Recently released people mover-cum-multi purpose vehicle, the Kia Rondo is one of those rare beasts, a true all-rounder. While it is
Recently released people mover-cum-multi purpose vehicle, the Kia Rondo is one of those rare beasts, a true all-rounder.
While it is not the best people mover going, or the best van, it is sufficiently good at both to make it a genuine option if you need a multi-use vehicle.
Like most of its rivals, the Rondo makes use of a semi-bonneted design to offer good crash protection and crumple zones in the event of something bad happening, as well as creating a more attractive design.
Despite its resemblance to a van, the Rondo is actually a five-door wagon, and this is part of the secret of its success.
By not having to lug around the weight of sliding door assemblies, the Rondo’s overall weight is kept in check, while the car-type doors make for easy access on both sides.
Inside, the Rondo is big, with plenty of head and shoulder room for passengers of all sizes and shapes, while driver’s leg room is also plentiful.
While the dials are clear and easy to read, and most of the switches are within easy reach, the Rondo is let down by a lack of reach adjustment for the steering wheel, and the placement of the park brake release.
The Rondo uses a pedal to activate the brake, with a dash-mounted release, which unfortunately is mounted between the steering wheel and the centre console.
This is fine in the auto versions, but in our manual test car it resulted in some twisting of the hand to select the gear and then release the brake on a hill-start.
The driving dynamics are good, with a set of well-sorted ratios that match the 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol engine almost perfectly.
The engine has enough oomph to spin the wheels with ease, while the clutch is light enough to handle even the heaviest of traffic.
With all the passengers out of the car, it is a simple job to flatten the middle and back row of seats, and have plenty of room for cartons and boxes.
The doors and tailgate all open wide for easy access, making it a simple process to fit even a substantial load into the cargo area.
While it may not be first choice for fleet operators, this is certainly a terrific all-rounder, able to cope with multiple tasks, and is a serious option for those needing a vehicle that can carry passengers and freight, without being dedicated to either.
For a full review, see the July edition of ATN magazine.