Used 2009 Kia Rondo Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2009 Rondo, so we've included reviews for other years of the Rondo since its last redesign.
solid family vehicle with lots of plastic
bayoubilly74, 05/27/2014
2009 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
50 of 52 people found this review helpful
Tired of having small sedans so looked for something economical but roomy. Found the Rondo, EX trim. Overall a good family car. Plenty of headroom and the kids have quit a bit of space in the 2nd row. Visibility is near-perfect in this car. Easy to see. Have the 3rd row which is a bit of a joke unless the person back there is about 8 years or younger. 3rd row easily flips down flat for a good sized load space. 2nd row folds flat too but it takes more effort. Great hauler for either people or stuff--just NOT AT THE SAME TIME. Tech is pretty sweet for an 09 vehicle. Touch screen display, navigation (solid), 8 speakers, heated seats, Ipod jack and interface.
A total surprise - I LOVE it!
Auto-holic, 08/31/2017
updated 09/07/2018
2008 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
31 of 32 people found this review helpful
I come from a dealership family and we currently own several vehicles in our household plus 4 motorcycles so I switch cars frequently. I'm an "auto-holic" with lots of experience with all types : sports, sedans, trucks, SUV's, etc., everything from luxury to econo, 4-banger to V8, stick to automatic, and foreign & domestic. I recently wanted a car with better MPG for work but had a limited budget. I obsessively shopped online for vehicles that I was already familiar with and could afford but had never even considered a Kia Rondo. Frankly, there aren't enough of them on the USA roads to even notice (though more popular in Canada). When I saw an ad for an '08 with 68K miles & competitive price, I agreed to look at it per the urging of my husband and mechanic-son. Was so unimpressed with the exterior that I was hesitant to drive it, but when I did, WOW, I was almost embarrassed for overlooking this gem for many years! It was extremely responsive, nimble, comfortable, more than enough power with V6 for competitive, congested highway driving, SUPER smooth transmission and handling, all the creature comforts (leather, sunroof, 6-CD stereo, Aux jacks, etc), and awesome visibility, 3 rows - 2 fold flat for much cargo space. Handles like a much newer car, feels solid, and zero performance or reliability hiccups. The Rondo is quiet, too, transferring very little road noise to the interior. For my needs in congested city traffic, and high-speed long distance driving, this car has not disappointed! When I hit the gas, it instantly gives me what I need for passing and maneuvering. I only wish it were brand new so I could keep it longer because they're not sold in USA anymore :-( But from where I am, might travel to Canada for a newer one to enjoy longer. MPG is impressive at 25city/29hwy, much better than advertised, and I am NOT easy on the accelerator. I have owned this Rondo for 6 months now and it is currently my favorite car to drive. Cars currently in my household are Chevy Bronco, 2x Nissan Maxima, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda B2000 truck, Cadillac CTS, and my personal fav Kia Rondo. I wrote this review because I feel the vehicle never got the recognition it deserved and was seriously overlooked.
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I'd buy another one in a heart beat.
joel41, 04/26/2012
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
30 of 31 people found this review helpful
I can't say enough positive about this car. I bought it as a demonstrator with 10,800miles and paid $220 more than a 10 year old Honda CRV with 110,000 miles on the same lot. Head and leg room as well as visability is better than my Dodge Caravan. Rear seats lay all the way flat which is great for hauling and camping. Doors open all the way which allows to load a box the full size of the door in the back (unlike my dad's Buick. With the V6 engine, there is more than enough spunk to get up to spead on the freeway. On a country road, I had it up to 110 mph and was still accelorating. It can be "fun to drive" when I want to.
