The consumer wins in this battle of the vans.

KIA RONDO vs. MAZDA5

JEREMY CATO

We've had a 2008 Kia Rondo tester for a couple of months now and it's been a reliable workhorse wagon.
Starts up every time, first time. No breakdowns, no problems at all.

The cabin, meanwhile, is huge for a compact. We've loaded it up with everything from a new toilet for a renovation to
flooring, stepladders, modest-sized cabinets and even people.

This $26,095 Rondo has, allegedly, room for up to seven, thanks to the flip-and-fold third seat. Well, little people back there
can survive for short hops, but forget about a family holiday. Four adults are perfect for the front and back seats.

I've been calling the Rondo a wagon, but it is more a minivan with hinged rear doors and a big hatch at the back.
All very practical for families.

The quality piece is the bigger surprise here. If you go back a few years, Kia had its problems.
The three-year J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) ranks Kia well below average.
Not a single Kia model appears among the top three in any segment for the VDS, too.

Fast forward to the most recent J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, which looks at problems reported in the first 90 days,
and you get a completely different story. There, Kia ranks above average and Kia models are scattered among the top three.

The Rio/Rio5 actually beat out the Honda Fit and Hyundai Accent among subcompacts, and the Sedona minivan outscored
all the other similar-sized people movers in its class.

As for the Rondo, well, it hasn't been around long enough to get a reliability rating from Consumer Reports.
But to date there have not been any safety recalls and the only technical service bulletin of note calls for an inspection of the
curtain airbag — it might need a replacement module.

Kia has clearly cleaned up its quality act and now makes vehicles as reliable as anyone, and better than many.

The Rondo tester has very good fit and finish, even if the cabin's grey and black tones are a bit drab. Kia sells the Rondo
and its other models with a five-year/100,000-kilometre bumper-to-bumper warranty and it can do so because these vehicles
apparently don't break very often.

The V-6 Rondo does use a bit of regular gas, though. We've been averaging slightly more than 9.5 litres/100 kilometres (28 mpg)
combined for city and highway driving. That's okay, but not brilliant.

The 1,686-kg curb weight explains some of it, the 182-horsepower V-6 the rest. The Rondo does not lack for power and it feels
refined enough for this class. It is just not quite as fuel thrifty as other smallish V-6 engines out there.

Another strong point is safety. This Ronda has front, side and overhead curtain airbags. Those, along with solid chassis and body
engineering, have combined to earn the Ronda a top rating (five stars) in U.S. government front-crash tests.
Side impacts are rated five stars for the front, four for the rear and the rollover rating is four stars out of five.

If there's a drawback, the Rondo looks a little homely, rather than sexy. The boxy upright shape is perfect for all sorts of chores,
but it also shouts minivan.

Sure, the marketers prefer hipper labels like "crossover utility" or "multipurpose vehicle" or "sport wagon" or whatever.
But let's be honest; it's a minivan with hinged doors. For the record, the official government classification is compact wagon.

For a direct competitor, you need look no further than Mazda's own minivan, the Mazda5, with its sliding side doors.

The two vans have similar power, official fuel economy numbers and curb weights. Both hold a lot of stuff and up to
seven passengers when equipped with the extra rear seating.

Nit pickers will point out that the Mazda5 has 153 horsepower from its inline four-cylinder engine. On the other hand, a fully
loaded Mazda5 GT ($24,815) with automatic transmission ($1,100) and leather seat coverings ($1,130) lists for $27,045.
The Rondo EX V-6 seven-seater, then, with automatic and leather, is about a grand cheaper.

Head to head, the Mazda5 has crisper handling. The steering is surprisingly sharp for a minivan, the suspension firmer than
most would expect. The Rondo is a bit softer, with more relaxed but adequately precise steering. I personally prefer the Mazda5,
but not everyone wants a darty people mover.

The Mazda5 has a more attractive interior, too. Mazda is using richer-looking materials, but both cabins are completely functional.
Seats in each case are comfortable and visibility is excellent.

The Kia's big edge is in its impressive number of standard safety features. They include electronic stability control, tire-pressure
monitors, four-wheel antilock disc brakes and six airbags, including full-length side curtain bags.

The Mazda5 has the same airbag array, but no stability control. Kia's warranty is also much better than Mazda's
three-year/80,000-kilometre bumper-to-bumper offering.

What we've come to admire about the Rondo is that it is a value package that will probably run forever.
The road manners are good, the safety features extensive and proven and the functionality is incredible.
The Rondo is a versatile, reliable wagon/minivan with plenty of oomph for its size.

The Mazda5 is good, too, but less powerful, though more fun to drive and from this corner also a more attractive design,
inside and out. But you'll spend more for a Mazda5 and you can't get stability control at all, which is standard in the Rondo.

The real winner in all this is the consumer. Both of these vehicles offer a lot for around $25,000 and I have no trouble
recommending either one. Look for the competition to jump into this segment with more gusto very soon.

2008 Mazda5 GT

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2008 Kia Rondo EX V-6

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