Yes, Avanza has strength in being economical and reliable. No surprising that Avanza is among the hottest selling model for a <2000cc class car.

Anyway, here's some pics of Rondo parked against a 1.6(A) G.Livina:



I think for dashboard you can just check the links in my earlier post. A lot of reviews comes with photos of the interior.

funnytone thanks for your unbiased review. Someone who actually walked the talk and went out and bought one. I've seen one but only had a short test drive so far. Hope I can borrow one for a longer test drive soon. Hezeri from CBT was very happy and enthusiastic about the Rondo. The exterior and interior panel gap fit and finish is amazing. Lift up the carpet mats and check the floor carpet - TOTALLY FLAT!! How does it compare to Stream, Wish and Livina I wonder? I remember seeing a horribly puffy hill and valley type floor carpet on the previous Stream. The Rondo quality follows that of the Optima and Sportage which I've seen since last year. Excellent build quality which can better any Japanese make (including CBUs) being sold in Malaysia.

congratz on ur new ride funnytone
wats the rpm reading when u travel more than 100km/h?

my avanza is around 4k at 110km/h and the engine is so damn loud
and not to mentioned the road noise as well
kinda regret as now got so many choices around the same price

Honestly, I never ride on an Avanza before. My previous car was Kelisa, so when changing to this Naza Rondo, its like the sky and the ground. I never complain about Kelisa before because never realised how noisy or bad it was. To me, that car was a savior. Now that I experience Rondo, only I realised the truth.

Turning on the ignition is effortless. 1 second is all it takes to rev up the engine to start. After that, the engine goes really silent without any vibration or noise. Its hard to tell if the car has started or not unless you rev the car. Sometimes its worrying to know the car is too silent. A few times I accidently turn the ignition key on without realising the car is already on ignition.

Anyway, I didn't take much notice about the RPM on the highway, too early to try out the car max speed before the first service. Although the time I went over 100kmph, the rpm stay within the 3000-3500 range. I did 140kmph that time.

As for the noise level, it was very quite. Let me put it this way. The time I did 140kmph, it was 10pm at night and my wife and children was sleeping at the 2nd+3rd row seat. I can clearly hear their snore. Don't take me wrong, my wife snore really soft type, not the ogre type. The Rondo interior really manage to insulate the noise outside very well. From inside, I could hear very little....just the sound of wind from the side mirror area and the road sound from the bottom of the car. Acceptable level for me.

funnyTONE actually for the first 150km or so you shouldn't corner hard, especially on wet surfaces. That's the minimum required to bed-in the tyres. Goodyears are good touring tyres but if you want to step up in grip/safety try the Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric. These are VERY good!

Observe your tachometer to see if the rpms are 0 or idling at close to 1000rpm. Looking at your dashboard I notice you've bought the Rondo EX with manual A/C. The EXS has 6 speakers, steering wheel remote control, designer roof rack and 16" alloy wheels.

Equipped with this same engine, my friend has the new Optima EX premium with Infinity Audio (in dash 6CD changer, subwoofer, 420W amp and 6 speakers), ESP, TRC, Nappa leather + suede seats (powered drivers side), footwell lighting, real aluminium dash trim, gated sports shifter, etc. ... I really LIKE THIS CAR! I believe he's laughing about his fuel consumption. It's GOOD!

Amazing observation dude. Yes, its an EX version. I would have chosen EXS if it comes with leather interior. $4k doesn't seem to justify enough the added accessories. Personally, I would prefer customize the accessories and bodykit myself someday.

ICE is the least of my priority. 4 speaker is sufficient for me, but thanks for pointing out that the EXS actually has 6. There ends the mystery. Most times, its my wife hogging the FM radio, and shes just content on the stock product. It'll be a waste to invest in a good ICE. Although, I am looking into installing a DVD touchscreen monitor to include GPS navigation. All in good time though.

The new Optima definitely lived up to its name this time. It should be in the same category as Camry and Accord don't you think? Anyway, hope to see more Rondo owner joining this thread to give better feedbacks.