Great car for the money
Alex, 02/06/2019
2009 Kia Rondo LX Base 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
29 of 30 people found this review helpful
Paid 2200 bucks for a one owner Kia rondo with 100k.I really didn’t do much maintenance in the beginning except a driver side shock. Few things to watch out for as time goes by. First thing oil consumption On a 2.4L engine. If you drive normal it’s not a problem but for me I beat on this car and travel far. Another issue is the front calipers fails then you have to replace them along with your disc and brakes. Camshaft sensor goes bad but parts are pretty cheap. All the work I did myself. Car rust easily so get a undercoating. Stock radio really sucks get yourself a double din radio with Bluetooth and it fixes the problem. I fit full sized arcade machine in the car. I used this car to set up at the flea markets on the weekend. Probably one of the best cars I ever owned. Currently it has 120k I had it for a little over a year now
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It Keeps Going
A Great Family Car 2, 09/25/2010
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
22 of 23 people found this review helpful
I doing a follow up review on our Rondo, we have owned it for 1-1/2 years and still love it. We replace our Ford Windstar mini van and never looked back. This has been a reliable vehicle, we have over 22,000 miles on it now, been to CA from WA Twice, we got over 27 miles to the gallon fully loaded with a car topper on it. Great power over the mountains! Things we had done to vehicle: Tinted windows, Mud flaps & Cross bars for roof rack. Future Items: Trailer hitch. We have the 7 passenger version had every seat filled, still great power! We Would still buy this vehicle if we were looking again!
Love my Rondo.
fargsnalt, 05/30/2015
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon w/AC (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
28 of 30 people found this review helpful
I bought my Rondo in 2012 with about 63,000 miles. I just passed the 100,000 mile mark with no major problems. We have changed brake pads, air conditioner coils and tires in that time. Gas mileage is not great, but cargo room is good and we can take 7 people in it. Third row seat is fairly easy to get to, even for a 6'6" person like myself.
SO Disappointed
drivingmom2, 03/09/2014
2008 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
19 of 20 people found this review helpful
We bought our Rondo new in 2008. At the time it was exactly the car we were looking for, as it had the third row stow-and-go seats. We had reasonable performance from it for the first five years, although it did have a few factory recalls in that time. HOWEVER, two months after the five-year warranty expired, the engine failed. Despite the fact that I had followed the warranty maintenance schedule, KIA Canada would do nothing to assist us with this matter and we ended up having to have a second-hand motor installed. Apparently KIA create disposable cars and are not prepared to back their products. Like a previous poster, I too am a bit embarrassed about having recommended KIA to friends.
I don't think you can do better f
Sloppy, 05/29/2009
2009 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful
Bought it new,now has 20k km. this is an 09 EX 5 seater 2.4l. No other car offers ABS, ESC,traction control and 4 wheel discs, heated seats, mirrors and a WIPER de-icer! in this class or for the money. The four cylinder engine is smooth and you can barely hear it at idle. I don't understand people complaining about a lack of power. Top of second gear is over 60 mph, how much freeway merging power do you need? Build quality is second to none in my opinion. Quiet inside, very roomy, standard 6 speaker stereo is excellent, with Bluetooth and a USB port as well. Steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls. Nicely weighted steering. Very smooth to drive. There is very little not too like
An excellent vehicle
Excellent Kia Rondo, 09/27/2020
2008 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
The Kia Rondo has by far exceeded my expectations. I bought it not expecting much from a cheap Korean MPV, but the reliability and low maintenance cost is surprising. The car, despite being a V6, returns about 22mpg in the city if driven conservatively. Note that this MPG can be achieved by running 38psi in the tires and removing the 3rd row seats. The V6 also offers plenty of power, as the car can climb hills without being forced to downshift too often. The 5 speed transaxle also shifts smoothly, and came from the factory with an auxiliary air cooler. The engine is very easy to work on in the rare event it does need work, with the exception of the rear 3 spark plugs. The transmission is also easy to service, and comes with a dipstick to allow for easy checking and filling of fluid. This may not sound too important, but consider that many modern cars have no ATF dipstick, and fluid changes are difficult. Despite having over 140,000 miles, the engine has no noticeable oil consumption between changes. Despite its price, the car seems very well built, and I plan on running it past 250,000 miles.
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The Rondo is a Steal
CelticRondo, 06/15/2010
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I purchased this vehicle to drive around people at work and to travel around the states with two dogs. I can fit four adult in it all eating lunch comfortably. Took a four thousand mile drive through MN, NY, FL, and the Midwest. It handles the mountains and beaches with ease. I even had enough room to layout in the back to sleep on the road. I am comfortable driving it and my riders enjoy the extra room and cup holders. It's like a boring friend. It will do everything you ask of it but your hip friends don't like being seen with it.
