Absolutely nothing Rondo with Kia's new idea.

All the news that's fit to shift.
DKaz
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 522
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2009 1:25 pm
Cars: Mazda3, Matrix, R3
Location: Coquitlam, BC

Absolutely nothing Rondo with Kia's new idea.

Post by DKaz »

Although the Rondo was discontinued in the US after the 2011 model year, sales were still brisk up in Canada with sales outpacing the all new Chevrolet Orlando and redesigned Mazda 5 despite being in its 7th model year. The all new 2014 Rondo will hit Canadian showrooms later this year powered by a new 2.0L GDI engine producing 165 HP and 156 ft-lb of torque, tuned a bit lower than the same engine going into the new 2014 Kia Forte5 but more suited to this heavier engine. It will come with either a 6 speed automatic transmission or, first the first time since its North American debut in 2007, a 6 speed manual transmission.

Image

Official press release and features:
2014 Kia Rondo

The 2014 Rondo is a refresh of the model that has been in Kia’s line-up since 1999, while the Cadenza full-size sedan is an all-new addition to the family.

We’ll get to the Cadenza later, but the ’14 Rondo is the car that really turned the heads of the journos on-hand at media preview day in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Aside from the low-volume Sedona minivan, the Rondo “Urban Utility Vehicle” (UUV) was the last vehicle in Kia’s line-up to not have benefited from the firm’s new styling direction. Indeed, the old model was not a sight for sore eyes, looking more like it had been designed with an eye for necessity as opposed to one for any real stylistic interest at all.

The new car, on the other hand, is a vast departure and does well to make use of the new grille shape, available high-intensity discharge headlights (that feature massive lenses) and handsome lines found throughout the line-up.

You’d be hard-pressed to associate the old car with the new one by looking at it from the outside; inside, however, the optional three row seating, broad view out and high seating position from the previous model remain.

It is and has always been a truly unique car, the Rondo, one that has very few direct competitors this side of a Mazda5. Actually, the new car seems to even have a little in common with the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class, a testament to Kia’s awareness of the fact that even for people-movers like the Rondo, styling is important, especially when the vehicle is aimed at young, urban families as the Rondo surely is.

Power comes from a single engine option, and that’s a two-litre, four-cylinder gasoline-direct injection mill that makes 165 horsepower and 156 pound-feet of torque; that’s slightly more power than what’s made by the Mazda5, but down a little on torque to its Japanese competitor.

Like the 5, however, you’ll be able to spec the Rondo with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission; people moving with a manual ‘box? That’s a rare thing, and a testament to the sporty intentions of the new Rondo. We like.

In addition to the three-row seating (whose second and third rows fold completely flat), the rest of the interior benefits from Schreyer’s touch in the same way many other Kia’s have; nice lighting, quality materials and comfortable seats. The car on display in Toronto was top-spec, but having driven Kias with lower trim levels before, I’m sure the Rondo will do just fine.

Look for the ’14 Rondo to hit dealerships later this year.

Standard features:
- 6 speed manual transmission
- manual air conditioning
- 2nd row heating and cooling vents
- power windows
- heated front seats
- 6 speaker audio system
- keyless entry with power locks
- black cloth
- ESC, HAC, BAS, VSM
- flex-steering (3 settings)

Available features:
- heated steering wheel
- heated 2nd row seating
- cooled ventilated drivers seat
- auto dual-zone climate control
- 10-way power drivers seat with extendable cushion optimizing thigh support
- supervision instrument cluster
- large LCD screen
- integrated side window blinds
- black or black/beige 2-tone high-grade leather
- rear parking sensors and rear-view camera
- automatic 6 speed transmission
09 Mazda 5 GS 6MT - His
12 Mazda 3 GS-L Skyactiv 6MT - Hers

ImageImage
DKaz
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 522
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2009 1:25 pm
Cars: Mazda3, Matrix, R3
Location: Coquitlam, BC

Re: Absolutely nothing Rondo with Kia's new idea.

Post by DKaz »

Some photos from the Canadian International Auto Show:

Image
Image
Image
Image

A few more:

Image
Image
09 Mazda 5 GS 6MT - His
12 Mazda 3 GS-L Skyactiv 6MT - Hers

ImageImage
User avatar
bk7794
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 1561
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:16 am
Cars: 00 Civic (Stock)
Location: Central CT

Re: Absolutely nothing Rondo with Kia's new idea.

Post by bk7794 »

Everyone is trying to make a distinguished grill...That one is terrible.
2004 Honda Accord 2.4 5 Speed
1989 Ford Taurus SHO 5 speed
Rope-Pusher
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 11607
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:44 pm
Cars: '08 Jeep Liberty
Location: Greater Detroit Area

Re: Absolutely nothing Rondo with Kia's new idea.

Post by Rope-Pusher »

bk7794 wrote:Everyone is trying to make a distinguished grill...
Image
That one is terrific!
Fickset
'08 Jeep Liberty 6-Speed MT - "Last of the Mohicans"
tankinbeans
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 4029
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 9:04 pm
Cars: 17 Mazda6 To, 18 Mazda3 i
Location: Shakopee, MN

Re: Absolutely nothing Rondo with Kia's new idea.

Post by tankinbeans »

I wouldn't mind the durn thing if I didn't know what Rondo meant.

Also, does this look like a shrunken Sorrento in the back? Or is it just me?
17 Mazda6 Touring
18 Mazda3 iSport
InlinePaul wrote:The driving force of new fangled features to sell more cars [is to] cater to the masses' abject laziness!
Image
User avatar
theholycow
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 16021
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:36 pm
Cars: '80 Buick LeSabre 4.1 5MT
Location: Glocester, RI
Contact:

Re: Absolutely nothing Rondo with Kia's new idea.