Oh yes, regarding the tyres, so far its only been a couple of times I had to corner hard, and that was just to test the handling and grip But to me the breaking is what amazes me. Rondo is estimated to be around 1,590kg yet I can stop the car effortlessly and stable. Tyres also not really top of my list to change. Wait until its time to change a new one will I then consider your suggestion. Thx a heap!

nice review there.. atleast reading a review of someone who has driven and tested the car is way better than listening to badge-bashing people here..

looks to be a nice car to drive.. hope you enjoy your new ride..

i want to comment at aarex statement about nautica.. that he said he would prefer to buy toyota rush rather than nautica, just try to test both cars.. u know there's a difference.. nautica feels better than rush.. dont buy a car because of the badge.. nautica made in japan.. rush made in indonesia.. which you prefer.. japan product or indonesia product..

This post has been edited by edthrax: Oct 9 2008, 08:54 PM

I've used Michelin Pilot Preceda (made in France) on my bro's old Civic and he also used to use Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 on his Turbo BP TX3. The GSD3s were better, more grip, etc. and performed VERY well in the wet. On a turbo car you need it due to the sudden torque producing wheelspin in the wet - dangerous.

On the Optima EX high grade (aka Novus), the new one. The tyres are Michelin Pilot Primacy (made in France, not Thailand). These should be quite good too. But for now I would recommend the Eagle F1 GSD3 Assymetrico. This has a more MATURE tread pattern not the V type on the normal GSD3 so it will look subtle AND you can do tyre rotation.

My friend has good faith in the service and so far NO problems at all with his Optima. DAMN good, rock-solid and CHEAP!! His sister in law bought Civxx but the interior panel fit and finish was not so good compared to his. BTW yesterday I drove my colleagues Rondo EXS to lunch and back to test. It was in town so cannot really experience much. We got 11.5 litres/100km in town which is VERY GOOD for an MPV. I felt good - the interior was WIDE ... widest in its class I think but also a bit tough in narrow parking lots - BE CAREFUL. We then parked at KLCC just a few cars awar from a Livina. Honestly looking at the two I don't know why anyone would want to pay more and get less with the Livina. The Rondo is a global model (as opposed to the Asian only type Livina) with NHSTA and EURO NCAP 5 and 4 stars respectively. Combined with the Mitsubishi/Hyundai-Kia/CHrysler GEMA 2.0L engine, etc. this is a sure eye-opener to the Japs.

OK enough for now I sound like a salesman! But I just want to post a counterpoint to all the bad mouthers who haven't even done any research.

bro... how abt the fuel comsumption? naza cars fame for galloping fules instead of fuel-efficiency.... can review some details bout this?

After my first service a week ago, the FC stayed at 10L/100KM. Means 1L every 10KM or $2.45 per 10KM, or 25 cent each 1KM. Hope to see the FC go down further to 9L/100KM. To be honest, I don't think Kia focus much on the FC part for this model, but more on its safety, hence the extra weight, the engine power which is 2000cc and bigger cabin space, hence the extra width and height of the car. In any case, the pros outweight the cons and I don't intend to use this car for daily uses except for long distance travelling or monthly shopping spree.

bro... tks for yr info on the FC.... at the moment considering compact MPV for family. tks alot

The FC is really good for a car of this size, weight and engine capacity thanks to its DOHC CVVT engine. Read back in this discussion for more info.

---

Added on October 21, 2008, 12:47 pmBro funnyTONE any further updates on your RONDO?

This post has been edited by BikerVoodoo: Oct 21 2008, 12:47 PM

Heh, I've rarely visit LYN these days. Mostly, I hangout at autoworld.com.my. Met with a few Rondo owner from Muar.

Few days ago brought 5 friends into my car. Alot of praises for this car. They said the dashboard looks very savvy. Also the door shut sounds very solid. The 3rd row surprisingly can fit my 2 male friends, one who is 1.8m height.

Got response from my salesman Naza JB already sold 5 Rondo this month.

Korean also based on Mitsu engine at their early involvement....wonder why ???? Proton .....Hyundai .....Kia.....Chery.....Mitsu technology ....hu hu....now its Naza....brings this Naza Rondo....( what a Rondo.... ) ....anyway ...still overprice.......dashboard design .......NMT....sorry ....

