2009 Kia Rondo news, pictures, and information

Kia Motors' Crossover Utility Vehicle Returns to the Crossover Segment with Impressive Standard Comfort Convenience and Safety Features

Available wîth either a 2.4-liter in-line four-cylinder engine or a 2.7-liter sixty-degree V6, Rondo's engines have upgraded horsepower. The four-cylinder now delivers up to 175 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque while the six-cylinder now produces 192 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder comes wîth a four-speed automatic whereas the V6 is equipped wîth a five-speed automatic, both mated to an electronically controlled Sportmatic™ transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) Fuel economy for the 2.4-liter engine is 20/27 A/T (city/highway), while the 2.7-liter V6 is 18/26 A/T (city/highway).

The front-wheel drive Rondo features independent front and rear suspensions. Situated in front are MacPherson struts wîth coil springs while the rear's multi-link and coil springs complete the layout to provide a comfortable, balanced ride. Standard front and rear anti-roll bars are calibrated for precise and responsive handling as wîth the tuned hydraulic power-assisted rack-and-pinion §teering.

Fresh and Functional Exterior

Available in either LX or EX models, Rondo exudes a fresh, clean look wîth a modern dynamic shape. Standard LX features include body-colored door handles, body-colored side moldings and black front grille crossbars packaged wîth 16-inch, six-spoke steel wheels fitted wîth 205/60HR16 tires. A new LX Plus Package replaces the 16-inch steel wheels wîth Michelin alloy wheels and adds floor mats and heated seats.

Úpgrading to an EX adds leather seat trim, fog lights, 17-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels and 225/50R17 tires. Standard chrome accents on the EX, include exterior door handles, side moldings and front grille crossbars. Integrated roof rails – sans crossbars – also are standard on EX and most LX models.

Interior Space wîth Comfort and Convenience

Exterior refinement continues to flow into the cabin. Standard features include air conditioning, power windows and door locks, a four-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system wîth new-for-2009 SIRIÚS Satellite Radio capabilities complete wîth three months of complimentary service and an auxiliary audio input jack for MP3 player connectivity. An iPod® cable is available as an option. With the Premium Package available on EX models, an eight-speaker Infinity® sound and navigation system, also new for 2009, become available. Standard on all EX models are §teering wheel-mounted audio controls, a leather-wrapped §teering wheel and shift knob, leather trim, illuminated vanity mirrors, heated seats and metal-finish interior door handles.

Inside Rondo, an immediate sense of spaciousness is evident. With an overall interior volume of 120.2 inches, the standard five- and optional seven-passenger CÚV offers seating configurations appealing to consumers lòòking for the functionality of a minivan or SÚV, but not the size and heft. Slightly taller and wider than its closest competitor, the Mazda5, Rondo provides a comfortable front row wîth 41.6 inches of headroom and 41.3 inches of legroom.

Second-row space is fixed at 40.2 inches of headroom and 38.2 inches of legroom regardless of a five- or seven-passenger seating layout. The optional third-row seating offers a sensible 35.1 inches of headroom and 31.3 inches of legroom, more than enough room to accommodate the average-sized adult. And when optioned wîth the third row, Rondo's second row adjusts wîth a forward/backward sliding.

The versatile second-row seats also provide flexible seating arrangements wîth a 60/40 multi-fold split, while the third row folds down in a 50/50 split. Additionally, both rows fold completely flat for maximized cargo room. Practicality does not sacrifice comfort as the driver's seat offers six-way adjustments, including height adjustment, and the front passenger seat offers a four-way adjustment. Each passenger also is well taken care of wîth an abundance of storage cubbies and cup holders located in every row.

Class-Leading Safety

Rondo, a recipient of the five-star frontal crash rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)1 in 2007, comes well-equipped wîth an unprecedented amount of standard safety equipment, including six standard airbags (advanced dual front, dual front seat-mounted side and full-length side curtain including third-row passengers). Also standard is electronic stability control (ESC) and a four-channel four-wheel antilock braking system (ABS), which help maintain vehicle control during difficult driving conditions. Active front headrests, side-impact door beams, an energy-absorbing §teering column, a front crumple zone and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) provide more passenger protection.

Industry-Leading Warranty

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