Hi,
I bought a Rondo LX V6 7 seater(Almond Beige with Beige interior )on Dec 31st Here is Seattle. I think I got reasonable good deal. I bought it because I need a occasional 6 seater.
I traded in my 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander with 36k and bought this. Since I have been driving this 2003 Outlander for last 4+ years, I do compare with that.
And remember these are my observations, and my opinion based on my experience. I am not criticizing or praising, just mentioning the observations and comparisons. I would welcome, your opinions, ideas, suggestions, tips, tricks etc....
Also, I may keep adding content to this post as I remember things I want to add.
It has following equipment.
LX V6 2.7L with Popular equipment Package
Convenience Package( Keyless, Alarm, Cruise Control).
Third Row 50/50 Split Folding Seat
Rear Upper Spoiler
Cross Bars
Carpeted Floormats
Rear Bumper Protector
Bought Original KIA Splash guards set(front and rear) for $35 incl shipping online. Did not get a chance to mount those. I hope these will reduce dirt, road grim splashing over front doors, as well add to some looks.
Looks:
Outside:
I liked the looks overall, but not really excited about it.
I liked the side profile, and rear profile is also look reasonably good.
But I do not get why door guards are mounted so low. Frankly they look fugly. They should have been installed at proper height and side profile looked much better, helps slab sided look.
Now the front, I do not know what they were thinking when they put that
dinky front grill on this size vehicle. It does not match the vehicle at all. They designed very good grill for Optima, and I am not sure why they put this ugly thing on this one. They should better change it as soon as possible.
Inside:
This is where I really liked. All interior looks very good, and feels richer than vehicle price suggests. All colors look pleasant, controls feel smooth, and accessibility of all controls including Audio, AC, Power Mirrors etc is very good.
But seats are getting dirty very easy(much easier than my Outlander, no spot in 4+ years even without covers in the any seat), and I also observed water marks on the seats as others mentioned. But in Seattle it is unavoidable.
Cruise control, somehow I felt side stacked column one is more comfortable to operate than this one. I used to have similar one in my previous accord, but my Outlander is side stack, and I felt it is more comfortable than this one.
Somehow, the AC/Heater Fan speed control is little different than I used to. To turn off the Fan completely we need to rotate direction control knob to off position. But almost all cars I used so far turn off fan when I rotate the fan knob completely to the left( counter clockwise).
And howcome rear wiper does not have intermitten setting? I thought by default all rear wipers are like that. But not a big thing, I usuall does not leave it on anyways.
Also, it seems front wipers are not speed sensitive ! My 2000 Honda Accord, as well as 2003 Mitsu Outlander both have speed sensitive wipers, so in Variable intermitten setting, wiper strokes increase as we go faster, and slows down considerably when we come to stop. And by the way this is a expensive vehicle than those two.(even after all these discounts)
Gear shifter position also little different than I used to, but that needs just getting used to. But one odd thing is when instrument lights are on, shifter drive modes light up on the shifter plate, but there is no indicator on shifter plate that show/glow which is mode is selected( ofcourse we can see in the dash).
View from inside is very good, I can see everything clearly.
Seating is reasonably good, but somehow I did not feel as good as my outlander(I may get used to it). You may say I got used to outlander, but the fact is when I traded in my 2000 Honda Accord and bought Outlander, I felt very comfortable with outlander even when I took first test drive.(Rather I felt at home with driving position).
One thing I really liked is how I can turn on interior lights by rotating the Instrument Panel brightness control. This is really useful when we need to look at the kids in the back. Also I liked the light with the luggage area, though not a must, it is useful.
And I do not know why there needs to be a light in the ash tray!!? May be a smoker can answer that? May be they just want make sure smoker do not put the burning cigar some other place!!?
I felt it is very easy to lift up the 3rd seats. But I am not sure how long that strap provided for lifting the third seat lasts, esp it goes under cargo every time we load something when seats are folded.
