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24 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday September 12, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Experience the Kia Rondo 2007 XL7 works well with Rondo's overall mission of substance over style. Curious, too, that when many manufacturers bust a gut to make their crossovers all macho and SUV-like, we have Kia opting to make a crossover more minivan like. But again, if the most efficient use of space means a minivan profile, then that's what we should get, by gum. On the road, the Rondo doesn't push the envelope either. But why should it? It behaves perfectly for a value-conscious minivan. Our tester was the EX-Luxury model, which sits atop the Rondo food chain, and was thus equipped with the V6. While sporting good technology -- all-aluminum construction, DOHC, 24 valves, dual variable valve timing -- it doesn't feel especially strong. Maximum horses (182) and torque (182 lb-ft) are only available at revs not normally commandeered around town. But throttle response and refinement are excellent, and the five-speed transmission shifts very smoothly. Net result: get used to a milder pace, and you'll be perfectly content. V6 fuel economy is reasonable, though not groundbreaking (11.8 city/7.9 highway L/100 km). The 2.4-litre engine's economy ratings are only slightly better (11.0/7.5). On the highway, the Rondo has quite a strong on-centre feel, and is not all that happy when asked to undertake abrupt lane changes. The steering also feels a bit heavy in parking lots. Otherwise, it's very easy to navigate; helped by a great "command of the road" feel from the driver's seat, afforded by its short snout, low cowl, tall roof line, and big windows. Rondo is also built low to the ground, which helps stability, and mitigates that top-heavy feel inherent in some SUV designs. It also has a comfortable ride, and is quite quiet (notwithstanding a bit of wind noise around the A-pillar). But its main competitor in the cheap and cheerful three-row-seating sweepstakes -- the Mazda5 -- is particularly athletic. And it can also be ordered with a stick. So if you're looking for a bit more driving thrills in the segment, you should probably look Mazda's way. Also bear in mind that the "5" only seats six, is based on a compact car platform (Mazda3), and is several hundred pounds lighter than the Kia. The other main differentiator is that Rondo has swing-out rear doors, compared with Mazda's more minivan-like sliders. This makes it a bit more challenging for rear-seat ingress and egress when the Rondo is confined in a tight parking spot. But maybe the ultimate decider might be whether or not you can live without heated seats. They're not available on Mazda5, but are standard on every Rondo model, save one (LX five-seater). Power windows, seats, locks, and mirrors are standard across the board. And there are lots of cupholders. Other goodies are optional or standard depending on trim level, which starts at the LX 4-cyl 5-seater ($19,995), and goes skyward through EX 4-cyl 5-seater ($21,995), EX V6 5seater ($22,995), EX Premium 4-cyl 7-seater ($23,995), and EX V6 Luxury 7-seater ($25,995). The price range illustrates the one fl aw in the Rondo's value proposition -- seven seats can only be had on the more expensive EX trim line. But Rondo is still the least expensive seven-seater you can buy. The EX seven-seaters are also the only models to feature the larger 17-inch alloy wheels (all EX models have more chrome, body cladding, fog lights, and roof rails). The second row seats three, and slides fore and aft almost a foot, to allow easier access to the back of the bus, and to squeeze out a bit more third row legroom. I was comfortable enough in that third row, with ample head and legroom, though my head was pretty close to the tailgate glass. Note also that there are no child-seat anchors for that third row, so it will be off limits to small fry. With the third row up, there is, predictably, not much luggage room (184 L, 6.5 cu-ft). But the seat folds down in a 50/50 split to create a very useful 897 L (31.7 cu-ft) cargo hold. Fold the second row down as well (60/40 split), and you have 2,067 L (73 cu-ft) at your disposable, which is fairly impressive. The space is also wide and tall -- it could easily take a fridge. But we're not sure how much heft the Rondo could handle, because it appears to be already riding pretty low on its rear suspension. Towing capacity (without trailer brakes) is 1,000 lbs. At the front of the ship, you'll find