Saw Rondo in Giant Puchong today. Black color, solid, better than Citra. Nice dashboard but lamps a bit old fashion. Not sure how's the performance coz cannot test drive.

This MPV below looks better, saw it in the newpaper ad last week and now got people talking about it here, Chery MPV.



Wanted to get an Avanza but many people tell me high fuel consumption and no power (1.5 oni mah).

Thanks for sharing your link Enigma. http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/825342 You seem to like your new Chery very much.

This post has been edited by ATIguy: Oct 25 2008, 10:38 PM

get naza better if compare to chery

1st chery if leceh then the spare part those will hard to find
2nd i heard my fren who work in china say the china sell in china very very cheap
so the quality of china car is lousy
3rd many people scare of china brand so less people buy=less people will bring china spare part come in
but it use 2.4 mitsubishi engine wonder if real 1...or put mitsu logo and say use mitsu engine

Why less people buy chery compare to naza rondo??
because chery is made by china so people heard china scare

if buy naza

1st no scare of lacks spare part
2nd outlook lost to chery but no worry
3rd power is ok...because only 8xk but if can use 2.4 will be better but i dont think is possible for this pricing

so

outlook=chery
power=if chery really is 2.4 100% made by mitsu then will be chery
reliable=naza because spare part easier to find
2nd value=i think will be naza
fc=still dont know yet

I did check out cherry before buying naza rondo. Sorry, but even the brochure looks amateur. From the outside, looks nice enough, but interior is so-so. All I can say is that Cherry has simply no taste and no originality. The front copy from audi, light also looks like gen2, inside looks like a merc wannabe.

Bear Bear,

Please dun rely on OTHER people words to form your opinions. Find out for yourself. I was skeptical of China cars too before I went to see the Chery. But what I saw blown me away.

See my review here: http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/803752/+20

and see Enigma4646 review here (he's very technical): http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/825342

And before that, I've test drove Avanza and Grand Livina, also saw Rush, Citra and Rondo (all below RM90k MPV).

See my comparison:

CHERY EASTAR
Engine: Mitsubishi 2.4L SOHC 16V
Max Power: 95kw@5500rpm
Max Torque: 198Nm@3000rpm (the best compare to others!!)
Min Turning Radius: 6m

TOYOTA AVANZA
Engine: Toyota 1.5 DOHC 16V
Max Power: 80kw@6000rpm
Max Torque: 141Nm@4400rpm
Min Turning Radius: 4.7m

TOYOTA RUSH
Engine: Toyota 1.5 DOHC 16V
Max Power: 80kw@6000rpm
Max Torque: 141Nm@4400rpm
Min Turning Radius: 5.2m

NISSAN GRAND LIVINA
Engine: Nissan 1.8L DOHC 16V
Max Power: 93kw@5200rpm
Max Torque: 174Nm@4800rpm
Min Turning Radius: 5.2m

Also, Chery Eastar MPV has Steptronic Transmission, Dual Air Bags, ABS, EBD, CD + MP3 player with USB, Dual Tone Horn, Beautiful LED Rear Lights & etc.
It has the widest body compare to the others above. That means good comfort for passengers.

As for Mitshubishi 4G64 2.4L engine, do you honestly think a car manufacturer can simply claim anything and JPJ will approve? This car is officiated by our DPM Najib and assembled by Oriental Honda in JB. They will have their own big factory in Pekan, Pahang soon. Most of all, I've felt the power of it's Mitsubishi 4G64 2.4L engine myself, and I can tell you, this monster roar whether on the highway or climbing Genting!!

hope that we can keep this thread clean. discussion should focus on rondo to benefit current and future owners.

no car is perfect, else others will close shop. each has pros and cons, and everybody has different acceptance level to the pros and cons. there will not be 'the best' car around for everybody.

so just pick one that u can accept most, and enjoy it.

Here is a comparison test between the Kia Rondo / Honda Stream and Mazda 5 test published by Cars, Bikes and Trucks recently

http://cbt.com.my/test-drive-sec/cat-compa...-kia-rondo.html