$2,000 A/C repair @ 45k
anjay, 06/24/2013
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
16 of 18 people found this review helpful
Background: I bought the car off-lease in May '09 with 16k on the odometer. With the exception of so-so gas mileage, I though I'd scored an excellent deal. Then, in 2012, just after the 5-year warranty expired, I learned from my [very reliable] auto tech that the A/C compressor clutch had failed and would cost $2,000 to repair. This is a huge cash outlay for a relatively young vehicle w/ just over 45k. I'm embarrassed to tell anyone b/c I've been hyping the Rondo as a great value for four years. I won't be doing that any more.
Pretty Nice for the Price
LB, 02/18/2010
2009 Kia Rondo LX Base 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
15 of 17 people found this review helpful
I purchased as a 1 yr old used car from a rental sales place. This vehicle was used but in like/new condition. I really like it. It handles well and seems very soundly built. I was very surprised because Kia was the worst on my list last time I purchased a car.
A pleasant surprise and still going!
Tully, 06/10/2017
updated 06/13/2018
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon w/AC (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I bought mine new in January of 2009 and have put over 180,000 miles on it including from Tennessee to California and back loaded down. Only problems related to a fender bender a few years ago, otherwise car has been nothing but reliable. Nothing fancy, easy to get in and out of, averaged about 24mpg, more than adequate power and handling, LOTS of room. A pleasant surprise indeed and still going.
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2 summers old and AC BAD, won't FIX IT!
Diane Miller, 05/16/2010
2008 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
IN 3/08 we bought our Rondo and in 4/10 the AC Compressor went our and the dealership or KIA company want fix it under warranty. A 18,000 dollar car should last more that 2 years! We had a KIA van before this Rondo and the AC also went out on it. KIA has bad compressors, so I want buy another one! Buyer Beware!
Never Had an Issue
Kerensa, 02/23/2015
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I was trading up to this from a 2005 Ford Focus that I absolutely hated. I needed something a bit more roomy with better visibility. I bought this used with minimal miles on it. I sold it 3 years later because I needed something with AWD in it, otherwise I would have kept it. I did routine maintenance on it and never had one issue with how it drove.
Great First time car
cmede, 02/02/2015
2008 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I bought this little guy used about 2 weeks ago. I came from a giant Nissan Altima all plush and built for long drives. I got into this Rondo and fell in love instantly! The seats were spacious for my bigger size, the leg room was great and the overall feel of the car felt like quality. I never thought I would buy something that looked like this. I think it's not the nicest to look at. It reminds me of a wagon. But the way it grips the corners, gets up to highway speeds and truly is a hoot to drive. I was worried the 4 Cylinders was going to be a problem on the highway. I was mistaken. For my first car that I bought. I recommend it to anyone. It really is quality with the low price.
LOVE this "car"!
Jennifer, 12/10/2009
2008 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
We bought our car off the lot as a demo - so it was considered new. I wasn't sure about the value I would get but it's nearly a year later and we LOVE it! We get about 24 combine city/highway miles. We got all the bells and whistles (which hardly cost any extra), including the sunroof, leather and 3rd row. I am 5'6" and can fit in the 3rd row (wouldn't do it all the time and probably someone a bit taller would not fit unless they sat sideways). Plenty of room in the front and middle. The seats fold flat, which is hard to find.
Great Family Car!
Happy Kia Owner, 03/31/2009
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
We did a lot of research before we bought this vehicle. We were replacing our 98 Ford Windstar, we wanted better gas mileage, but still versatility. So we rented this vehicle for the weekend, highly recommended. Took it to the ocean and for the weekend and got 25mpg (200m 60% Hwy & 40% city). It handles worlds over a minivan, fun to drive, and parking lots are easy. Purchase process, we talked to the car sales arm of the rental agency, said we wanted dark as possible interior and 7 seater, they brought in a Silver exterior, with black interior. Ultimately we purchased it for $13,000 with 7,000 miles on it and we have gotten 21.8mpg strictly in town driving, that is what we expected.
good car
godesshay, 12/19/2010
2009 Kia Rondo LX Base 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
18 of 24 people found this review helpful
I bought this car with 41,000 on it.i love how it handles it has lots of room its comfortable on long trips it fits 7 people with no problem with the 3rd row its a very quiet ride.i like the car it is built well to be a kia i was unsure about it before i bought it,but now it has impressed me :) it fits my family its good on long trips
WHAT A LEMON
jskayaker, 02/11/2015
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon w/AC (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
18 of 24 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2008 Kia Rondo used with 19,000 miles on it...I really liked the car it suited my needs for hauling kids, dogs, kayaks and camping gear...but now at 51k miles the engine has locked up. I had the car serviced regularly and keep up on oil changes the whole nine. This is very very disheartening.....I still owe 9800 on the car and the new engine will cost 4800 to replace. I will never buy a KIA every again! I will also tell anyone buying a KIA to think again.