the driver's seat surprisingly sport-sedan firm, and all the controls easy to find and figure out. Maybe they could have used a higher grade of plastic here and there (on the steering wheel for instance), but everything fits neatly and seems durable. Ultimately the Kia Rondo shines because of what it doesn't do -- over-promise. We're talking low-key and low maintenance but also high value and high utility. And with its mild mannered, yet competent personality, Rondo drivers are free to use their minds elsewhere. You can take two trips for the price of one. $ WINNER Motoring TV Best New Large SUV 379 1.8 0 LEASE FROM FOR 60 MONTHS ** % FINANCING %*** PER MONTH DOWN PAYMENT $2,365 MSRP $30,995* FOR 48 MONTHS XL7.ca Available AWD / 3.6 litre, V6 engine / Front and side curtain airbags / Seating for seven / Climate control A/C / ESP with traction control / ABS with EBD / 5-speed automatic Cruise control / Power steering, windows, mirrors and door locks / Remote keyless entry / Tire Pressure Monitoring System / Engine immobilizer / AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with 6 speakers Towing capacity: 3,500 lbs / Fuel economy: City --12.9 L/100 km (22 mpg); Hwy --9.0 L/100 km (31 mpg) 2007 SWIFT+ $ 179 0 1.8 0 ** $ % %*** PER MONTH MSRP $13,895* FOR 60 MONTHS AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with 4 speakers / 1.6 litre, 4 cylinder engine / Seating for five / Tachometer / Digital clock / Tilt steering / Power steering / Rear window wiper and washer Rear window defroster / Dual front and side airbags / Split-folding rear seatbacks / Engine block heater / Child-proof rear door locks Fuel economy: City -- 8.9 L/100 km (32 mpg); Hwy -- 5.9 L/100 km (48 mpg) 2007 GRAND VITARA $ WINNER Consumer Guide Automotive "Best Buy" Award for Compact SUV 299 2.7 0 LEASE FROM LEASE RATE FOR 60 MONTHS ** % PURCHASE FINANCING %*** PER MONTH DOWN PAYMENT $3,945 MSRP $25,495* FOR 48 MONTHS Standard 4WD / 2.7 litre, V6 engine / ABS with EBD / 6 standard airbags / Climate control A/C / ESP with traction control / AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA player with 4 speakers Information display (clock, outside temperature, fuel consumption & range) / Remote keyless entry / Power steering, windows, mirrors and door locks / Towing capacity: 3,000 lbs Fuel economy: City --13.0 L/100 km (22 mpg); Hwy --9.5 L/100 km (30 mpg) CONSUMERS SHOULD READ THE FOLLOWING: Vehicles may not be exactly as shown. *MSRP for the 2007 XL7 with automatic transmission (model 6E1D8A7) / 2007 Swift+ with manual transmission (model H5MS5A7) / the 2007 Grand Vitara with manual transmission (model LLN81S7). Destination and Delivery ($1,395 / $1,195 / $1,395) not included in MSRP. Registration fee, license, insurance, administration fees and applicable taxes are not included. **Limited time offer to qualified retail customers on approved credit (O.A.C.) available through FinanciaLinx to lease a new 2007 XL7 with automatic transmission (model 6E1D8A7) / 2007 Swift+ with manual transmission (model H5MS5A7) / 2007 Grand Vitara with manual transmission (model LLN81S7) for 60 months. Total lease obligation of $25,101.44 / 10,740.08 / $21,881.31$ including down payment of $2,365 / $0 / $3,945, or equivalent trade-in, with 100,000 km total mileage allowance ($0.10/km for excess mileage).$0 security deposit. First month's lease payment is required at lease inception. Lease payments include Destination and Delivery ($1,395 / $1,195 / $1,395). This offer does not include license, insurance, acquisition fees of $350, administration fees, PPSA of $60 + taxes and any applicable taxes which are due at lease inception ***0% purchase financing is available for 48 months on 2007 XL7 and 2007 Grand Vitara and on 60 months for 2007 Swift+. Finance example: $10,000 at 0% APR for a 60 / 48 month term; the monthly payment is $181.66 / $208.33; cost of borrowing is $0; total obligation is $10,000. Down payment may be required. ****These offers cannot be combined with any other offer except for the Suzuki Graduate Program. With the Suzuki Graduate Program, recent university or college graduates may be eligible for an allowance on the purchase or lease of certain models. Fuel economy based on Transport Canada ratings. ESP is a registered trademark of Daimler-Chrysler AG. Dealers may lease or sell for less. See participating dealers for details. Suzuki of Oakville 2219 Wyecroft Road, Oakville, ON L6L 5L7 905-469-2429 Toll Free 1-866-229-3897 Fax 905-469-4562 FOR MORE INFO OR TO FIND THE DEALER NEAREST YOU, VISIT SUZUKI.ca