New car sales price Kia Rondo

Kia has launched the new second-generation Rondo people mover in Australia, with an eye on mid-size seven-seat family buyers.

The Rondo’s all-new body boasts an aerodynamic, cab-forward design with a low dash and front quarter windows that promise improved driver visibility.

The new Rondo’s wheelbase has grown 50mm to measure 2750mm, but is 20mm shorter overall, 15mm narrower, and 40mm lower.

An all-new interior boasts an array of storage options, including six cupholders and under-floor compartments for second-row occupants.

Cargo capacity is up 17 per cent thanks to the new model’s torsion-beam rear suspension (replacing multilink), and amounts to 492L with the second-row seats upright, 1650L with both rows folded, and 103L with the third-row upright. The centre row folds 35/30/35, and the third-row 50/50.

Kia’s 122kW/213Nm 2.0L petrol and 100kW/320Nm 1.7L turbodiesel engines are available across the Si and SLi trim levels, and the flagship Platinum is petrol-only.

Both are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, and combined fuel consumption is 7.9L/100km for petrol models, and 6.4L/100km for diesels.

All Rondo variants score six airbags, reversing camera, rear parking sensors (plus front on SLi and Platinum), ABS, stability and traction control, hill-assist, cornering lamps, and three-point seatbelts for all occupants.

The entry petrol Rondo Si starts at $29,990 ($32,490 with diesel), and comes with 16 inch alloys, cruise control, trip computer, six-speaker MP3 compatible audio, 4.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth audio and telephony, air-conditioning, 6-way driver’s seat adjustment, heated electric folding mirrors, and Flex Steer adaptive steering assistance.

The second-tier petrol SLi kicks off at $33,990 ($36,490 with diesel), and adds 17-inch alloys, LED daylight running lamps, leather trim, 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, side mirror-mounted indicators with puddle lights, roof rails, privacy glass, 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen, auto up-down on all windows and dual-zone climate control.

The top-spec $38,990 Platinum is petrol-only, and gains 18-inch alloys, satnav with 7-inch full touch screen, climate controlled front seats and heated steering wheel, proximity keys with push-button start, HID headlamps with washers, LED tail-lamps, panoramic sunroof, second row side window curtain blind, chilled glovebox, and an electronic parking brake.

“The all-new Rondo offers a viable alternative to large people movers and SUVs to growing families and those who need occasional third row seating,” Kia’s Australian boss Tony Barlow says.

This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn
 

New 2013 Kia Rondo

Take a look at Kia's new second-generation Rondo people mover.

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