Review and photo gallery: Does Kia have an all new Vibe?

Review and photo gallery: Does Kia have an all new Vibe?
For Kia, the launch of the all-new Rondo comes fresh on the heels of the brand’s thirteenth consecutive year of record sales. With more consumers realizing the value the Kia brand offers than ever before, the all-new Rondo arrives as Kia continues to create an even broader range of products that offer high levels of quality, value and safety for the North American market. Rondo debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show and is designed to completely change the way consumers think about the crossover segment.

“The all-new Rondo represents our continuing commitment to broaden our vehicle line-up and attract new consumers,” said Len Hunt, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Kia Motors America. “And in light of current trends, fuel prices and customer needs, Rondo further demonstrates that we have our finger on the pulse of the market.”

The 2007 Kia Rondo is the most recent example of what today’s CUV has to offer, poised to contend in the increasingly competitive crossover utility vehicle segment that includes Mazda5, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Toyota Matrix and Chevrolet HHR. Based on the same platform as Kia’s new-generation Optima, Rondo comes equipped with either a 2.4-liter in-line four-cylinder engine or a 2.7-liter sixty-degree V6. For consumers looking for the functionality of a minivan, but not the size and heft, the Rondo provides a comfortable ride with “huge cabinocity,” offering 41.6 inches of headroom and 41.3 inches of legroom in the front row. Second-row space offers 40.2 inches of headroom and 38.2 inches of legroom, regardless of a five- or seven-passenger seating layout. When optioned with the third row, however, Rondo’s second row adjusts with a forward/backward sliding range of nearly one foot in travel, ample space for additional passengers or luggage. This optional third-row seating offers 35.1 inches of headroom and 31.3 inches of legroom, more than enough room to accommodate the average-sized adult.

“Rondo is perfect for the young professional and young families with places to go as well as cargo to haul because of its attractive looks, practical dimensions and multiple seating configuration options,” said Ian Beavis, vice president, marketing, Kia Motors America. “Combine that with the quality and safety all Kia vehicles offer and Rondo is sure to be extremely competitive in its segment.”

Like all Kia models, the Rondo is covered by a comprehensive warranty program, which offers unprecedented consumer protection. Included in this program are a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty; a five-year or 60,000-mile limited basic warranty; and a five-year or 100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty. A five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan is also part of the comprehensive coverage program.

AutoSpies.com report card:

The Good: Great value for the money, fantastic utility, least expensive 3 row 7 seater vehicle you can buy, awesome safety, ten year warranty and reliability, surprisingly good power and drive.

The Bad: No iPod plug in, not available with a manual transmission

The Ugly: How can you not have an outside temperature gauge in this day and age?

Conclusion: If you're on a budget and in the market for a low priced, do it all vehicle with three rows of seats, this is your front runner



EL34EL34 - 1/23/2007 6:41:02 PM
-2 Boost
Squarely aimed at Toyota and Kia will take over in 10 years.


2JZSoarer2JZSoarer - 1/23/2007 9:12:02 PM
+2 Boost
That shows how dumb you are,keep dreaming bro!!


kart1kart1 - 1/23/2007 10:46:15 PM
0 Boost
Now that is a joke, if I ever heard one.


LexusLexus - 1/23/2007 7:00:15 PM
0 Boost
You fail this time El34, it aimed at GM not Toyota. Because GM is a much easier target because GM model are Ugly, except the CTS, and unrealible. Good though, keep on trying;)


silverarrow2silverarrow2 - 1/23/2007 10:33:28 PM
0 Boost
Very well put.


kart1kart1 - 1/23/2007 10:47:19 PM
0 Boost
Yeah, besides the fact that Kia is cheap there isn't another reason to buy one.


Matthew1Matthew1 - 1/23/2007 7:21:23 PM
+5 Boost
"The Good: Great value for the money, fantastic utility, least expensive 3 row 7 seater vehicle you can buy, awesome safety, ten year warranty and reliability, surprisingly good power and drive.

The Bad: No iPod plug in, not available with a manual transmission

The Ugly: How can you not have an outside temperature gauge in this day and age?"

Hmmm, not wanting to bite the hand that feeds you?

Maybe not, but those 'bad points' are so minuscule I wonder why you even bothered printing them. To try and make the review look objective?

No manual transmission on a kia minivan? No temperature gauge? Please......

Your good points sound as though they were taken off the press release.

How about I give my own bad points (objective):

Clumsy styling, cheap build quality, basic transportation. Avoid.



S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 1/23/2007 10:58:12 PM
0 Boost
I agree.


Agent004Agent004 - 1/24/2007 3:03:48 AM
0 Boost
TBS says....FUNNY.

I've never driven a Kia, or been in one for that matter. To me it looks a lot like the Focus, no?


Sauceboy01Sauceboy01 - 1/23/2007 7:41:09 PM
+3 Boost
that is one ugly peice of metal.


EL34EL34 - 1/23/2007 7:50:17 PM
0 Boost
http://www.autospies.com/images/users/Agent001/IMG_2702.jpg

This is my favorite photo - Arizona Cacti.


LexusLexus - 1/23/2007 10:06:52 PM
-1 Boost
The big 3 better improvement the quality of their cars soon, if not; Kia will overtake them.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 1/23/2007 10:59:15 PM
0 Boost
Toyota has yet to overtake GM.

I know, it will, but that was a dumb comment.


webguywebguy - 1/23/2007 10:12:59 PM
+3 Boost
"...its attractive looks, practical dimensions and multiple seating configuration options," said Ian Beavis.

Mr. Beavis also added, "Fire! Heh, heh. Yeah!"
(Sorry, I couldn’t help it. That’s a reference not everyone on this board will get. Oh well.)

I haven’t really warmed up to Kia yet. Bragging about winning 3rd in a comparison test might explain why. Looking at pictures of the slides, I think the only thing that would have kept me awake during that presentation would be trying to suppress the laughter every time they said "stylish" and "3rd row seats."



S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 1/23/2007 11:01:01 PM
0 Boost
Your comments give some of the most satiric, non-biased views on this website. Love it.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 1/23/2007 11:01:41 PM
0 Boost
Excuse me, *satirical. Satiric sounds like a word, doesn't it?


bubbahotepbubbahotep - 1/24/2007 8:43:50 AM
+1 Boost
One of my vehicles is an Kia '05 Spectra5 and it had been by far the best car I have drove in a while. I consistently get 30mpg(hywy) averaging 70 mph. Not one problem under the hood and it will be paid off this year..

Now in saying that ..the Rondo... This is an ugly vehicle that I'm really not sure who this vehilce is going to be marketed towards...Very plain, but I bet it will be reliable...


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