Tuneman1984
Oct 28, 09, 4:51 am
This had to happen eventually. And I figure what better way to celebrate my honourary 1,000th post on FlyerTalk? :D
Overview
The only model I've seen on fleet is the mid-range EX model (LX in USA) in 7-passenger configuration. However, for a mid-range model, it only comes one way: loaded. Power windows and locks, cruise control, ABS, ESC, Bluetooth, heated seats, USB port, and Sirius radio for 3 months in US models. I presume the reason National picked a loaded model was that the base model previously did not offer air conditioning. Kia has changed this, so there might be some more spartan-equipped models in the aisles shortly. Just a speculation, as I've yet to see one. Base models still come with the power options and safety features, however.
Performance
The Rondo is equipped with either a 175 hp 2.4L 4-cylinder or a 192 hp 2.7L V6. That being said, I've only seen and driven the 4-cylinder version. It's not a performance vehicle by any stretch of the imagination, but acceleration is more than adequate around the city and getting onto the highway. The Rondo is also a much better handler than one might expect given its shape; I've found it to be a stable contender at freeway speeds, unlike the Mazda5 which I found particularly wobbly over 60 MPH. All Rondos are equipped with anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control. In some extremely snowy conditions when I've driven the car, the ESC system is almost too intrusive; thankfully this is remedied by a lockout switch.
Fuel Economy
The Rondo 4-cylinder is rated 20 city/27 highway. Fuel economy is certainly not the car's strongest suit, as it fares worse than even some fullsize cars in National's fleet. Against it's direct competition on the aisle however, it falls just short of the Mazda5 (21/27), but WELL ahead of the PT Cruiser (19/24). Also consider this, the Rondo has more total room than some SUVs, all while walking away from them in fuel efficiency.
Entertainment
US renters can consider themselves lucky that a new Rondo will be equipped with a Sirius sat radio, whereas in Canada it's limited to the top-of-the-line V6 model. However, the Rondo makes up for this with the standard USB port, allowing iPod/mp3 player control through the car radio. Hook-up was very simple and the interface was easy to use. The Rondo also comes with Bluetooth, which unfortunately wasn't as easy to use. If I remember correctly, you aren't even told the code to enter to sync your phone with the car (I believe it's 1234). This caused some confusion initially. Also, once I got using it, I found the connection wasn't nearly as clear as either the Toyota Handsfree system or Ford's SYNC. It's still a nice feature to have, but it could use a bit more refinement.
Comfort
The driver's seating position is more upright than a regular intermediate car, which makes for a clear view of the road. The seat adjusts 6-ways so I found it very easy to find a comfortable position. The 2nd row seats appear to be adequate for two adults at best, but maybe 3 in a pinch. The 3rd row seats are mostly for show unfortunately, as to be expected in a car of this size. They're fine for small children (making this car a possible alternative to a Grand Caravan), but for adults it's best to limit the 3rd row seat usage to short trips only. Also, when the 3rd row is up, cargo space is limited to toiletry cases and maybe, just maybe, a few staples from the grocery. Fold the 3rd row down, however, and you've got more than enough room for 4 passengers and their gear. Fold down the 2nd row seats as well, and you've got an astonishing 73 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats. That's more than the PT Cruiser, Escape, and even the Grand Cherokee. It's for this reason I got to love this car for weekend errand running.
Convenience
As I mentioned in the overview, the Rondo is amazingly equipped for such a basic vehicle in nature. One great feature found on Canadian models is the heated windshield, which makes early winter mornings a cinch for getting defrosted. As well, Canadian Rondos also have heated seats standard on the EX model, effectively making this one of my favourite winter cars. Standard cruise control is nice to have, since it can be hit or miss on rental models these days. As well, most Rondos have steering wheel controls for the radio and Bluetooth connection.
Summary
In short, here is my impression of the 2009 Rondo:
Pros
Standard ESC
The most cargo room of any regular car in the fleet
Comes loaded!
Heated seats and windshield (Canada) for cold winter mornings
Comfortable driver's position
Cons
Would like to try the V6 model for more passing power
Fuel economy not the greatest
No Sirius in Canadian models
Bluetooth system needs improvement
If I have to get stuck with the same car rental after rental, I usually hope for a Rondo. It's a handy little vehicle that I've really grown to like more every time I rent it. However, I wouldn't choose it over something like a Fusion unless I absolutely needed the extra room. Thus, the Rondo represents a gem of a find on the aisle and a great SUV alternative.