Love this Car!
Sara, 05/20/2009
2009 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
9 of 12 people found this review helpful
I LOVE this car. I've had it for three months. I've taken many highway trips and have had no problems. I even folded down the backseats and fit perfectly in the back for a nap while on the road! It is roomy and comfortable. It is slightly 'soccer mom-ish' for someone young and single like me. Everyone else I see driving a Rondo is a bit older or has kids. But regardless - I love it. Great price, great car.
Great Car Until the Engine Goes
Jen, 10/15/2009
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I recently purchased a Kia Rondo in April. Just this month they replaced the engine - the entire short block. It was making noise for a while and took some time to diagnose, but now my new car had to have a new engine put in. I am very nervous about this car for the future.
Great family car....so far....
jason, 02/04/2010
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon w/AC (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought the Rondo for the price. I have only had it for a year, but so far it runs great and hasn't had any problems. The Rondo is very roomy and has a lot of features I would not have expected for the price. 8 different airbags, anti lock brakes, electronic stability control, 4 wheel disk brakes, and a auto shifter. So far it has proven to be a great family car and i would recommend one to anyone thinking of buying one. It does have a wind noise on the driver's side, which i have read about in other complaints, which the factory or dealers cannot fix, but it doesnt bother me anymore. I work with a bunch of guys with big egos, they make fun of me everyday for driving this vehicle...
Try This!
Well Worth It, 12/24/2009
2008 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I commute about 90 a day & the Rondo is better than I expected. Interior comfort, gauge layout (nicely illuminated @ night), road manners are all top notch. Safety features all around! Excellent. At idle, the 2.7L V6 is nearly silent. This engine has been a proven asset to Kia's line-up. 6-Speed auto. w/triptronic shift are remarkable - it hums @ 80mph. Using synthetic oil now & this has helped the overall performance. I tinted all windows. At 6.3", I am comfortable for long trips. Only regret - not adding leather & sunroof. Kia's are "cheap" in cost because the U.S. dollars buy more on Korean products. Kia's are not cheap in quailty. You should look into Kia next time around. Trust me.
Love it
z24racerchic, 10/21/2010
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I had rented a car in 2008 and they gave me a Rondo. When I first saw it I thought what the frig is this thing, but I fell in love. In July 2010 I got a 2008 with only 25,000 miles on it for $11,000. Was thrilled. The dealership was 2 1/2 hours away because I had a hard time finding a good one around where I live. I love my Rondo. While many say its nothing much to look at I like how it looks. The performance is awesome. I have taken it on two trips into the mountains and it doesn't hesitate. The V6 has a lot of power. The interior is very, very roomy and I love the compartments for extra storage in the back. There is plenty of room to haul things.
Great experience with used Rondo
Laken B, 12/08/2019
2008 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Bought a used 2008 Rondo EX 6cyl in 2016 at around 50k miles. Drove it hard for three years — mainly highway and mountain roads. End of 2019 I put over 75,000mi on it, adding up to 136k + miles without any significant issues. Unfortunately after three short years with the car, a deer ran into the drivers side doors and headlight on the interstate, causing damage significant enough for my insurance company to total the car due to body repair costs vs car value/resale value. Such a shame. Car ran great and I planned to run it as long as it would go. Would get another low-mileage Rondo if I could find one out there. My only complaint is the body quality (seemed easily susceptible to dents and dings, deer aside) I’ll be back to regularly using my old 1996 Toyota Camry wagon for now. 286k miles and still keeping up with the new kids on the highway.
