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KIA Rondo Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 2
First production year: 2008
Engines: Gasoline, Diesel
Body style: Van
KIA Rondo photo gallery

Kia followed the downsizing trend on the third generation of the Rondo and offered it on specific markets with smaller, fuel-efficient engines.

The new generation replaced both the Sedona and the Rondo and showed a styling that matched the Kia lineup "tiger-nose" signature grille. While the MPV segment was shrinking, there were still enough buyers to convince a few carmakers to build a small or compact-sized MPV in a world dominated by crossovers and SUVs.

At the front, the angular headlights swept back to the sides resembled the ones found on the Kia cee'd. The entire car looked like an oversized cee'd, with a taller greenhouse. That led to a steep hood that tried to connect to the raked windshield. The taillights showed a similar shape to those installed on the compact hatchback cee'd.

But most people are buying seven-seat vehicles for their interiors. In that aspect, the Kia significantly improved the Carens. It offered plenty of headroom and legroom for the front and middle-row passengers. Five people could sit inside without any worries, but those two flat-folding seats in the back were too cramped to be used for more than a five-minute drive. One of the car's great improvements was the special storage bins with covers under the rear passenger's feet or under the trunk's floor.

Under the hood, Kia offered the Rondo with a small engine range. While the Canadians could only choose the gasoline units, the Rondo was available for the Australian market with a turbo-diesel version as well.

full description and technical specifications
KIA Rondo photo gallery

The Kia Rondo was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2007. The compact crossover wagon was designed to offer the capabilities of a minivan combined with great fuel economy and class-leading safety.

The Rondo was available with 2 trim levels, the LX and the EX. While the LX came with 16-inch alloy wheels, the EX had 17-inch alloys, along with chrome accents on the front grille and on the door handles. The EX also included roof rails and an optional power tilt sliding moon roof.

The cabin of the Rondo could accommodate from 5 to 7 people, still offering enough legroom and headroom for everybody. The materials used for the cabin were of high quality, and the EX trim level offered optional heated front seats with leather upholstery.

The cargo area was a good size and users could even increase it by folding the rear seats with the 60-40 folding configuration.

Already recognised for their top notch safety, the Rondo included 6 airbags (“advanced dual front, dual front seat-mounted side and full-length side curtains”, as Kia says). Moreover, the Rondo was rated 5-stars for safety.

The Rondo came with 2 engine options: a 2.4-liter developing 162 hp, mated with a 4-speed automatic transmission and a 2.7-liter V6 with 182 hp that was available with a 5-speed automatic gearbox.

full description and technical specifications