SsangYong Stavic 2013 Review

It was compared in appearance with the north end of a south-bound camel and regularly won world's ugliest car “accolades”. That was the first rendition of SsangYong's Stavic people mover.

But the thing went pretty well thanks to the largely Mercedes-Benz underpinnings and technical input. There was even an all-wheel-drive version for safety in icy climes. Now version two has surfaced and it's the opposite of number one.

Though constrained style-wise by its two box, people mover body, the new Stavic is easy on the eye. It's new from the wheels up and looks more compact than the earlier model.

The first model's bee swallowing face has morphed into something more acceptably main stream with links to the new SsangYong Actyon ute. The side view is in the current highlight-line idiom and the rear end has a practical, neat appearance. Only a vestige of the big arcing D pillar from the first version remains and it's hardly noticeable.

INSIDE

Inside is all new too, neat and tidy with plenty of equipment. The layout's easy to use though the pre-production test car's instrument layout will change when the production versions arrive soon. And guess what?

PRICE

The price is $29,990 drive away for a full size, Korean manufactured, genuine seven-seater people mover with a five-speed auto transmission, torquey 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine and generous levels of equipment. That price undercuts other players in the segment by sometimes tens of thousands of dollars.

Hyundai's Imax diesel is $39,990, Kia's Grand Carnival 2.2-litre diesel starts at $44,990, Toyota's 2.4-litre petrol Tarago starts at $48,990 in base model form and on it goes. Our “first drive” of the new Stavic shows SsangYong's new owners have listened and learned adopting a completely new approach - and design.

PURPOSE BUILT

The vehicle doesn't move in any new direction with technology or style but is a good thing for its intended purpose.

Access is easy through all four doors which open wide to a reasonably low floor height and generous sized seats. The front two rows are individual paired buckets while the fully removable third row is a bench seat. The middle and third rows slide fore/aft on long runners.

There's a decent size load space down the back and a full size spare under the floor. Drive goes to the rear wheels through a five speed auto transmission with sequential shift mode.

ENGINE

Power comes from the same 2.0-litre turbo diesel as Actyon ute, tweaked for more power and torque rated at 115kW/360Nm. It makes light work of moving the fairly hefty 2.0-tonne Stavic, even with the aircon on and a few passengers aboard. Performance is not an issue. It's a clean Euro 5 engine capable of using as little as 7.8-litres/100km.

COMFORT

Ride quality is acceptable offering a reasonable compromise between comfort and handling though you wouldn't really punt a vehicle such as this hard, now would you?

It rolls on 16-inch alloys and has a generous level of features that include dual zone climate control, cruise, power windows, privacy glass, heated side mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity, multi media connections, remote keyless entry, foot operated parking brake, numerous storage compartments, serviceable cloth upholstery.

SAFETY

The safety rating has yet to be determined but new Stavic has stability control, front and side air bags and active rollover prevention in the safety arsenal. Driver assistance kit includes rear park assist and a brake assist system.

VERDICT

Finally an affordable vehicle for all the breeders out there. And a good one too - to look at and drive. Would be cheap to run as well leaving more of the family budget for food and other expenses associated with the Brady Bunch. Ideal vehicle for hotels, car rentals, countless people moving applications.

SsangYong Stavic

Price: from $29,990
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo diesel 4-clyinder, 115kW/360Nm
Transmission: 5-speed auto
Thirst: 7.8-litres/100km