Hyundai iMax vs Kia Rondo
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular People Movers compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Hyundai iMax
Price TBC
People Mover
Diesel
—
125kW
9 L/100km
4★ ANCAP
842L
Kia Rondo
$25,990 when new
RRP when new — this model is no longer sold new in Australia
People Mover
Petrol
—
106kW
8.7 L/100km
4★ ANCAP
—
Kia Rondo: we're still completing wheelbase, kerb weight, 0-100km/h, ground clearance and turning circle.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
Track the Hyundai iMax & Kia Rondo
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
Both the Hyundai iMax and Kia Rondo hold a 4-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 0 of 10 key ADAS systems on both.
Both include the essentials: core safety systems. Airbag count is 2 in the Hyundai iMax and 6 in the Kia Rondo.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai iMax lines up producing 125kW and 441Nm of torque, sent through a 5-speed automatic to a RWD layout.
The Kia Rondo lines up making 106kW and 189Nm, paired to a 5-speed manual driving the front wheels.
The Hyundai iMax has the clear power advantage at 125kW vs 106kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai iMax measures 5,125mm long on a 3,200mm wheelbase, 580mm longer than the Kia Rondo at 4,545mm.
For towing, the Hyundai iMax leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,400kg. That 100kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m diameter
Average
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.4 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,565/year for the Hyundai iMax and $2,480/year for the Kia Rondo. That is a $85 annual difference in favour of the Kia Rondo.
Warranty: 5 years / 160,000km (Hyundai iMax) vs 5 years (Kia Rondo). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai iMax if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Rondo if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai iMax takes 2 of 3 key spec categories. The Kia Rondo will save you roughly $85 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai iMax and Kia Rondo?
The Kia Rondo is the cheapest at $25,990 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Rondo uses the least fuel at 8.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Hyundai iMax and Kia Rondo all hold a 4-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai iMax has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai iMax makes the most power at 125kW.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
