Video: Driving Northwest: The Kia Rondo will surprise you

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Advertising. Every year, billions of dollars are spent on messages that we as consumers generally distrust. Can you blame us? Guys, when is the last time a beautiful woman wrapped themselves around you because you’ve shaved with a Gillette razor? Ladies, has Fabio ever appeared after you’ve popped the top off a tub of “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter”? No. These things don’t happen in the real world.  And that’s OK because Fabio would just want to stick around and mooch dinner. Of course you are serving “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” so maybe not.

Ads use slogans and Kia’s is “The Power to Surprise.” It’s no “Just Do It” but in the case of the Rondo EX I’ve been driving for the past week, it works. It has The Power. 

Surprise! This smaller sized vehicle can seat seven. People that peer into the back are universally shocked. The third row is optional on certain models. No, you won’t want to tote big folks for long distances but generally seven will be happy if two are kids. My 5-foot 9-inch frame is OK in row #3 if the travel time is short and those in row #2 adjust their sliding seat to provide some legroom. When the way back isn’t being used, the middle seat can be adjusted for limo-like leg room.

And now for something completely different.

Generally it’s easy to categorize a vehicle as a van, crossover or SUV, but not Rondo. This pleasantly wedge-shaped rig is sort of a wagon hatchback thingy. Not an elegant description but pretty accurate. Mazda5 is the closest competitor to this Kia but it only seats six. Rondo doesn’t have sliding doors like Mazda5 but they do open a full 90 degrees to help load squirming kids into their car seats. 

As required in a family hauler there are cup holders and storage cubbies everywhere. The middle row slides fore and aft, splits, reclines, and folds flat. It all works simply and easily. Don’t show friends how big it is with all the seats down or they’ll be calling you on moving day.

Little big car

Seats for seven in a vehicle that’s an inch and a half longer than Honda’s Civic means there’s no surprise that something has to give. Try and load a bundle of warehouse bath tissue into the cargo hold with the third row up and the hatch will not shut. Really though, they’ll only be used occasionally which is why the TP test is always done with them down. With the second row adjusted so passengers retain circulation in their legs, Rondo gobbles up an impressive 13 packs. That’s one more than a Honda CR-V, one less than Mazda5. Surprise. You don’t always need a large car to haul large things. 

The power surprise

Another Rondo curveball? The one I’m driving is motivated by a 182 horsepower V6. It’s optional, base models motor with a 162 4-cylinder but the EPA fuel economy rating aren’t that much different. The EPA rates the 4 banger at 19 city, 26 highway. The 6 gets 18/26 so why not go for more oomph? Besides, it comes with a 5-speed automatic transmission and it must be ordered to get the $500 third row. The 4-cylinder makes do with a 4-speed tranny. In mostly hard city driving in sloppy rainy weather I’m seeing 16 mpg, meaning you will most likely get better mileage. 

With the V6, the front wheel drive Rondo feels quick though it’s not a rocket. 0-60 in around 8.5 seconds is about average these days. At highway speeds it’s on the quieter side. Keeping up with traffic that’s ignoring the speed limit on I-5 finds just a just a touch of wind noise off the front pillars. Cornering is nimble around town and the size is great for weaving through city traffic. Ride quality is comfortable so there’s some body roll when aggressively throwing Rondo into a curve. Really though, is it any surprise that the typical Rondo owner will seldom do that? Family Speed Racers will choose the Mazda.

The inside story

The Rondo EX in my keep has every option available so the comfortable seats are covered in leather. Heated too. The instrument panel is hard plastic and the black-on-black color scheme is perhaps a bit too dark, but overall the materials have a quality look. Controls have a smooth, consistent feel. Big windows provide excellent visibility. The Infinity system sounds great and has an aux jack in the center console for MP3 players. Order it and a sunroof comes along for the ride. A hook for bags and purses near the front passenger is a simple but functional touch. My wife loves it.

A few gripes: The leather wrapped steering wheel gets stereo controls and a tilt feature but doesn’t telescope. Want a built in nav system or Bluetooth phone connection? Sorry, not available. The front cup holders are simply large molded spaces so a grande cup of Starbucks will tip precariously in hard cornering. Perhaps there are spacers but my tester that has endured many auto writers didn’t have them. I wedged a bunch of napkins in to keep hot java off my Levis.

A safe surprise

For the safety minded, Rondo generally scores 5 stars in government crash tests. In rear seat side impact and rollover tests it snags 4 stars. Front seats get side torso airbags and active headrests for whiplash protection. It’s no surprise that avoiding the accident altogether is the best strategy to keep the six airbags form deploying. Helping out are standard electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes. 

The final surprise

The biggest marvel Rondo offers up is price. With a 10-year powertrain warrantee (five-year basic), this fully maxed out Rondo stickers for $23,495. Yes, that includes destination. FYI, J. D. Powers 2008 Initial Quality Study finds the Kia brand to be average, rated about the same as Buick, Nissan, Acura and Volvo. And let me say this: In a world where engineers complicate our lives with confusing interfaces, this car is refreshingly straightforward. It may not be sexy but Rondo’s power to surprise comes from its ability to do most everything a family of four needs. In that regard, it quietly lives up to Kia’s advertising slogan.