Kia Rondo News

Kia dropped the seven-seat Rondo MPV from the Australian market back in 2019, but is this the model to replace it?The Kia Carens - also called Rondo in some countries, including Australia - has just been uncovered in fourth-generation guise in India.But t

Kia Motors Australia has dropped the slow-selling Rondo and Soul from its local line-up, while the Optima mid-size sedan is also expected to leave showrooms by year’s end.

Kia's announcement of an Australian-first seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty could benefit buyers of others brands as they try to match it.One of Australia's fastest growing car brands, Korean company Kia, is about to upset its big name rivals by announcing a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, the longest in Australian automotive history. Kia’s sister brand Hyundai was the first company to offer a five-year, 130,000km warranty in Australia 15 years ago -- in 1999 -- as a response to quality concerns over a bungled safety recall the year before.Hyundai then increased its warranty coverage to five years and unlimited kilometres in 2006.RELATED: Small car price war about to heat upFrench car maker Citroen then raised the bar in March this year, offering new-car buyers an unprecedented six-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.Kia's new benchmark of a seven year, unlimited kilometre warranty will put the market leaders under increasing pressure given brands such as Toyota, Holden, Ford, Mazda, Nissan, Volkswagen, Subaru, Honda, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz only offer three years coverage. It means buyers of most mainstream brands will eventually be the winners as they try to raise their level of warranty coverage to either match or get closer to Kia's seven-year stretch. But none are yet to react.The longer warranty period will likely boost the resale value of Kia cars at trade-in time because used-car buyers will get the balance of the new-car warranty.Most new cars are sold after four years, according to industry figures. This means a typical secondhand Kia would give used car buyers three years of factory-backed protection against faults.The Kia warranty is part of the company's ambitious sales push in Australia after a decade of weak results.Kia is just outside the top 10 sellers but its sister brand Hyundai -- which sells, in effect, the same cars under the skin but with different body styles and different branding -- is in the top four.It is the largest gap between the two jointly owned companies in the world.Kia recently poached Hyundai Australia's sales and marketing boss Damien Meredith to head the Kia division locally and this is his first step towards doubling sales within four years."This is a watershed moment," said Mr Meredith. "Kia customers now have a peace of mind that can't be matched in the Australian new car market."The deal includes free roadside assistance for seven years -- if the car is serviced at a Kia dealer once a year.Kia has also extended its capped price servicing program to seven years -- one of the longest in the car business -- and that prices of routine maintenance will remain the same as before."The two year increase in warranty, capped-price servicing and roadside assist is absolutely transparent and we will not be asking our customers to dip into their pockets to fund the extra benefits," said Mr Meredith.

After 17 straight years as a Carsguide Car of the Year judge, I was wondering what to expect as we assembled the 10 finalists for the 2013 awards.There are always a few surprises, things to learn and like and loathe, and the field is more varied and relevant this year than at any time in the past. We have baby cars, family cars, an old-school wagon, SUVs, even a new-age Benz, and the value is outstanding in every case.One of the early favourites is the last of the true Aussie cars, the VF Commodore. It looks a little out of place, so big and bland as a starting-price Evoque sedan, and is quickly put right into its place as we begin the 60-kilometre driving loops used to assess the various contenders. That place is the past.These days the Commodore is an all-rounder in a world of specialists, and that's why it - and the Ford Falcon - are heading into history. And why the Commodore cannot win a COTY crown in 2013.There was a time when big Fords and Holdens made all the sense in the world, as they could cover every base from commuter car and taxi work to a family fun runner, a working wagon, and even a hotrod sporty sedan. It was a one-size-fits-all solution, even if the tailoring was never an ideal fit.Now the world has arrived in Australia, with 60-plus brands all competing in the toughest new-car scene on the planet, and there are cars which do every job better than a Commodore or Falcon. It's bespoke tailoring at its best.We have the proof right in front of us as the COTY contenders run through the loops and hoops.If you want a classy new family car, the Mazda6 is better.If you want a roomy family wagon, the Kia Rondo is better.If you want a flexible runabout, the Subaru Forester is better.If you want maximum bang for your bucks, the Mercedes-Benz A200 is better.So the Commodore finishes in the middle of the pack and, despite our patriotism and support for carmaking in Australia, that's what it deserves. It's a good car, and easily the best car to wear a Holden or Commodore badge, but that's just not good enough in 2013.This reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover 

