| With the ever increasing prices of | | | | since its seats are higher off the floor |
| gasoline not to mention the growing | | | | approximately 270 millimeters compared |
| problem on global warming car buyers | | | | to the 230 mm on Kia. |
| have chosen to purchase smaller, | | | | The space on the second row is just |
| eco-friendly, and highly fuel efficient | | | | right. The seats are also comfortable |
| cars. In North America which was once a | | | | and can easily be moved to and fro. When |
| citadel of minivans and SUVs are | | | | the third row is vacant moving the seats |
| shifting to more urban-friendly | | | | back provides passengers with more room |
| alternatives. The competing models are | | | | to stretch. But once the third row is in |
| Kia Rondo EX V6 and the Mazda 5 GT; | | | | use, pulling the middle-row seats |
| these two models offer five-plus seating | | | | forward gives the third row with ample |
| with plenty of cargo space especially | | | | space. |
| when the third row seat is not in use. | | | | When it comes to up front, there is very |
| The Rondo and the Mazda 5 are in some | | | | little to differentiate the two |
| way similar like for instance the | | | | vehicles. The driving positions are |
| sharp-edged flashing on the glove box | | | | comfortable, provides better visibility, |
| door. Their biggest similarly so far is | | | | and the layouts overall are logical. |
| the seating capacity, Mazda 5 can | | | | Both cars also comes with air |
| accommodate six in a 2+2+2 configuration | | | | conditioning but is offered as an option |
| while Kia adds a seventh spot to the | | | | on the Mazda 5. Both cars are also |
| middle row but of course imagining the | | | | equipped with decent audio packages and |
| limited seat space it will only be able | | | | power locks, windows, sunroofs, and |
| to accommodate a child. | | | | mirrors. The noticeable difference is in |
| Both cars also deliver a high level of | | | | the manual adjustment for the 5's cloth |
| flexibility and cargo capacity. Although | | | | seats versus the power adjusters for |
| the idea of folding the middle and third | | | | Kia's heated leather buckets. |
| row seats flat down may prove to be a | | | | Differences are also evident in the |
| simple matter however for Kia this is | | | | doors. Kia makes use of four |
| not the case, you have to remove first | | | | conveniently hinged doors while Mazda |
| the second-row headrests. And not only | | | | utilized sliding rear doors. This |
| that when it comes to the actual cargo | | | | difference may be subtle but still |
| carrying capacity it gets a little too | | | | highly significant. The advantage of the |
| muddy for Kia. | | | | Mazda door is the fact that it is easier |
| The maker of Mazda radiator, Mazda and | | | | to load especially when it is parked in |
| Kia seem to use a different method when | | | | tight spots however the down side of it |
| it comes to calculating the relative | | | | is that it hinders access to the third |
| space available however one thing is for | | | | row because the leading edge eats into |
| sure with the third row deployed, there | | | | the entryway. |
| is no cargo space in either vehicle. But | | | | In terms of fuel economy it is pretty |
| take note once the third row is down the | | | | much a tie. The Mazda 5 is rated at 11.2 |
| cargo space quadruples. And with the | | | | liters per 100km for city driving and |
| center row seat flat, the Rondo opens up | | | | 8.3 liters for highway driving. On the |
| to 73.4 cubic feet. The Mazda 5 was able | | | | other hand Kia consumes more fuel in |
| to match this space however its roofline | | | | town but much better on the highway. |
| may slightly limit its overall height. | | | | When it comes to safety, the Rondo |
| As for the accommodations, both Mazda | | | | surpass the Mazda 5 by coming with |
| and Kia are at par with each other. In | | | | standard traction and electronic |
| the third row Kia has noticeably more | | | | stability control systems unfortunately |
| legroom, headroom, and knee room. On the | | | | neither are offered on the Mazda 5. Both |
| other hand Mazda has a hard plastic trim | | | | however are equipped with front and side |
| piece that is right over the head of the | | | | seat-mounted air bags as well as |
| passengers. In terms of seating comfort, | | | | drop-down side curtains and active |
| Mazda provide slightly more comfort | | | | headrests. |