Car Information

What is the Kia Rondo? Kia likes to call the Rondo a crossover utility vehicle, which is the trendy catchphrase these days. The only problem is that the Rondo looks more like a small minivan. In Europe and Asia, this type of vehicle -- known as "space wagon MPV" -- is quite popular. In fact, the Rondo has been sold in those markets (as the Kia Carens) for years.

But whatever label you prefer to put on the Kia Rondo, it's still a vehicle with a good amount of functionality and flexibility for its size and price. The four-door Rondo can carry up to seven passengers. It's nimble and filled with clever storage space. If you're in the market for a compact crossover or something smaller than a minivan, the Rondo is worth a careful comparison.

Current Kia Rondo

Although there's nothing fancy about the Kia Rondo, it still manages to overachieve in many areas. Available in two trims, LX and EX, the Rondo is nicely equipped from the base model on up. Even the lowest LX trim comes with important safety features, such as stability control and antilock brakes. Other satisfying standard features include 16-inch wheels, air-conditioning, full power accessories and an audio system with CD player and auxiliary audio jack. A third row of seats is optional on the LX and standard on the EX, which boosts total capacity to seven people.

Moving up to the EX trim level adds 17-inch wheels, leather upholstery, heated seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Other options include a sunroof, a navigation system, an iPod adapter and an upgraded stereo.

Whichever Rondo trim you choose, there are two engine options. The base engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder good for 175 horsepower, although in California-emissions states, the SULEV-rated version makes 167 hp. There's also a 2.7-liter V6 that puts out 192 hp regardless of where you purchase it. A four-speed automatic transmission is standard with the four-cylinder, and the V6 comes with a five-speed automatic. Both transmissions have the Sportmatic feature, which lets the driver select their own gears.

In spite of its small size, the Kia Rondo is very functional. With the third-row seating option, the Rondo seats up to seven passengers, though the third row is certainly best suited for children. The second-row seats slide fore and aft, and fold flat in a 60/40 split. The optional third-row seats also fold flat, but in a 50/50 split. And there is no shortage of storage, including 10 cupholders.

In road tests, our editors found the Kia Rondo to perform surprisingly well. Both the four-cylinder and V6 deliver smooth acceleration. The V6 is particularly responsive, offering punchy acceleration and commendable passing power. Its steering is decent, especially for a tallish family vehicle. Although we'd prefer less body roll, the Rondo never feels tipsy. In many everyday situations, such as parking and negotiating traffic, the Rondo can fool you into thinking you're actually in a small car, which is the point.