2008 Kia Rondo Trims and Specs

The 2008 Kia Rondo LX is a compact crossover that falls in between the Spectra5 and the Sorento. The front-wheel drive wagon sits on a fou-wheel independent suspension and is powered by a 2.4-lite, 162-hp DOHC I4 that gets 166 ft-lbs of torque. A 4-speed shiftable Sportmatic automatic is the only transmission.

Five-star frontal impact ratings are the result of standard 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distibution, electronic stability contol, and dual font-side and side curtain airbags for both rows. A tire monitor and automatic headlights are also standard, and foglights can be added. The 2008 Rondo rides on 16-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires. Two rows are standard. The second row split-folds 60/40, reclines, moves back and forth, and folds flat, along with the front passenger seat. A third row is optional. Front and rear power outlets and eight cupholders keep passenger convenience in mind. The cargo area holds 35 cubic feet with the seats up and comes with hooks. Under-floor storage behind the second row and a roof rack offer cargo versatility. Cross bars are optional.

Power windows, locks, and mirrors are part of the 2008 Rondo LX package. Also included are a CD player with new audio input jack, intermittent front and rear wipers, air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, and a tachometer. Sporty options include a body kit that adds front and rear spoilers, fender flares, ground effects, and side sills.

The 2008 Kia Rondo Base comes with the most minimal features, to keep the price down on this front-wheel drive compact family crossover, yet it refuses to skimp on safety equipment. The Base is only available with two rows, seating five people total. The second row and front passenger seat fold flat, with the second row also able to recline and move fore and aft. Storage space in the cargo area starts at 35 cubic feet, but it also contains under-floor compartments, and a standard roof rack expands storage space. Tie-downs are standard, and a dealer-installed net and cargo cover is available.

The only power features are power locks, There is no air conditioning in the 2008 Rondo Base, though it is offered as an option. The Base does have three front and rear power outlets, a tilt steering wheel, intermittent front and rear wipers, a tachometer, defroster, and even a CD player. Power comes from a 2.4-liter, 162-hp DOHC I4 and 4-speed shiftable automatic.

The Rondo Base shares a platform and the four-wheel independent and rear multilink suspension with the Optima, meaning it drives more like a car than an SUV. 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, electronic stability control, dual front-side and side curtain airbags for both rows, and automatic headlights earn four and five-star ratings. The 16-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires come with a tire pressure monitor. Aside from air conditioning, the only other option for the 2008 Rondo Base is a body kit package that adds front and rear spoilers, side sills, ground effects, and wider fender flares.

The powertrain represents the main difference between the 2008 Kia Rondo LX V6 and the LX. Under the hood of this front-wheel drive compact crossover sits a 2.7-liter DOHC V6 that puts out 182-hp and 182 ft-lbs of torque. It is matched with a 5-speed shiftable Sportmatic automatic. Otherwise, the LX V6 is identical to its I4 sibling.

Two rows are standard, with the option to add a third row. The second row split-folds flat 60/40 and also reclines and moves back and forth for more storage or legroom. The third row split-folds 50/50. The front passenger seat also folds flat. Standard equipment includes tilt steering, 8-way and 4-way manual adjustable front seats, full power features, front and rear intermittent wipers, a tachometer, and a CD player with an MP3 input jack. There are three power outlets and eight cupholders. Conventional rear passenger doors are longer in length to help with access to the third row. The cargo area holds 35 cubic feet with the seats up and comes with tie-downs and hooks. There is extra storage underneath its floor and on the standard roof rack.

Crossovers are family-oriented, and safety is key in the 2008 Rondo LX V6. Six airbags include dual front-side and side curtain for all rows. Active head restraints, 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, stability control, automatic headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, and a tire monitor provide extra security. You can add a sporty body kit to the LX V6, which includes side sills, fender flares, and front and rear spoilers. An extra option for the V6 is the Convenience Package, with features such as remote entry and cruise control.

A few flashier styling notes, such as chrome trim and front grille, and more standard features set the 2008 Kia Rondo EX apart from the LX. Upgrading to the EX gets you wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, remote entry, heated mirrors, leather trim for the wheel and shifter, foglights, and a CD player with MP3 playback capability. New for 2008 is an input jack for an MP3 player. Other standards include full power features, front and rear intermittent wipers, a tachometer, and tilt steering.

A 2.4-liter, 162-hp DOHC V6 is the power source for this front-wheel drive compact crossover and gets 19/26 mpg. A 4-speed Sportmatic automatic is the only transmission. The wagon features car-like handling, thanks to a four-wheel independent suspension and rear multilink suspension. It rides on larger 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires. 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes come with electonic brakeforce distribution. Stability control, automatic headlights, active head restraints and dual front-side and side curtain airbags for all rows are standard and earn four and five stars in crash tests.

The 2008 Rondo EX offers two rows of seats for five people, and an optional third row bench extends capacity to seven. The second row split-folds 60/40, the third 50/50, and the front passenger seat also folds flat. The second row also reclines and moves forward and back to help with third row access. Tie-downs are standard in the 35 cubic foot trunk, and a dealer-installed cover and net can be added. A roof rack and in-floor compartments (on 5-passenger vehicles only) are also standard. There are more available options for the 2008 Rondo EX, such as a sunroof, leather seats, heated seats, and 6-CD changer. The sport body kit is offered as well on the EX.

The V6 in the 2008 Kia Rondo EX V6 name stands fo a 182-hp, 2.7-lite, 24-valve DOHC V6 engine. Putting out 182 ft-lbs of torque at 4000 RPM, the engine is matched with a 5-speed shiftable Sportmatic automatic and gets around 18/25 mpg. This compact crossover trim is sportier and better equipped than the LX V6, with more exterior chrome and larger 17-inch wheels with all-season tires. It seats five in two rows, with the option to add two more people in a small third row. All rows fold flat, including the front passenger seat. Both second and third rows split-fold (60/40 and 50/50 respectively), and the second row also reclines. Large conventional doors and a second row that slides back and forth aid access.

Along with standard power features, intermittent front and rear wipers, a tachometer, tilt steering, and three cupholders (two front, one rear), the 2008 Rondo EX V6 adds some more high-end features. These include leather trim for the wheel and shifter, remote entry, cruise control, wheel-mounted audio controls for a CD/MP3 player, and standard foglights. An MP3 player audio input jack is new for 2008. A roof rack is standard, and there are interior storage compartments under the floor and in the front console. Available only for the EX trims are optional heated leather seats, a 6-CD player, and a power sunoof. To jazz things up, you can add the optional body kit, which includes flared fenders, front and rear spoilers, and ground effects.

Earning four and five stars in crash tests, the 2008 Rondon EX V6 boasts standard stability contol, 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes with electonic brakeforce distribution, and dual front-side and side curtain airbags for all rows. Automatic halogen headlights and a tire pressure monitor provide added safety measures.