruising speed is a virtue, as Rondos are well isolated from road and wind noise. Kia's four-cylinder engine lacks refinement and sounds coarse at moderate to full throttle. The more refined V6 is less intrusive overall. Large gauges are easily read, and major controls are logically placed. Interior materials and assembly quality are impressive for this price class, with leather seating appearing especially upscale. Two quibbles: the LCD clock can be hard to read in some lighting conditions, and the dome light illuminates the rear-seat area but leaves front occupants in the dark. Front occupants get ample legroom, coupled with a high roof, chair-height seats, and large glass area to give the cabin a spacious, airy feel. Visibility is generally good, though thick rear roof pillars obscure over-the-shoulder views. Headroom and legroom are good in the backseat. Large doors aid entry and exit, but are cumbersome in tight parking spots. The second-row seat splits 60/40, and adjusts fore and aft on models with the optional third-row seat. Back-row seats are easy to access with second row fully forward, and offer tolerable short-trip comfort for two adults. A large rear opening and low load floor make the most of available cargo space, though the hatch does not rise far enough for six-footers to stand beneath without stooping. Second- and third-row seats fold flat. So does the front passenger seat, forming eight continuous feet of cargo space. Below-floor bins in models without the third-row seat provide handy small-item storage. The glovebox has adequate space, but the two-tiered center console is too small for anything beyond a few CDs.
Value for the Money
Kia has called Rondo a crossover vehicle, but its car-like design and lack of available all-wheel drive land it squarely in the wagon camp. Judged in that mode, its roomy interior, flexible cargo accommodations, and attractive new-car pricing make Rondo worth a look. Compared to its likely rivals, the Rondo scores around average in resale value, so used models may be reasonably-priced but not necessarily huge bargains.

Expert Ratings Summary

Category Rondo EX V6 Rating
Performance 5
Fuel Economy 5
Ride Quality 6
Steering/Handling/Braking 5
Quietness 7
Controls/Materials 7
Interior Room 7
Room/Comfort (rear) 6
Cargo Capacity 6
Value within Class 10
Total Score: 64

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Kia Rondo includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Kia Rondo .

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Check-engine light: On vehicles with the 2.7L V6 engine, the check engine light may come on due to an erroneous air intake temperature signal requiring update to the powertrain control module. (2007)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.
Item Name Repair Cost
A/C Compressor $1,180
Alternator $850
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $2,500
Brakes $580
Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing $760
Constant Velocity Joints $1,700
Exhaust System $610
Radiator $670
Shocks and/or Struts $1,160
Timing Chain or Belt $1,200
Our price chart for this generation Kia Rondo details a range of prices in year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Prices Good Average Poor
2008
Rondo EX $14,200-16,000 $12,900-14,600 $8,700-9,800
Rondo LX $12,800-14,500 $11,600-13,200 $7,300-8,300
2007
Rondo EX $12,000-13,500 $10,800-12,200 $6,700-7,600
Rondo LX $11,000-12,500 $9,900-11,300 $5,900-6,800
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.
Specs for this generation Kia Rondo include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification 4-door wagon
Wheelbase, in. 106.3
Overall Length, in. 179.0
Overall Width, in. 71.7
Overall Height, in. 65.0
Curb Weight, lbs. 3333
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 35.0
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 15.8
Seating Capacity 7
Front Head Room, in. 41.6
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 41.3
Rear Head Room, in. 40.2
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 38.2

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Two powertrains have been available: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission, and a 182-horsepower, 2.7-liter V6 with a five-speed automatic. All Rondos have front-drive.
Engines Size liters /
cu. in		 Horse- power Torque Transmission:
EPA city/hgwy		 Consumer Guide Observed
dohc I41 2.4 / 144 162 164 4-speed automatic: 19/26 4-speed automatic: --
dohc V6 2.7 / 163 182 182 5-speed automatic: 18/26 5-speed automatic: 20.6
1 / -- --

1. EPA Note: Figures shown are for 2008 models. The Environmental Protection Agency changed its procedure for 2008 to yield more realistic estimates. Therefore, estimated mileage is lower than for prior years.

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Built In:  South Korea
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Kia Rondo include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test 2008 Kia Rondo
Front Impact, Driver 5
Front Impact, Passenger 5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.


No Recall History is available at this time.


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