Topic: Test Drive: 2014 Kia Rondo EX Luxury

[Autos_Editor]

Perhaps one of the best alternatives available to those that need space and utility in a smaller package - and a great value too? What's not to like?

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[JohnM]

An amazing amount of gear in that package.   Obviously a very nice place to be.

However, with alternatives like the Prius V around, I simply could not live with the fuel consumption.  The only justification for going with the Rondo would be if you regularly carried more than 4 small kids in the car.

I can see a lot of people being swept away by the package and value (ie toys/$) though.

Cheers,
John M.

[quadzilla]

However, with alternatives like the Prius V around, I simply could not live with the fuel consumption.

I agree. With the small HP/TQ numbers the fuel economy numbers aren't that great and real world will probably be worse.  My buddy has the previous gen Rondo and I've driven it a few times. A super functional micro-van that does what it should except get descent fuel economy. Even my GTI+ can easily beat it on every drive we have done.

I'd actually like to drive the new one to see how it compares and see if its as functional as the previous gen.

[redman]

Vehicle seems well packaged and sort of a GTI want to be.

Here is a clear case where the ingredients just don't equate to "the proof is in the pudding" phrase. D.I. engine & Six speed auto but still poor fuel economy.

[carcrazed]

Vehicle seems well packaged and sort of a GTI want to be.

Here is a clear case where the ingredients just don't equate to "the proof is in the pudding". D.I. engine & Six speed auto but still poor fuel economy.

Heavy car + smallish engine will do that to fuel economy.  They should at least have a 2.4L from Optima as an option.

[redman]

Vehicle seems well packaged and sort of a GTI want to be.

Here is a clear case where the ingredients just don't equate to "the proof is in the pudding". D.I. engine & Six speed auto but still poor fuel economy.

Heavy car + smallish engine will do that to fuel economy.  They should at least have a 2.4L from Optima as an option.

Seems like Ford is finding out similar with their new ecoboost engines.

[aquadorhj]

Vehicle seems well packaged and sort of a GTI want to be.

Here is a clear case where the ingredients just don't equate to "the proof is in the pudding". D.I. engine & Six speed auto but still poor fuel economy.

Heavy car + smallish engine will do that to fuel economy.  They should at least have a 2.4L from Optima as an option.

Seems like Ford is finding out similar with their new ecoboost engines.

it's always been this case, though.... 

small engines in heavy cars always use as much fuel as big engines.  been this way since the beginning of ...  i dunno.. automobile?

so why do manufacturers even bother putting in small engines at all?.   do they test better in EPA ratings?

[JacobBlack]

so why do manufacturers even bother putting in small engines at all?.   do they test better in EPA ratings?

Be sure not to confuse the magic-sky-land numbers of the Energuide ratings to the EPA, EPA ratings are actually very accurate according to all of our testing.
But my belief is that smaller engines are better accepted from a marketing point of view, plus they test better in some other fuel economy tests (Energuide for example) and I think they are probably cheaper to make in many instances.

[Firm]

Just spent last week with one of these; I was getting about 9L/100 in mixed commuting (from west Mississauga to Midtown) at rush hour. Maybe not the best economy available in the class, but I thought it was worth the compromise for how nice the interior and features are....Plus, it I found it actually kinda fun to drive - very agile for something with a third row, even if it is baby third row.

[Solstice2006]

Just spent last week with one of these; I was getting about 9L/100 in mixed commuting (from west Mississauga to Midtown) at rush hour. Maybe not the best economy available in the class, but I thought it was worth the compromise for how nice the interior and features are....Plus, it I found it actually kinda fun to drive - very agile for something with a third row, even if it is baby third row.

9L sounds about right, when using fuelly as a comparison.  There are only 2 samples, but better than energuide. I average 8.5L to 9L in my Mazda5. 

http://www.fuelly.com/car/kia/rondo

http://www.fuelly.com/car/mazda/5

It's a good effort from Kia, much better than the Orlando.  I can't remember if you can get 2nd row captains chairs, I prefer them.  It will be interesting to see how many luxury trims sell, I am sure the price is ok, but many of those options I find wasteful. 

[Solstice2006]

so why do manufacturers even bother putting in small engines at all?.   do they test better in EPA ratings?

Be sure not to confuse the magic-sky-land numbers of the Energuide ratings to the EPA, EPA ratings are actually very accurate according to all of our testing.
But my belief is that smaller engines are better accepted from a marketing point of view, plus they test better in some other fuel economy tests (Energuide for example) and I think they are probably cheaper to make in many instances.

I agree the EPA is fairly accurate.  However in this case, the Rondo is not sold in the US.  So I would recommend consumers read multiple reviews, and other sources to get an average of the fuel economy of this car.

[nlm]

Tom, did you get a chance to see how tight the middle seat in the 2nd row would be when flanked by child seats, or a child seat and a booster?

[JacobBlack]

I agree the EPA is fairly accurate.  However in this case, the Rondo is not sold in the US.  So I would recommend consumers read multiple reviews, and other sources to get an average of the fuel economy of this car.

Um, the reference to the EPA had nothing to do with this car.. it was in reference to a question about why the manufacturers put small engines in large cars....

[dkaz]

Two cars on Fuelly show 8.8 L/100km. Not bad.

The 2014 Mazda 5 will not be Skyactiv so Rondo still has a chance to run away with this model for another year.

[JacobBlack]

Tom, did you get a chance to see how tight the middle seat in the 2nd row would be when flanked by child seats, or a child seat and a booster?

We did when we did our comparo: http://www.autos.ca/car-comparisons/comparison-test-2014-kia-rondo-vs-2013-mazda5/?all=1
Here's a photo:
http://www.autos.ca/galleries/2013/index.php?level=picture&id=12845
It's not too bad.

[Wildsau]

Tom, did you get a chance to see how tight the middle seat in the 2nd row would be when flanked by child seats, or a child seat and a booster?

Jacob beat me to it. But yes, it's actually pretty good, width-wise. Though our two bigger kids headed for the third row, I made them try out the second with all three of them in there, and they were fine - that's with a child seat and a booster, and one kid sitting without anything under them in the middle.

Tight but manageable for an adult, if need be.

[conwelpic]

this is from the EX 5-seater model but these dimensions maybe helpful

[Snowman]

Tom, did you get a chance to see how tight the middle seat in the 2nd row would be when flanked by child seats, or a child seat and a booster?

We did when we did our comparo: http://www.autos.ca/car-comparisons/comparison-test-2014-kia-rondo-vs-2013-mazda5/?all=1
Here's a photo:
http://www.autos.ca/galleries/2013/index.php?level=picture&id=12845
It's not too bad.

  Are you 5' tall?

[Ex-airbalancer]

Tom, did you get a chance to see how tight the middle seat in the 2nd row would be when flanked by child seats, or a child seat and a booster?

We did when we did our comparo: http://www.autos.ca/car-comparisons/comparison-test-2014-kia-rondo-vs-2013-mazda5/?all=1
Here's a photo:
http://www.autos.ca/galleries/2013/index.php?level=picture&id=12845
It's not too bad.

  Are you 5' tall?

i think your son looks older 

[Snowman]

Tom, did you get a chance to see how tight the middle seat in the 2nd row would be when flanked by child seats, or a child seat and a booster?

We did when we did our comparo: http://www.autos.ca/car-comparisons/comparison-test-2014-kia-rondo-vs-2013-mazda5/?all=1
Here's a photo:
http://www.autos.ca/galleries/2013/index.php?level=picture&id=12845
It's not too bad.

  Are you 5' tall?

i think your son looks older 

My son is 6'-1" and is starting to wear my stuff