Brisbane show: $25,000 Rondo revealed

KIA has revealed a $24,990 opening price for its all-new Rondo crossover, an effective replacement for the unloved Carens people-mover that the Korean car-maker says will be the least expensive seven-seat vehicle available in Australia from May.

Ubiquitously describing it as part-SUV, part-MPV, part-wagon and part-hatch, Kia says the front-drive Rondo will appeal to “transitional” people who are entering a new stage in their lives and want a new type of car to match their changing needs.

“Rondo is a new approach to the crossover segment,” said Kia Motors Australia chief operating officer Peter Nochar at last Friday’s Brisbane motor show opening. “No other vehicle has quite the same configuration of seats, doors and body style. It combines the benefits of four conventional segments in one package - the Urban Recreation Vehicle.”

Kia says the Rondo’s high ride height, good visibility, functionality and adaptability will tempts traditional SUV owners, while “individual looks and style, a compact and manoeuvrable body shape, good fuel efficiency and safety equipment package” are features favoured by younger Australian hatchback buyers.

It claims the Rondo offers people-mover-style “seven-seat flexibility with third-row legroom for real people in a spacious, airy and well-equipped passenger compartment”, as well as the cargo-carrying capacity of a two-seater van or wagon.

“Kia has always been a brand that gives owners a little bit more, with outstanding value. At an entry price of just $24,990, this will be the best-priced seven-seat vehicle in Australia,” said Mr Nochar.

“When Rondo comes to the Australian market in May, I think you'll find that it's a great package at a great price. It will continue to not only redefine the Kia brand, but also set the benchmark for the new crossover segment.” Fresh from announcing a five-year extension to its naming-rights sponsorship of the Australian Open tennis tournament to 2013, Kia also used the Brisbane motor show to announce a new five-year new-vehicle warranty across its entire range from this year.

Applying to vehicles sold from January 1, 2008, the factory-backed warranty covers all Kia cars and SUVs sold for private use by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, while non-private (business and government) buyers will be covered by a five-year/130,000km warranty.

The move matches Australia’s best new-car warranty from parent company Hyundai, which introduced Australia’s first five-year aftersales back-up program more than eight years ago and in March 2007 lifted the 130,000km maximum-mileage clause for all but high-km commercial buyers like couriers, security patrollers and rental fleets.

Mitsubishi’s range-wide five-year/130,000km “bumper-to-bumper” new-car factory warranty is extended by a 10-year/160,000km powertrain warranty. Like them, the new Kia warranty is fully transferable.

Kia’s previous three-year/100,000km warranty will continue to apply to remaining stocks of the K2700 light truck, which will be replaced by the K2900 in March. Kia says the K2900 will offer a 60 per cent more powerful diesel engine and an increased 1.5-tonne payload.

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