Managing editor Rusty Kurtz, who commutes 170 miles per day, knows a thing or two about a driver's seat, and his gluteus maximus doesn't love the Rondo's. "What is it about this driver's seat? It doesn't go back far enough for my legs, which aren't especially long, and I feel like I'm sitting on it instead of in it." Kurtz also found the Kia's stability in strong winds a bit disconcerting. "The Rondo seems to get blown around by crosswinds, and that's made even worse by the overly sensitive power steering." Far from being a malcontent, Kurtz does appreciate several of the Rondo's attributes. "The dash is easy to look at with lots of places to store your cell-phone, drink, sunglasses, etc., and there's plenty of room for everybody you bring along. Lots of cargo room, too."
| 2007 Kia Rondo |
| Months/miles in service | 13/20,435 |
| Avg econ/CO2 | 19.7 mpg/0.98 lb/mi |
| Unresolved problems | None |
| Maintenance cost | $323.25 (2 oil change/inspection/rotate tires, adjust rear brakes) |
| Normal-wear cost | $29.98 (replace wiper blades) |