Mazda 5 vs. Kia Rondo - Which is Which?

The two vehicles are stunningly similar. However, they are different right down to the sharp-edged flashing on the glove box door. Seating constitutes the most visible similarity, wherein the Mazda5 has six in a 2+2+2 configuration, while the middle row of Kia has a seventh spot.

Both cars also yield huge flexibility as well as cargo capacity. However, Kia’s headrests in the second row have to be removed first when the middle and third rows flat need to be folded. As regards the cars’ cargo-carrying capacity, Mazda Motor and Kia Motor used different ways to compute the available relative space.

When the third row is moved down, the space produced is almost four times the original. When the centre row is flat, the Rondo is made available up to 73.4 cubic feet. Visually, the Mazda 5 has almost the same space as the Rondo, but its overall height may be slighted affected by its roofline.

As far as accommodations are concerned, both cars have a close fight. Kia has considerably more legroom, knee room and headroom spaces in the third row. The Mazda 5 also has a hard plastic trim piece on the headroom. However, this car has seats that are higher off the floor (270 millimetres compared to the Kia's 230 mm), which makes it quite more comfortable than the other car.

On both cars’ second row, seats are comfortable and can be moved back and forth. When the third row is vacant, the back seat can be moved and the middle-row seats can be pulled forward, which means more stretch-out space.

While the Mazda has few nice touches like a storage bin under the left middle seat and a handy tray/net under the right, Kia counters those with functional roof rails.

Up front, there are minimal differences between the two. The cars’ driving positions are good, visibility is also good (both feature triangular windows at the A-pillar that reduces what would be a bad blind spot) and the entire layouts are logically conceptualized. Both have air conditioning (a $1,100 option on the Mazda5), great audio packages and power locks, windows, mirrors and sunroofs. The only noticeable difference is the manual adjustment for Mazda’s cloth seats and the power adjusters for the Kia's heated leather buckets.

The doors also depict differences. The Rondo comes with four conventionally hinged doors while Mazda 5 is available with sliding rear doors. Therefore, the Mazda is easier to load when one is parked in a tight area. The sliding doors deter access to the third row on the down side due to the eating of the leading edge into the way of entry.

By Kraig Johanssen

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Sporting the Kia Sportage

What is the Kia Sportage, you may ask? The Kia Sportage is a compact sport utility vehicle from the Korean automobile maker. And even though it is from another continent, this vehicle still holds the capacity to bring about functionality and purpose into its very existence as well as to the American way of life.

How has the Kia Sportage been crafted for the American auto market? If you take a closer look at the Kia Sportage, one could see that this vehicle has a very powerful engine that could even beat the engines of those vehicles manufactured by American auto makers. Aside from that, the Kia Sportage has a roomy interior that provides its driver and its passengers optimum comfort as well as special ergonomic help. It also boasts of a simply yet head turning design. That is why for people who drive with Kia Sportage vehicles, they get stares from the people on the streets. If you are thinking about safety, need not worry for this vehicle also comes very well equipped with safety features that includes six air bags. And yes, all these come with a very affordable price.

Made available in three trim levels that comprise of the LX I4, the LX V6, and the EX V6, the Kia Sportage offers a whole range of choices for people with various lifestyles, needs, and uses for a vehicle. The vehicle also comes with a range of exterior color choices that make up of Black Cherry, Champagne, Natural Olive, Royal Jade Green, Satin Silver, Smart Blue, Smokey Brown, Steel Silver, Volcanic Red, and Clear White.

The Kia Sportage holds a wide package of features. The list includes 16 inch alloy wheels, a tinted windshield with sunband, a privacy side glass, black outside door handles, dual power black mirrors, dual power heated body color mirrors, fog lamps, multi reflector head lamps, auto head lamps, roof rails, dark gray metallic bumpers, body colored bumpers, body colored body side cladding, black rear garnish, mudguards, a rear spoilers, a black shifter plate, key color interior door handles, chrome interior door handles, a black center fascia, a leather wrapped steering wheel, floor mats, and an air filtration system just to name a few.

By Joe Wayne