Overview
The only model I've seen on fleet is the mid-range EX model (LX in USA) in 7-passenger configuration. However, for a mid-range model, it only comes one way: loaded. Power windows and locks, cruise control, ABS, ESC, Bluetooth, heated seats, USB port, and Sirius radio for 3 months in US models. I presume the reason National picked a loaded model was that the base model previously did not offer air conditioning. Kia has changed this, so there might be some more spartan-equipped models in the aisles shortly. Just a speculation, as I've yet to see one. Base models still come with the power options and safety features, however.
Performance
The Rondo is equipped with either a 175 hp 2.4L 4-cylinder or a 192 hp 2.7L V6. That being said, I've only seen and driven the 4-cylinder version. It's not a performance vehicle by any stretch of the imagination, but acceleration is more than adequate around the city and getting onto the highway. The Rondo is also a much better handler than one might expect given its shape; I've found it to be a stable contender at freeway speeds, unlike the Mazda5 which I found particularly wobbly over 60 MPH. All Rondos are equipped with anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control. In some extremely snowy conditions when I've driven the car, the ESC system is almost too intrusive; thankfully this is remedied by a lockout switch.
Fuel Economy
The Rondo 4-cylinder is rated 20 city/27 highway. Fuel economy is certainly not the car's strongest suit, as it fares worse than even some fullsize cars in National's fleet. Against it's direct competition on the aisle however, it falls just short of the Mazda5 (21/27), but WELL ahead of the PT Cruiser (19/24). Also consider this, the Rondo has more total room than some SUVs, all while walking away from them in fuel efficiency.
Entertainment
US renters can consider themselves lucky that a new Rondo will be equipped with a Sirius sat radio, whereas in Canada it's limited to the top-of-the-line V6 model. However, the Rondo makes up for this with the standard USB port, allowing iPod/mp3 player control through the car radio. Hook-up was very simple and the interface was easy to use. The Rondo also comes with Bluetooth, which unfortunately wasn't as easy to use. If I remember correctly, you aren't even told the code to enter to sync your phone with the car (I believe it's 1234). This caused some confusion initially. Also, once I got using it, I found the connection wasn't nearly as clear as either the Toyota Handsfree system or Ford's SYNC. It's still a nice feature to have, but it could use a bit more refinement.
Comfort
The driver's seating position is more upright than a regular intermediate car, which makes for a clear view of the road. The seat adjusts 6-ways so I found it very easy to find a comfortable position. The 2nd row seats appear to be adequate for two adults at best, but maybe 3 in a pinch. The 3rd row seats are mostly for show unfortunately, as to be expected in a car of this size. They're fine for small children (making this car a possible alternative to a Grand Caravan), but for adults it's best to limit the 3rd row seat usage to short trips only. Also, when the 3rd row is up, cargo space is limited to toiletry cases and maybe, just maybe, a few staples from the grocery. Fold the 3rd row down, however, and you've got more than enough room for 4 passengers and their gear. Fold down the 2nd row seats as well, and you've got an astonishing 73 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats. That's more than the PT Cruiser, Escape, and even the Grand Cherokee. It's for this reason I got to love this car for weekend errand running.
Convenience
As I mentioned in the overview, the Rondo is amazingly equipped for such a basic vehicle in nature. One great feature found on Canadian models is the heated windshield, which makes early winter mornings a cinch for getting defrosted. As well, Canadian Rondos also have heated seats standard on the EX model, effectively making this one of my favourite winter cars. Standard cruise control is nice to have, since it can be hit or miss on rental models these days. As well, most Rondos have steering wheel controls for the radio and Bluetooth connection.
Summary
In short, here is my impression of the 2009 Rondo:
Pros
Standard ESC
The most cargo room of any regular car in the fleet
Comes loaded!
Heated seats and windshield (Canada) for cold winter mornings
Comfortable driver's position
Cons
Would like to try the V6 model for more passing power
Fuel economy not the greatest
No Sirius in Canadian models
Bluetooth system needs improvement
If I have to get stuck with the same car rental after rental, I usually hope for a Rondo. It's a handy little vehicle that I've really grown to like more every time I rent it. However, I wouldn't choose it over something like a Fusion unless I absolutely needed the extra room. Thus, the Rondo represents a gem of a find on the aisle and a great SUV alternative.