Post by theholycow »

tankinbeans wrote:I wouldn't mind the durn thing if I didn't know what Rondo meant.
I googled it...the music term?
1980 Buick LeSabre 4.1L 5MT

Put your car in your sig!

Learn to launch/FAQs/lugging/misused terms: meta-sig
watkins wrote:Humans have rear-biased AWD. Cows have 4WD
tankinbeans
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 4029
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 9:04 pm
Cars: 17 Mazda6 To, 18 Mazda3 i
Location: Shakopee, MN

Re: Absolutely nothing Rondo with Kia's new idea.

Post by tankinbeans »

theholycow wrote:
tankinbeans wrote:I wouldn't mind the durn thing if I didn't know what Rondo meant.
I googled it...the music term?
Pretty much. I remember my music teacher saying it was another term for a non-pc term as well.
17 Mazda6 Touring
18 Mazda3 iSport
InlinePaul wrote:The driving force of new fangled features to sell more cars [is to] cater to the masses' abject laziness!
Image
User avatar
potownrob
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 7833
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2005 11:35 pm
Cars: '17 CX-5 GT
Location: Dutchess County

Re: Absolutely nothing Rondo with Kia's new idea.

Post by potownrob »

ClutchFork wrote:...So I started carrying a stick of firewood with me and that became my parking brake.
User avatar
4onthefloor
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 1360
Joined: Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:21 pm
Cars: '17 WRX, '07 Impreza
Location: London, ON for now

Re: Absolutely nothing Rondo with Kia's new idea.

Post by 4onthefloor »

DKaz wrote:Image
Is it just me or does it appear that there is literally no leg room in that 3rd row.
Two pedals, two feet, too easy.

Car: 2007 Impreza 2.5i Special Edition
http://www.standardshift.com/forum/view ... 32&t=13230
User avatar
potownrob
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 7833
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2005 11:35 pm
Cars: '17 CX-5 GT
Location: Dutchess County

Re: Absolutely nothing Rondo with Kia's new idea.

Post by potownrob »

it's all under the seat :wink: :)

it looks like there might be 3-4 inches of space between the seat bottom and the back of the seats in front of it...
ClutchFork wrote:...So I started carrying a stick of firewood with me and that became my parking brake.
User avatar
bk7794
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 1561
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:16 am
Cars: 00 Civic (Stock)
Location: Central CT

Re: Absolutely nothing Rondo with Kia's new idea.

Post by bk7794 »

potownrob wrote:it's all under the seat :wink: :)

it looks like there might be 3-4 inches of space between the seat bottom and the back of the seats in front of it...
looks to be for very small kids. Seems useless to me. The seat folded down also hits the back of the one in front. Unless the second row slides.

The whole front end of the car is ugly.. Like it's just not good looking. Even the Rio isn't as good looking as its previous generation.

Image
Image
Almost looks like a ripoff of the fiesta.
2004 Honda Accord 2.4 5 Speed
1989 Ford Taurus SHO 5 speed
DKaz
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 522
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2009 1:25 pm
Cars: Mazda3, Matrix, R3
Location: Coquitlam, BC

Re: Absolutely nothing Rondo with Kia's new idea.

Post by DKaz »

My Mazda 5 was like this. These cars are 4+2 or 5+2 seaters. Those rear seats are good for 5-10 year olds or when the relatives are over for a week. I sat in the back a few times, only my butt touched the seat and it was numb an hour in. Don't expect to fit anything more than 6 bags of groceries behind the 3rd row, but I had a roof rack for carrying 7 people and five luggages.

I loved my Mazda 5 though and I'm happy that we have three options now for manual transmission people haulers. The rest of the year with those seats down, you get awesome cargo space like a wagon that you won't get in a typical hatchback.
09 Mazda 5 GS 6MT - His
12 Mazda 3 GS-L Skyactiv 6MT - Hers

ImageImage
User avatar
theholycow
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 16021
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:36 pm
Cars: '80 Buick LeSabre 4.1 5MT
Location: Glocester, RI
Contact:

Re: Absolutely nothing Rondo with Kia's new idea.

Post by theholycow »

I imagine that the seat slides.

Anyway, the third row in a station wagon was traditionally for very small individuals.
Image

Backwards-facing might help in the Rondo but that may be illegal now.
1980 Buick LeSabre 4.1L 5MT

Put your car in your sig!

Learn to launch/FAQs/lugging/misused terms: meta-sig
watkins wrote:Humans have rear-biased AWD. Cows have 4WD
Rope-Pusher
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 11607
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:44 pm
Cars: '08 Jeep Liberty
Location: Greater Detroit Area

Re: Absolutely nothing Rondo with Kia's new idea.

Post by Rope-Pusher »

theholycow wrote:Image

Backwards-facing might help in the Rondo but that may be illegal now, unless you are Backwards Man!
Fickset
'08 Jeep Liberty 6-Speed MT - "Last of the Mohicans"
User avatar
bk7794
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 1561
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:16 am
Cars: 00 Civic (Stock)
Location: Central CT

Re: Absolutely nothing Rondo with Kia's new idea.

Post by bk7794 »

My favorite kia was this rio. It looks like a kia, simple. I can see what they are trying to do with hyundai, but kia should have remained a simple car brand.

Image
2004 Honda Accord 2.4 5 Speed
1989 Ford Taurus SHO 5 speed
Post Reply