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A great MPV (multi-purpose vehicle)
conwelpic, 06/16/2008
2008 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The Power to Surprise the KIA slogan and its sure worked for me. The utility of this vehicle is incredible and cant fault the fit and finish. Its a very efficient design with an amazing amount of space inside for such a compact exterior package. With the chair like seating, outstanding visibility through the large side windows, its a joy to drive. The performance of the 4-cylinder never fails to impress me (it outperforms the 2.8L V6 on my previous vehicle) and provides great economy and very smooth shifts. I also noticed that even though its a tall vehicle it is not as susceptible to wind as much as my previous vehicle that was 10 shorter.
Great for families
brondie, 03/23/2010
2009 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
10 of 14 people found this review helpful
We were looking for something to replace my Taurus Wagon, but wanted to be sure to get better gas mileage and better room. This covers all the basis. I love the features it has and the handling is great. My husband is comfortable in this unlike he was in the HHR we almost bought. So far I have no complaints.
What a bargan!
BSmith, 04/16/2009
2009 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
Overall, this is one of the best cars you can get for the money. Pros: Has more than enough interior space. Excellent visibility for driver. Safety features. Has all the features of a more expensive car. Long warranty. Build quality. Low price. Cons: Suspension and steering are very soft. Fuel economy is poor. Interior is mostly hard plastic. Seats are covered in low quality cloth. Radio sounds cheap. Tires are cheap. Has plastic wheel covers. Wind noise is excessive. However, the cons are easy to live with and are mitigated by the Rondo's low price. If you can, get the 6 cyl. The 4 cyl is low on power, especially when passing on the highway
Great Vehicle, Great Value
Dave, 12/01/2009
2009 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Purchased used with 12,400 miles. I was looking for a more comfortable vehicle for trips that could haul larger items when necessary - but it needed to also be economical. The Rondo delivers on all counts, and it's even fun to drive! Comfortable, smooth ride, good brakes, interior looks good, lots of room and yet it is a fairly compact vehicle. 24-27 mpg on the first few tanks, nearly all highway miles (hoping for better than this.) Lots of storage cubbyholes. I'm impressed with the features for the money (ABS, stability control, traction control, etc.) and surprised that more people haven't discovered the Rondo. It's not a sports car but it does what it does very well.
Poor gas mileage
jerry, 09/20/2010
2009 Kia Rondo LX Base 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
13 of 21 people found this review helpful
it only gets about 20 miles to the gallon on the highway. And in one year it has a trade in value of $9400.00 I paid $19,000
Never Again
JustADriver, 01/30/2010
2009 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
7 of 11 people found this review helpful
Bought the KIA looking for a 3rd row. It has lots of room, but too many problems. Headlights have horizon line and are not good on hills. Bad vibration, which according to KIA was caused because the rims bent when car sat to long. The fix was to overinflate the tires. Airbag lights took several tries to fix, stereo was broken from day one, but dealer thought it was fine. KIA eventually replaced it, but the replacement was also broken. Trade in offers after about 7 months ranged from $7,000 to $10,800 for a car with about a $23,000 MSRP when purchased
Afraid I made a mistake
Nanlan, 01/31/2009
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
7 of 11 people found this review helpful
I just purchased a 2008 Rondo today. I think I made a mistake. The test drive took place in city traffic where I didn't see some of the flaws. On the long drive home there was a very annoying sound at the driver's window (air coming in). The car is very "floaty" & seems too wishy washy on the road. I don't feel in command of my vehicle. The 4 cylinder engine whines so loud, like it may explode before we really get rolling. I am thinking of taking it back in the morning & getting my money back. This is a cheap car & I don't feel safe in it.
Great Car but...
mumfrumson, 03/11/2009
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Great Car, the V6, Love the Manual shift, the folding third row is great, plenty of room, leather sun roof etc is fantastic. The sun room is back far enough so you dont get beat up.. the only thing missing.. OUTSIDE TEMP. Drives me crazy (no Pun Intended) I have almost 28K of highway miles, rain and snow, no problems, good in slow even with 16 rims.
Rondo LX Excellent Value
Ed, 11/29/2008
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I recently purchased a used 2008 LX Rondo V6 with 9,700 miles. I sought a vehicle that was a good value, had a practical aspect for light duty hauling, and that would be reliable with decent gas mileage. I have been happy with the Rondo and it has mostly met the above criteria. Bonus features that I found are that the V6 has good pickup and handles around corners well. Also I am 6'5'' and about 210 lbs. This car provides excellent headroom and decent leg room. I like that the driver sits up fairly high with good visibility too. Overall, there are better vehicles in this category I'd say, but they will cost you significantly more. This is a reliable vehicle at a good price I believe.
