Kia Rondo vs Nissan Dualis
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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 8 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.
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.
$25,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$25,990RRP
- with the Kia Rondo's standard kit: $25,990 (nothing to add)
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.
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Price Breakdown
The Kia Rondo starts from $25,990 before on-road costs, while the Nissan Dualis opens at $25,990. Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $28,589 and $28,589 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
The Nissan Dualis holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Kia Rondo.
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 6 in the Kia Rondo and 6 in the Nissan Dualis.
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
Nissan Dualis
- REC-001086 · published 19 Jan 2015The steering wheel boss, which is connected to the steering column, may not have the appropriate strength.Year range on the notice: 2012
- REC-003452 · published 20 Sep 2012The steering wheel boss, which is connected to the steering column, may not have the appropriate strength.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- REC-003406 · published 28 Nov 2011Manufacturing defect in the power steering control unit, which can stop power assisted steering.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
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.
Drivetrain
The Kia Rondo lines up producing 106kW and 189Nm of torque, sent through a 5-speed manual to a FWD layout.
The Nissan Dualis responds with a MR20DE making 102kW and 198Nm, paired to a 6-speed manual driving the front wheels.
The Kia Rondo has the clear power advantage at 106kW vs 102kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Kia Rondo measures 4,545mm long, 215mm longer than the Nissan Dualis at 4,330mm (2,630mm wheelbase).
For towing, the Nissan Dualis leads with a 1,400kg braked capacity vs 1,400kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m diameter
Good
Based on 10.6m 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.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.3 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
1.8 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 $2,480/year for the Kia Rondo and $2,309/year for the Nissan Dualis. That is a $171 annual difference in favour of the Nissan Dualis.
Warranty: 5 years (Kia Rondo) vs 3 years / 100,000km (Nissan Dualis). The Kia Rondo has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Rondo if: You prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Nissan Dualis if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (62 vs 58). The Kia Rondo and Nissan Dualis trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Nissan Dualis will save you roughly $171 a year in fuel. The Kia Rondo adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. 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 Nissan Dualis?
The Kia Rondo is the cheapest at $25,990 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Nissan Dualis uses the least fuel at 8.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The Nissan Dualis has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Rondo has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,400kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Rondo has the longest warranty at 5 years / No data.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia Rondo makes the most power at 106kW.
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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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