2008 Kia Rondo

Choice of In-Line 4 and V6 Engines
While the available V6 offers more power and torque plus an extra gear in the automatic transmission with which it's paired, the four-cylinder engine has sufficient muscle to cope with lighter-duty chores and offers even better fuel economy and a lower base price.

Cargo-Friendly Rear Hatch
The Rondo's huge rear-hatch opening rivals that of many conventional SUVs. Its lower cutout margin extends all the way down to bumper level, making it particularly easy to load or unload larger, bulkier objects.

Familiar Kia-style cues in the dash and center stack, a user-friendly demeanor and lots of cupholders and storage cubbies dominate the Rondo's nicely finished cabin. The LX and EX offer different grades of cloth upholstery, but both have standard seating for five in decently supportive front buckets and a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat that can handle two adults or three younger folks with relative ease. Opt for the 50/50-split folding third-row seat (not available in a base LX or four-cylinder EX), and the second row adds nearly 12 inches of fore and aft travel that eases access to that third row. Configuring the Rondo in seven-passenger mode does cut rear storage space from over 30 cubic feet to not a lot more than about one medium-sized duffel bag, but folding both the second and third rows opens up a generous 70-plus cubic feet maximum capacity.

The 2008 Kia Rondo's clean lines are highlighted by its curving roofline and a bias-cut rear side-window shape that imparts a bit more character to the generously proportioned glass. At the LX trim level, the accent elements are all rendered in black or body color, while items like the grille, door handles and side moldings are bright chrome on EX versions. Top-line Rondo models also get fog lamps, heated outside mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer. In keeping with a very welcome corporate practice, the Rondo's wheel and tire fitments are commendably generous, with LX models having H-rated 205/60 rubber on 16-inch standard aluminum wheels and EXs stepping up to V-rated Michelin 225/50 tires on 17-inch alloy rims.

Kia offers the Rondo with two engine and transmission combinations -- both also common with current or previous Optima models. Standard is a 2.4-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine. Fitted with efficiency-enhancing Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT), it makes 162 horsepower and 164 pound-feet of torque and is paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. The Rondo V6 models have the DOHC 2.7-liter unit that's also used in several other Kia vehicles and is backed by a five-speed automatic. It, too, is fortified with CVVT, and it cranks out 182 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque. Both of the Rondo's automatic transmissions feature a Sportmatic gate to permit manual control of upshifts and downshifts.

2.4-liter in-line 4
162 horsepower @ 5800 rpm
164 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/26

2.7-liter V6
182 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
182 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26