The Kia Rondo does 21.4 mpg combined (18.8 city, 25.9 highway), which works out to about $1,794 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.4L 4-cyl does 22 mpg while 2.7L 6-cyl does 20.8 — a difference of $101 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Kia Rondo engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Kia Rondo ranges from 22 down to 20.8 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $101 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 19.7 / 26.3 | 2007–2012 | $1,745 | |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 18 / 25.5 | 2007–2012 | $1,846 |
What that actually costs
The Kia Rondo burns a gallon every 21.4 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 561 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.150 |
| Fuel per year | $1,794 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,970 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$300 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,913 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Kia Rondo gives up 7.1 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 25.9 out there against 18.8 in town, a 38% drop worth $560 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 18.8 mpg | $2,043 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 25.9 mpg | $1,483 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.1 mpg (38%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Rondo changed over the years
The Rondo peaked in 2012 at 21.5 mpg (19 city, 25.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2007 at 21 — 0.5 mpg apart, or $43 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2012 car does 21.5. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 19 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2011 | 19 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2010 | 19 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2009 | 19 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2008 | 18.5 / 26 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2007 | 18.5 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 12 EPA ratings of the Kia Rondo — 2 engines across 2007–2012. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,913. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Kia Rondo get?
21.4 mpg combined on average — 18.8 in the city and 25.9 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2007–2012.
How much does a Kia Rondo cost in fuel per year?
About $1,794 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,970 over five years, or 0.150 dollars a mile.
Which Rondo engine is the most economical?
The 2.4L 4-cyl at 22 mpg, against 20.8 for the 2.7L 6-cyl — a difference of about $101 a year.
Is the Rondo good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Rondo figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Kia Rondo is $2,913 against the $1,794 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 22 and 20 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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