Mazda5 and Kia Rondo - Compared

With the ever increasing prices of gasoline not toof seating comfort, Mazda provide slightly more
mention the growing problem on global warming carcomfort since its seats are higher off the floor
buyers have chosen to purchase smaller, eco-friendly,approximately 270 millimeters compared to the 230
and highly fuel efficient cars. In North America whichmm on Kia.
was once a citadel of minivans and SUVs are shiftingThe space on the second row is just right. The seats
to more urban-friendly alternatives. The competingare also comfortable and can easily be moved to and
models are Kia Rondo EX V6 and the Mazda 5 GT;fro. When the third row is vacant moving the seats
these two models offer five-plus seating with plenty ofback provides passengers with more room to stretch.
cargo space especially when the third row seat is notBut once the third row is in use, pulling the middle-row
in use.seats forward gives the third row with ample space.
The Rondo and the Mazda 5 are in some way similarWhen it comes to up front, there is very little to
like for instance the sharp-edged flashing on the glovedifferentiate the two vehicles. The driving positions are
box door. Their biggest similarly so far is the seatingcomfortable, provides better visibility, and the layouts
capacity, Mazda 5 can accommodate six in a 2+2+2overall are logical. Both cars also comes with air
configuration while Kia adds a seventh spot to theconditioning but is offered as an option on the Mazda
middle row but of course imagining the limited seat5. Both cars are also equipped with decent audio
space it will only be able to accommodate a child.packages and power locks, windows, sunroofs, and
Both cars also deliver a high level of flexibility andmirrors. The noticeable difference is in the manual
cargo capacity. Although the idea of folding the middleadjustment for the 5's cloth seats versus the power
and third row seats flat down may prove to be aadjusters for Kia's heated leather buckets.
simple matter however for Kia this is not the case, youDifferences are also evident in the doors. Kia makes
have to remove first the second-row headrests. Anduse of four conveniently hinged doors while Mazda
not only that when it comes to the actual cargoutilized sliding rear doors. This difference may be subtle
carrying capacity it gets a little too muddy for Kia.but still highly significant. The advantage of the Mazda
The maker of Mazda radiator, Mazda and Kia seemdoor is the fact that it is easier to load especially when
to use a different method when it comes to calculatingit is parked in tight spots however the down side of it
the relative space available however one thing is foris that it hinders access to the third row because the
sure with the third row deployed, there is no cargoleading edge eats into the entryway.
space in either vehicle. But take note once the thirdIn terms of fuel economy it is pretty much a tie. The
row is down the cargo space quadruples. And withMazda 5 is rated at 11.2 liters per 100km for city driving
the center row seat flat, the Rondo opens up to 73.4and 8.3 liters for highway driving. On the other hand Kia
cubic feet. The Mazda 5 was able to match thisconsumes more fuel in town but much better on the
space however its roofline may slightly limit its overallhighway.
height.When it comes to safety, the Rondo surpass the
As for the accommodations, both Mazda and Kia areMazda 5 by coming with standard traction and
at par with each other. In the third row Kia haselectronic stability control systems unfortunately neither
noticeably more legroom, headroom, and knee room.are offered on the Mazda 5. Both however are
On the other hand Mazda has a hard plastic trim pieceequipped with front and side seat-mounted air bags as
that is right over the head of the passengers. In termswell as drop-down side curtains and active headrests.