2010 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2010 Kia Rondo: Which One Should I Buy?
Here are two different classes of cars: a 2WD SUV in Santa Fe and a mid-size station wagon or crossover Kia Rondo. The difference between these two classes may seem insignificant, but…
Here are two different classes of cars: a 2WD SUV in Santa Fe and a mid-size station wagon or crossover Kia Rondo. The difference between the two classes may not seem like much, but a crossover is on a completely different platform than an SUV, which means it will perform differently and also have a different type of fuel economy.
Hyundai Santa Fe offers a new line of powertrains that help save fuel but are still more powerful and efficient on a platform that is family-friendly and has great agility. The Rondo's low price helps make up for the fact that the exterior isn't exactly attractive, but it does have an incredibly spacious interior.
Fuel economy
While the two cars are technically in different classes, you can't tell from the fuel economy numbers. The 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway the Santa Fe delivers is surprisingly no different from the 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway provided by the Kia Rondo. The big difference, however, is the size of the fuel tank: the Santa Fe's 19.8 gallons versus the Kia Rondo's measly 15.9 gallons.
Price difference
There is a significant price difference between the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Kia Rondo, and the Rondo definitely comes out on top in this analysis. The nearly $5,000 difference in countable price may or may not be worth it, given that both cars offer a fair amount of options and have comparable amounts of space and fuel consumption. However, the Santa Fe's styling is admittedly a bit more eye-catching, which may make up for some of the difference. Rondo lacks even basic technology tools such as Bluetooth.
Safety Ratings
When you look at everything else together, the issue comes down to which car is safer for your family. Unfortunately, there is a very simple answer to this question: Santa Fe. While the Santa Fe has the most star ratings, the Kia Rondo only has a 70% overall safety rating compared to the Santa Fe's 84%. If you are looking for a reliable and inexpensive crossover, pay attention to Rondo. otherwise, look for Santa Fe.