Safety
happyparent, 04/09/2010
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My daughter was driving the car in the mountains and spun out on some gravel. She went airborne, cleared a ditch and ended up in a field. She spun a couple times resulting in peeling two tires off the rim. When the tow truck arrived he told her that this was really strange, all the other spin outs on this curve usually resulted in severe roll overs. When my wife and myself bought this car, we mentioned how stiff and sturdy it drove. We had been looking at several different small cars but we kept coming back to the Kia Rondo because it drove and felt sturdier. We are so thankful we chose this car because of its strength, the total damage cost $150 for alignment and rebalance the tires.
Great economical all-around hauler
Mike D, 05/17/2010
2008 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
PROS - EX 6 cyl new 2008 leftover stickered $23,000+ bought early in 2009 for $16,000 total (no trade, and included tax, title, and registration). WOW! - Mileage - 24+ mpg mixed driving and 27+ highway (usually running around 70 mph). We're easy on the peddle. - Tows a 1,000 lb pop up trailer effortlessly - costs 3 mpg - Solid build, reasonably quiet - 3rd row split bench seat lets us haul 6 - 4 adults, two kids in car seats - 6 people total - AND a big stroller -- plus a few other things -- in relative comfort. IFFY: - Looks are unremarkable - Road-handling and performance reasonably satisfying (it is a 'midi van' after all!) - Front seats not very comfortable
Rondo Keeps Running
Bryan, 07/31/2021
updated 02/07/2022
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
We bought our '08 dirt cheap from a wholesaler two years ago .It was a PA. car. They have strict inspection codes. Sadly , it needed a new sub-frame (it had been ~welded!~), at 113K. Mechanic got a new one from KIA. At 135K, the auto trans chewed up the planetary gear. That was kind of -'ouch'! I must say, the car runs great, is quiet, gets good gas mileage and we plan to run it up to 200k. We almost HAVE to with those repair bucks in it! Feb. 2022 Update .Under warranty, they replaced a solenoid on the Trans @ 142K, although they should have done that when they did the gear replacements , I suspect. Had some suspension stabilizer bars replaced by rear struts@140K,in order to align rear wheels properly. Got the rear struts done then too....(Car will look like a dog squatting to "make it self comfortable" with this prob - so to speak).Age related stuff, no surprises there....
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Rondo rules
Lynn Lent, 02/27/2019
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon w/AC (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I loved my Kia Rondo. It was great for my family. It had the 3rd seat option that we used on many an occasion saving time, energy to take 2 cars. I would have bought a second one if it came in hybrid and they did not discontinue the model. I love Kia. I never had any problems with it. It ran beautiful.
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Made some window screens for camping!
Margie Taylor, 12/20/2017
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon w/AC (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I Love my 2008 Kia Rondo. It had 40 miles on it leaving the lot. I have nearly 60,000 miles on it now (2017). Love the idea of side airbags. I bought it for the ease of my elderly parent getting in and out. Front seats and the back seats a have plenty of legroom. I like the square back seat windows. I made two screens for it. I can put them in when watching fireworks from the car in comfort without pesky bugs getting in. I use them for when I'm camping too. I love that the seats fold down flat. I've slept in that car many times. I've hauled so much stuff with ease. I feel it's been fare on gas and I've kept up with oil changes and maintenance. I like that it tells me when air needs to be added in the tires. There's been many an air mattresses filled by the back end plug in. I wish a directional was standard, but I never really get lost. The only thing that I don't like is when the two back windows are open going down the road the noise pounds your ears. LOVE MY KIA !
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Happy as a Clam
Happy Clam, 11/20/2009
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon w/AC (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Wish I'd bought 2 of these. Got the unbelieable price of $12985 (new car & delivery). Flawless experience so far. Really would buy another at this price instantly. But the new '09 are much more pricy. Complaints about lack of power are invalid. I used to be a Freeway Patrol Officer and I'm happy with the power of the I4. Can't find anything wrong with the build or performance of this car. I love it. Get 20/25 mpg. My similar sized Camry I4 get 28/32. It's not sexy, but it's beautiful.
