2007 Kia Rondo First Impressions

Jack of all trades

2007 Kia Rondo (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123.com)

Vancouver, B.-C. - When a station wagon isn't big enough, but a minivan is too bulky, it's time for consumers to check out some alternatives. In the last couple of years, there have been a growing number of such vehicles.

But first, allow me to flashback about 15 years. Remember the Dodge Colt and Eagle Summit Wagons, and the Nissan Axxess? They were tall wagons with sliding side doors, spacious interiors, and fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines. They lasted a few years, but compact SUVs became the trend, looking much more fashionable than kiddie haulers.

But let's face it; small sport-utilities may be cute and all, but many of them just aren't spacious or practical enough for families on a budget. And

2007 Kia Rondo EX (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123.com)

shopping minivans can be discouraging, since they aren't exactly 'mini' anymore, and they're all equipped with fuel-thirsty V6 engines. Then, vehicles such as the Toyota Matrix, the Pontiac Vibe and the Mazda5 came along, helping parents get some affordable wheels to motor their family around.

Now, here's another one: the new Kia Rondo. The company is calling it "Canada's first urban-utility vehicle", which doesn't really mean anything. I'll call it a tall wagon, or a mini-minivan, thank you. Whichever way you categorize it, though, what's important is that it will send a few manufacturers back to their drawing boards.

Visually, it looks like a cross between a Magentis and a Jeep Compass. It's got the same front-end look as Kia's mid-size sedan, but with a more aggressively-styled bumper. Overall, the shape is clean, sporty, and attractive. The dimensions of the Rondo are similar than those of the

2007 Kia Rondo EX (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123.com)

Mazda5; the Kia is slightly shorter in wheelbase and overall length, but it's wider and higher. The Rondo is a few centimeters more spacious in about every inside dimension than the Mazda, save for the cargo area behind the 3rd-row seat. As for the Toyota Matrix, the Kia is bigger in every dimension.

The Rondo also has a choice of two engines, which can both be found in the Magentis: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that's good for 162 horsepower and which is bolted to a four-speed automatic with manual mode. A 2.7-liter V6 with 182 horsepower and five-speed automatic with manual mode is optional. No manual transmission is offered.

2007 Kia Rondo EX (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123.com)

There are five trim levels available on the built-in-Korea Rondo. The base LX, which starts at $19,995, includes features such as six airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, traction control, power windows and mirrors, power locks, a CD player with 4 speakers, 16-inch alloy wheels, and 5-passenger seating. According to Dean Tesser, Director of Sales and Marketing, Kia expects the LX to account for only 5% of total sales.