A tall wagon, or a minivan without the sliding rear doors, the Rondo is an efficient people mover with a maximum seating capacity of seven thanks to its optional third-row seats. Kia calls it a crossover, however, as neither wagon nor minivan are cool terms.

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Kia introduced the vehicle for 2007, and there are no changes to speak of for 2008.

Power comes from one of two engines, both powering the front wheels only. The base engine is a 2.4 liter four-cylinder, good for 162 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 164 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm. The optional motivator is a 2.7 liter V6, making 182 hp at 6,000 rpm and 182 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. The four-cylinder is hitched to a four-speed automatic, the six to a five-speed. Each combo is rated at 21 mpg city / 29 mpg highway and 20 mpg city / 27 mpg highway, respectively.

There are three trim levels; Base, LX and EX. The Base skips air conditioning, roof rails and body-color mirrors to drop the price of entry. Both the Base and LX models come with a 16-inch wheel package, while the EX rolls on low-profile 17-inch rubber. Apart from the wheels, the LX gets chrome door handles, side moldings and grille, as well as front fog lights, heated mirrors, a windshield de-icer, and the option of a power sunroof. Inside, the EX adds MP3 capability to the CD player, a cassette deck and two speakers to the audio system, and steering-wheel mounted cruise and audio buttons as well as the cruise control itself, which is optional on the LX. Details like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, the option of heated and leather seats, and a pre

Stopping the crossover is an ABS system modulating 11.0 inch vented discs up front and 10.8 inch solid rotors out back.

Buyers also get electronic stability control at no charge, as well as six airbags, which all helped the Rondo earn the top five-star crash safety rating in frontal driver and passenger crash tests from the National Highway Safety Administration.

As with other Kias, you get a 10-year / 100,000-mile warranty.