Love the car!
Jay Dee, 10/26/2010
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Kia Rondo in May 2010. My Saturn VUE was totaled, and fortunately, I got a good deal and was able to pay cash for the Rondo. This car is fun to drive, especially easy to access if you are short or disabled. There are two problems I have with this car. Gas mileage stinks! My SUV got better mileage than this! I get an engine knock when the A/C is on. The compressor was replaced (under warranty) but the noise continues.
Kia Rondo 2008
Windy Kia, 07/15/2008
2008 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Our 2008 7 Passenger Kia Rondo has been making a wind noise coming out of the driver side window since we bought it. It sounds like there is air leaking in the car. Kia claims they cannot fix it and it is intended to be this way. They also claim that all 2008 Kia Rondos make this air leak noise. Aside from this issue we have been happy with the vehicle.
Good compact SUV
Sergei, 05/16/2018
2009 Kia Rondo LX Base 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
This is a basic compact SUV. I have owned it (2009 model) for over 5 years and do not recall having major problems. The 3rd row is fine for occasional younger folk. You you are planning to ferry people in the 3rd row all the time, getting in and out is not a snap. The only wish I have is that they would continue making Rondos, for I do not think there is another car like this on the market.
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rental
majajh, 07/19/2009
2009 Kia Rondo LX Base 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
5 of 8 people found this review helpful
Good little car I rented. Only problem is wind noise, and struggles in mountainous areas.
got money to throw away 2008 rondo is for you
NOT HAPPY, 07/17/2017
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
5 of 8 people found this review helpful
timing belt and water pump @ 60,000 miles and Kia was to lazy to correct the issue of ac condenser dripping directly onto front sub frame causing it to rust out (did find out fix for Ac issue would have been a cheap fix)... Sub frame repalcement is over 700.00 not including the labor 4+ hours( rondo currently only has 64,000 miles on it)... if you have a rondo then you have this issue, period... Kia will admit that there is a rust issue for high salt and offers a undercoat recall.... it simple.. cheap made cheap metal..
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Great Car/Crossover
Thelma, 09/02/2009
2009 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
I wanted a bigger car than what I had, but not to big, as I need to lift my Kayaks on the roof, I tried a few different cars, and found the Rondo to be just what I wanted, it looks good and its fun to drive, all the dials and such are easy to reach/use. Its just a cute great car....
Most bang for the buck
Marc, 02/13/2009
2009 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
10 of 21 people found this review helpful
I was impressed when I drove the car. Ride was excellent, quite and stable. Seats are comfortable. Visibility is outstanding. Incredibly roomy even for all my 6'4" and taller friends. I elected for the EX with premium package. The leather is good quality. The navigation system is sharp and the Infinity sound system is awesome. It doesn't feel like an inexpensive car at all. I have the third row for the kids, but adults 6' and shorter can fit comfortably with no compromises. The 175hp 4cyl engine is surprisingly peppy even full of adults and cargo. Fuel economy so far has been 24city/30hwy. This car is perfect in my opinion. It has everything I need and nothing I don't for a great price
Surprised
milesap, 03/07/2010
2008 Kia Rondo EX 4dr Wagon (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Let me just say this car was purchased for my wife who is a small person with severe arthritis in the knees. The Rondo was the only car that she could easily get in and out of. Unlike SUVs and sedans where you either have to climb up and in or climb out of. Not this car slide in slide out and the six inch wider space for its class clinched the purchase. Now I have owned this car for 18 months and four trips to Fl 20 hours each way and can safely say this baby is a sound and reliable puppy not a glitch. I have degenerative disc disease in the lower back and I have no problem of or discomfort when the boss lady lets me drive the car.
Waste of money
Tm, 10/22/2019
2008 Kia Rondo LX 4dr Wagon w/AC (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 8 people found this review helpful
Look out for dealerships who will suck money out of you! I spent 10995 plus interest. I recently paid it off after 3 yrs. Had to replace ball joints 2 times, a coil spring a couple weeks ago and now the brake line is shot along with a ln extremely rusted fuel line and oil pan. They quoted me a few thousand to get it all fixed. Not worth it! It the beginning she worked great but it didn't take long for a million things to go wrong with it.
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