Kia Rondo vs Mercedes-Benz R-Class
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.
Data checked: specs 12 Aug 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Kia Rondo: we're still completing wheelbase, kerb weight, 0-100km/h, ground clearance and turning circle.
Mercedes-Benz R-Class: we're still completing price, length, width, height and wheelbase, plus 6 others.
Blank cells below mean 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.
$25,990RRP
- no option data for this car
No price
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Kia Rondo & Mercedes-Benz R-Class
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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
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Kia Rondo
- REC-006111 · published 9 Oct 2024The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), responsible for the Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control System and Traction Control System, can remain live even when the vehicle is switched off.Year range on the notice: 2012 - 2018
- REC-006110 · published 9 Oct 2024The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), responsible for the Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control System and Traction Control System, can remain live even when the vehicle is switched off.Year range on the notice: 2009 - 2012
Mercedes-Benz R-Class
- REC-005438 · published 17 May 2022The sealing of the brake booster may reduce due to corrosion.Year range on the notice: 2005 - 2013
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class counters with power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Kia Rondo lines up producing 106kW and 189Nm of torque, sent through a 5-speed manual to a FWD layout.
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class responds with a Diesel making 195kW and 620Nm, paired to a 7g-tronic 7-speed automatic driving all four wheels.
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class has the clear power advantage at 195kW vs 106kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,480/year for the Kia Rondo and $2,423/year for the Mercedes-Benz R-Class. That is a $57 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Rondo if: You or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz R-Class if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (62 vs 50). The Kia Rondo and Mercedes-Benz R-Class trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Mercedes-Benz R-Class will save you roughly $57 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, Kia Rondo and Mercedes-Benz R-Class?
The Kia Rondo is the cheapest at $25,990 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class uses the least fuel at 8.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Kia Rondo holds a 4-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Mercedes-Benz R-Class, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Rondo has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,400kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class makes the most power at 195kW.
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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
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