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      Take a look at Kia's new second-generation Rondo people mover.   if (window.tconf) { window.tconf({"tags" : "content:type=video", "plugins": {"vcms": {}}});}

The Kia Track'ster may show a future path, but a renewed attack on the mini peoplemover segment and a new small car will lead the Kia charge next year. The new Rondo seven-seater - including a diesel model - will follow a phased release of the new Cerato range in the first half of 2013, including a diesel variant of the mini peoplemover. Kia national sales manager Alan Crouch believes the Rondo seven-seater is headed for an untapped market segment. "We think it has a huge, a latent market because it looks more like a hatchback." "We like the set-up of the seven-seater, they haven't caught the imagination here because they haven't looked like a good hatch," Crouch says. Kia Australia chief operating officer Tony Barlow says the Korean brand is also looking at models from the sport coupe end of the spectrum - although there's nothing from the Veloster family with a Kia badge in the immediate future. The Track'ster that will star for Kia at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney later this month is set to show a possible future path, Barlow says. "The Track'ster will be out here at the motor show - and that will catch people's eye, that's a concept car that could come to reality as well.". Barlow says the pro-cee'd is also being further examined by the brand for Australia but had a few hurdles to clear yet. "It is something we'd like to have a bit of a closer look at, it went on sale in Europe in May - we had a look at it in Paris and it's something we'll follow up on, but at this point in time it's nothing firmer than a thought," he says. The brand's last few years have been the most exciting for the Kia badge in Australia. "We've been here for about 15 years, the last third has seen the most exciting changes have occurred." "Since Sportage it has been a humbling experience to see how well-received Kia has been with customers, voting with their purchases," Barlow says.  "We have launched the 5dr Cerato, the Optima, the Rio and now Sorento - all of that activity has supported our domestic sales and brand strength - we're experiencing 23 per cent growth over 2011, the market is at 9.5 per cent growth," he says. Kia sold 2744 vehicles in September (up by 500 units over September 2011) and is up 4431 sales in 2012 in year-to-date terms.  

A renewed attack on the mini peoplemover segment and a new small car will lead the Kia charge next year.

That decision is despite the European move away from the full-sized people-mover with the new mid-sized model. The new Rondo goes on show at this week’s Paris Motor Show.

Families wanting a compact seven-seater that's not an SUV have a choice of - one. Kia will launch an all-new Rondo about April next year in its “category of one” that sits on a fresh platform and boasts more cabin room, better economy and a more attractive design. “I don't think this can be considered a permanent seven seater,'' says Kia Australia spokesman Kevin Hepworth.“But it certainly is capable of seating up to seven and it has a very flexible and roomy interior. “It's styled and engineered for buyers who want all the versatility and space of an SUV, but don't want to be seen in an SUV.''This will be the third-generation of the Rondo - the first model came here as the Carens - and Kia hopes its redesign will expand its audience. The new Rondo, expected to sit on a lengthened Cerato platform, is likely to retain a 2-litre engine and manual and automatic transmission choices, come in two trim levels and be priced similar to the current models' $26,000 and $32,000.The Rondo goes on display at this month's Paris motor show, along with Kia's Optima Hybrid - which is not on the Australian boat - and the next Sorento SUV. Kia Australia says the Sorento, due here early next month, won't follow the market lead set by its associate company, Hyundai, when it recently launched the Santa Fe.The Sorento will come with the option of a 3.5-litre petrol V6 and as a front-wheel drive version - both not available on the Santa Fe. For Australia, the range will be a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel, the V6 petrol and either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Mr Hepworth says a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol model is under consideration for Australia. This 145kW direct-petrol injection engine is also fitted to the Optima sedan and is to be added to the European and UK range from the end of this year.