Parking brake kind of weird for me as I am not used foot brake like this. Also, I felt it is not holding with enough force despite I press it hard. So, putting in the drive mode, it just keeps moving. Generally I pull the parking brake hard, so even if we put the vehicle in drive, vehicle would not move without releasing the parking brake(unless you stomp on throttle). This way we would not forget that parking brake has been applied.
But this is not a big issue at all. It is only a parking aid.
Stereo/Radio: Radio controls are laid out very well, big and easy to operate.
Even with 4 speakers Stereo sounded good with a CD, but not so good for FM Radio. Overall Base is overpowering for my taste, so I dialed down the base -3 and Mid -5, and increased the Tone to +8 and that helped.
But what is beyond my understanding is why there is
no Aux jack, or why it does not play MP3s. Now-a-days even very cheap entry level cars head units with these features, how come this one does not have!!? It is a bummer. I felt overall it reasonably good, but compared to old Mitsu head unit sound quality is not that great( but layout and usability is good).
Now the
Engine and transmission:
I felt 2.7L V6 is very smooth and quite, even in cold start.
Transmission upshifts are smooth(but noticeable to me), and manual shifting is good.
I observed that it shifts to 5th gear near 38 - 40MPH with light throttle, so most local driving may be in 4th gear(which is not bad). I have not completed even my first tank, so I do not know the mileage. Frankly I am expecting something like 18MPG local.
Acceleration is pretty good, but I did not use full throttle or went above 4k RPM as engine is not broken-in yet.
Brakes: Brakes are good, pedal feel is okay. (I think I was spoiled by my Outie).
Steering: Steering is okay, lighter(which I like), little numb when compared to my two previous vehicle, and on-centre is little slower than I used to.
In turning there is moderate body lean, but I think it is well controlled.
Suggested impovements:
Engine/Transmission: with V6 everyone expect much more power, atleast 200HP, and it is easily doable( even 2008 Honda Accord 2.4L I-4 engine makes 190HP) and there is Chrysler 2.7l V6 which makes 200HP.
So,
make it 200HP, 190lb-ft torque, both are attainable with some minor changes.(This would improve acceleration figures too).( Minor+)
If required make gearing changes to transmission and improve fuel economy.(along with improved engine).(Minor)
Body:
Make it more aerodynamic(reduce Cd) and adjust the gearing accordingly(Read more fuel efficient, less wind noise).(Major).
Change that ugly front grill(Grill shape as well as size). Trivial.
Move the Door guards, where they belong( belt line).Not at the bottom of the door.(Trivial)
If possible offer sliding doors as option.(Minor++)
offer Navigation as an option.(should be trivial as it has Radio has double din setup)(Trivial).
Extend the body after back seat by 3" (keep the same wheel base and everything same). This would be really beneficial as currently 3rd row passenger seat is uncomfortably closer to rear hatch glass, and also adds much required space behind 3rd row seats.(atleast a stroller must fit).( This may fall under Minor++ or Major--). As adding 3" should not change dynamics much(as it is after the rear axles) and should not add any considerable weight.
Also, use much more high strength steel in passenger compartment and reduce some weight( may be something like 100lb).Major.
Also, it would be nice to have hatch glass open separate so we do not need to open whole door to put couple of grocery bags(Minor).
Most important thing, improve fuel economy more( as 2008 Mazda5 is substantially improved), and this would more visible once Rondo uses 2008 EPA standard.
Problems observed: So far I observed car is pulling to right(with or without Traction control), I know it is not road banking, as even in the left most lane where banking is to the left it pulls right, but intensity vary based on high much banking is there on the road. Not called the dealer yet. I will update once I give it for checkup.
I will upload photos shortly, as I have not taken any photos yet. It's been very cold, rainy, dark, so I am waiting for some sunlight.
My new Rondo- My opinion
Michael
Mazda 5 vs. Rondo
Linear Mode
