Rondo on sale
Kia's mini MPV is already on sale in Europe and North America already -- now it's Australia's turnThe latest Kia product to reach our shores is the Rondo, a type of car previously sold here under the name Carens.
This latest model is actually marketed elsewhere as the Kia Carens, but Kia has adopted the name used in the US, Rondo, to sell the car in Australia.
Kia has structured the Rondo range in three tiers for Australia; base LX, upper-spec EX and leather-trimmed flagship, the EX-L.
All models seat seven in a 2-3-2 configuration. Kia is trusting that with the dramatic increase in fuel prices over recent years, Australian consumers will be more willing to consider a seven-seater that's basically a small car.
Powered by a 2.0-litre all-alloy DOHC four-cylinder, the Rondo offers a four-speed sequential-shift automatic transmission alone, in all grades other than the base LX, which is also available with a five-speed manual.
Prices start from $24,990 for the LX manual. Automatic transmission is a $2000 option for the LX ($26,990). An extra $2000 over the cost of the Rondo LX auto will put buyers in the seat of a Rondo EX auto ($28,990) and the flagship Rondo EX-L is a further $3000 over that ($31,990).
Metallic paint, priced at $350, is the one option. At the present, only four colours are available, Clear White, Urban Grey, Black Cherry and Fine Silver. From June production, the Rondo will be available with Moonlight Blue and Tomato Red -- and Urban Grey will be replaced by Titanium Silver.
Starting with the base-grade Rondo LX, standard features include air conditioning with outlets for the second-row seating, CD audio system with auxiliary input jack, 15-inch steel wheels, heated and electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, electric windows, dual front airbags, remote central locking, cloth trim, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and EBD, traction control and stability program.
Moving up one level to the Rondo EX, standard inclusions are: remote (steering wheel) audio controls, roof rails with crossbars, additional chrome trim for the grille, side mouldings and door handles, front fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, premium cloth trim and leather trim for the steering wheel and gear-changer.
At the top of the ladder, the Rondo EX-L is fitted with sunroof, leather trim, side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags and climate control air conditioning.
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