2007 Kia Rondo: Getting In, Gassing Up.
The Kia Rondo has endeared itself to many of our staff because of its pleasant personality. Believe it or not, most of the time we're not blazing around a race track or tearing down the quarter mile. Like most folks, we're usually either commuting (i.e. slogging) through "rush hour" traffic or running errands. The Rondo is smooth, quiet, roomy and comfortable. It's also easy for shorter people to get in and out of thanks to its low step-in. Though it may look like a compact crossover SUV, the Rondo is actually a tall wagon (AWD is not available) so the step-in height (measuring at 13 inches to the door sill) is lower than your typical crossover's. Just another way the Rondo reduces hassles.
We're overdue on a fuel mileage update (keep in mind that many of these miles are amassed in L.A.'s perpetual gridlock) so here ya go:
-- Best tank to date: 26.98
-- Worst tank to date: 14.27
-- Lifetime average: 19.2 mpg.
EPA's numbers come in at 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined.
Regarding the busted rear window, it's been replaced. The total cost was $389.57 ($289.57 for the glass and $100 for the install labor). Rumor has it that Mr. Sadlier has taken an axe to the offending and foolishly located cabinet that was the undoing of the Rondo's original rear window.
John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 9,115 miles.
Posted by John May 7, 2008 11:21 am
Permalink
Categories: 2007 Kia Rondo
730
- May 8, 2008 10:39 pm
(#11 Total: 11)
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Analpunjabi,
Sorry for getting all worked up at you around the UCLA campus.
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Well, you were near UCLA, my friend. Hehehe
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i so agree with him - where is a cop on those people who blow stop signs at 25 mph? Damn donut shops. Dont honk too much - another story - near UCLA I honked and flashed at this guy who sverved into me, and took my lane (he woulda hit me but I braked hard). He stopped his car and came out - he was an african american teenage-early 20's who stated " you don't know who could be in the car you are honking at" He played the race card me ( I am a minority also). So I stopped honking at people
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I think JDP would be a great vigilante!
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L.A. drivers are a dangerous combination of ignorance and arrogance. And it doesn't seem to matter what they're driving, though most times it seems to be some luxury brand SUV.
In a story very similar to yours, I recently had a "lady" give me a dirty look because I had the nerve to beep at her as she crossed over a double yellow, came straight at me and then swerved into the left turn lane on her side of the road. I also had someone flip me off because I beeped as he ran through a stop sign at a 4-way intersection.
Just ONCE I'd like to see a cop come out of nowhere and bag one of these dangerous morons.
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funny story:
I was driving on Ohio avenue in West LA. I stopped as a yellow light was turning red. Right as the light turned red, a rondo across the intersection from me gets into the left turn lane, overtakes the person in front of her, blasts through the intersection(Heading right at me), and then swerves back into her lane within 10 feet of hitting me. The perpendicular light had already turned green. All I could think about was:1. bad LA drivers and 2. Why would you do this in a rondo
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estreka
- May 7, 2008 1:43 pm
(#5 Total: 11)
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subarctic north - Great Falls, MT |
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"We all know the Focus is in the fleet for laughs"
lol, it really is.
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Tackepj
That's right...who needs a slow, cheap, boring, dull, non-performance car grocery getter like the Rondo when you can clearly get your groceries faster with the WRX?
In fact why does Edmunds have the Civic in their fleet? It doesn't go fast. We all know the Focus is in the fleet for laughs. Why is there a Buick on a car enthusiast site anyway? Pptthh, these guys are weak.
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tackepj
- May 7, 2008 1:14 pm
(#3 Total: 11)
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"Though it may look like a compact crossover SUV..."
It doesn't.
I always chuckle at posts featuring the Rondo, and how so much praise is given for rather the rather simplistic: "Wow, the Rondo has doors that open and seats inside. It goes forward in D and backwards in R. What a pleasant, competent vehicle!"
I suppose this is what's expected from a crew also spending considerable wheel time in cars like the M3 and Ford GT.
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I forgot to ask...
For those Rondo owners that have the 4-cyl... Is there a dramatic loss in performance with the smaller engine? or is it still adaquate for around town? Is there an advantage in MPG in buying the 4-cyl?
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"Rumor has it that Mr. Sadlier has taken an axe to the offending and foolishly located cabinet that was the undoing of the Rondo's original rear window."
That makes me giggle.
I'm recommending the Rondo for my parents as replacement for their DeVille. With Mom's knee problems and Dad's weight, the Rondo's elevated yet low step in height is perfect for them. Dad doesn't have to fall into the seat as he does with every car he's owned, and Mom doesn't have to struggle to stand up getting out of it.
Looks like it gets the same mileage of their Caddy too, which is good and bad I guess.
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