Kia Rondo Owner Reports

joel41

To the person who got the Lemon Rhondo, I'm sorry to hear that. I have had more than my share of lemons in the past.

I pruchased mine almost new as a deonstrator with 10,800 miles. It was $200 more than the 10 year old Honda CRV with 110,000 miles on it on the same lot.

I can't say enough positive about this car. The Rhondo must have been designed by a real sized person who actually uses his cars. It has been the Best car I have ever owned. I am 6' tall, 250 lb and have more than ample head and leg room. My dad is 6,2" and had more than enough head and leg room in the rear seat.

The visability and leg room is better than my Dodge Caravan.

With the V6, there is more than enough zip to get in and out of traffic on the freeway. On a country straight away, I decided to "test it" and got up to 110 mph and it was still accelorating. The car can be "fun to drive" when I decide to drive that way. Over all I need a car that gets up to speed when entering the freeway without worrying about the the semi already at highway speed. More than enough here.

While the doors may be an issue in tight parking, I love the fact that the actually open all the way so you can get a box the size of the door in the back (unlike my dad's Buick). Controlls are easy to reach and use while driving. I do a lot of hauling with this car (boxes, dogs, camping gear etc,) its great.

The only neatives I have found are at 27 mph, my Caravan got that (sometimes beter). I was disappointed when the brake pads needed replacing at 30k miles. The dealer said it was because they can no longer use asbestos for break pads, and at 56k miles they may need replacing again.

The heater can cook you out even at sub zero temperatures. I never could get warm in my Caravan. The black dash board dose make the car hot in the summer but it dose keep glare down.

Overall, I would buy another Rhondo in a heart beat and family members are looking for them as their next vehicle. Unfortunately, they are no longer being imported to the U.S.

garnermike

Thanks for your report on your Rondo (no "h" in that name).

I now have 48K on my 2007 LX, 4-cyl. Still the best new car I have ever owned (and I've owned MANY).
If you are consistently getting 27 mpg in mixed driving with the V6, count your blessings. I get 21 city, 29 hwy, 24 mixed with my 4-cyl.
I just had my brakes replaced (rotors, pads all around). On one hand, getting to 48K with the original brakes is quite good---especially compared to all the American brands I have ever owned. Plus, to get that total brake job done for $800 was very reasonable; I was expecting much higher.
Wish Kia still offered the Rondo in the USA. I'd be buying a new one in about 18 months if it was available. Nothing out there right now offers the mpg, flat 70 cf of cargo room, and great low price that the Rondo does/did.

9394

too bad the Rondo is discontinued in the US, may be that's why the Rondo is still stuck with the 4 speed tranny (in the 2.4L) while most of the other KIAs and HYUNDAIs have 6 speed which would definitely improve its gas mileage.

ncbound712

Ok, I purchased my 2007 Kia Rondo in March. So far I love it. Rides nice, etc. However, my Kia did not come with an instruction manual. Lately, my CD won't eject and sometimes the controls on the steering column or the button on the stereo won't recognize that there is a CD in there or eject the one that is in there. I like the CD but not for it to be the only CD in there. Anyone have suggestions that I could do?

9394

you can download the manual in PDF format from:
https://www.kiatechinfo.com

.

biogirl

You are very lucky and probably only one who hasn't had problems with this stupid car. I have had every problem imaginable and before recalls were issued. I was told how crazy I was and didn't have any issues it was just me being a girl and didn't know what I was talking about...that made me mad!! And now almost 5 years after buying it, I now have another serious problem, if I drive when it's wet out, then my check engine light, brake indicator and seatbelt lights come on along with loud screeching and grinding sound and lose power steering and steering wheel and brakes lock up. Not good with my kid in the car and while in traffic! Needless to say, come Monday if they have no clue what's wrong, I'll be left with looking for a new car. My last car was original Kia sportage and LOVED it, NEVER had a problem (owned for 7 years) until someone hit me almost totaling it. I think there is a very good reason they no longer sell them in the US. I don't think anyone would buy it with all current problems on the existing ones. Good luck and hope you never experience the problems I have had and have to constantly take off work (not good for a single mom) and not to mention fearing for my and my daughters life everytime there's a new issue! :sick:

garnermike

I have been in similar situations to yours with 3 other new cars that I have bought in my lifetime. It happens. But I've not sworn off those makes/models; in 2 cases, I bought another car of the same make later. Again, one can always get a bad car that is not representative of the model or car company as a whole.
You are feeling frustrated and angry. I certainly understand that, given what you'be been through, and you can bad-mouth the particular Rondo you own. However, I am not, as you put it, "probably the only one who hasn't had problems with this stupid car." Just see all the generally positive posts in this forum (and forums are notorious for being weighed toward whiner comments). Also, your saying "I don't think anyone would buy it with all current problems on the existing ones" doesn't jive with the feelings of many on this forum nor with repair/problem track records kept by watchdog consumer groups. Your bad feeling towards the Rondo is certainly your opinion, but again, it's merely that, your opinion. And mine is merely that the Rondo has been a great vehicle, meeting all my needs with minimal repair and upkeep issues and expenses.

ofionnachta

So sorry you seem to have caught a lemon! I have an 09 Rondo, 4 cyl & we are delighted with it. The only problem it has had was the "Check Engine" light not wanting to go ff after the servicing dates. But then it did turn off, so go figure.

We do service it and change things that need changing and I make my husband change the oil at 3 - 3500k.

I'm not that happy with the mileage but I get way better than my husband does, so it has a lot to do with the "weight" of the foot. I have gotten 35 on highway, though not often, more like 28-29 on a good day. I get 23-24 city.

I would buy another one in a minute, but they don't sell them here any more.. The size is perfect for our needs and I love the great views all around from the big windows. Kia took them out of the US because they wanted to push buyers into the Sorento. We'll use this one until it dies and then we'll look around & see if anyone has decided to offer this size & type vehicle in the US. I hate SUVs, can't stand feeling like a little doll in a tank. Good luck with your Rondo & I hope it deos better in future!