Ssangyong Reviews

SsangYong has returned to Australia after two years away and its large SUV, the Rexton, is spearheading the company's push back into the market.

Forging a business in a highly competitive new car market such as Australia's is tough work for any newcomer. But the SsangYong Rexton isn't a newcomer, per se. The Rexton has been sold here before - in fact, you could say it has a rich history in Australia, having been sold here (on and off) since 2003... a damn

Who knew it was possible for a small SUV to be so big!? The SsangYong Tivoli XLV is exactly that, a larger, longer version of the regular Tivoli - and it's set to be offered in Australia.

You mightn't know what a SsangYong is. Well, it's a Korean carmaker, which has been around for about 60 years. What about a Musso? That's the Korean word for a rhinoceros.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the 2014 SsangYong Rexton.

Chris Riley road tests and reviews the SsangYong Korando 2WD, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

With a new distributor in Ateco Automotive, this year saw a model rationalisation and a reprice for the SsangYong Actyon ute. It now represents better value given the level of standard equipment and what you actually get for your money.We've tested the Actyon Sports model and have positive thoughts about the tough Korean workhorse. You'd certainly shop it against any of the other one tonne Japanese (Thai-built) utes because it stacks up against any of them. In fact, the Actyon is better than some of the more favoured offerings in the segment on a number of scores and not just price. Build quality for one.PRACTICAL DESIGNThe standard load tray liner springs  to mind, a 600kg payload is also worth keeping in mind and the tray shape lends itself to different applications because of its depth and width. They also include the tray lock into the remote central locking system. All good sensible stuff.The truck's front that looks as good as anything else on the market and is a decided improvement on the first hideous face on Actyon. The rear looks the same and is purely functional rather than a style setter.FEATURESKit inside the cabin is generous including aircon, cruise, a decent audio system, trip computer, leather wheel, power ancillaries, auto folding wing mirrors, Bluetooth phone and audio and a multi function wheel.UNDERNEATHBut it's under the skin where the Actyon really shines. Those in the know will only need to get down on their knees for a look under the rear to appreciate the level of engineering in this light commercial.For a start it has a robust ladder chassis complete with coil spring suspension all round. The rear axle is located by a multi-link system and feels robust enough to take 600kgs easily. It has a familiar look mechanically - possibly due to the influence of Mercedes-Benz years ago when it owned a share in Ssangyong.ENGINE AND TRANSMISSIONThe four cylinder engine is a 2.0-litre VM Motori unit with 114kW/360Nm outputs. There's a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed auto available (we had the auto) and it offers selectable 4WD by a dash mounted dial. Combined fuel consumption in this 2.0 tonne vehicle rates 7.9-litres/100km.DRIVINGWe clocked about 1000km in the Actyon and it served to verify our favourable impression of the vehicle. The cabin is large and easily takes five with plenty of rear seat legroom and large rear doors. We think the three star crash rating listed on ANCAP's website from 2010 may be out of date. It has much more safety kit than it did back then.The drive experience is good with better comfort than most of the competition thanks to the coil spring suspension. But the load height might be an issue for some. Engine performance is strong even when fully laden and there's minimal noise or vibration from anywhere.It sits on the road well limited by the height and suspension calibration and remember, this is a working truck, not a sports sedan. The interior is comfortable particularly the seats and we like the style of the fully soft feel dash (other manufacturers take note).VERDICTWould we put down our hard earned on the Actyon? Yes, and pocket the difference between it and the 'Japanese' one tonners which are no better at best. SsangYong Actyon TradiePrice: from $26,990Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel, 114kW/360NmTranmission: 6 speed manualThirst: 7.3L/100 km (RWD), 7.4L/100km (4x4) 

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.INSIDEInside 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?PRICEThe 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 BUILTThe 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.ENGINEPower 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.COMFORTRide 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.SAFETYThe 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.VERDICTFinally 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 StavicPrice: from $29,990Engine: 2.0-litre turbo diesel 4-clyinder, 115kW/360NmTransmission: 5-speed autoThirst: 7.8-litres/100km

They've changed distributors, cut prices and altered the lineup and quite possibly, better things will come SsangYong's way this year. First thing of interest under Ateco Automotive stewardship is the arrival of a petrol Korando small SUV. Previously, all SsangYongs sold here were diesel.VALUEBetter yet is the price for the front wheel drive model which starts st $23,990, add two grand for the six-speed auto that we drove last week. There's no all wheel drive petrol model but most people don't want or need it and like the lower purchase price of two wheel (front) drive models.Standard kit on the S model is pretty good with aircon, cruise, trip computer, heated side windows, power ancillaries, front and rear fog lamps, rear park sensors decent audio and Bluetooth connectivity included. A reverse camera would be handy as would reach adjust on the steering wheel.TECHNOLOGYThe engine is a 2.0-litre, twin cam unit achieving 111kW/191Nm output. We wouldn't be surprised if it's sourced elsewhere like the diesel which comes from VM Motori.What we do know is the six-speed auto box is the same as Hyundai and Kia's, a compact, efficient transmission that well suits the 1532kg petrol Korando by efficiently tapping into available torque without hunting and also changes up and down in small increments.There's a sequential change mode too. The engine makes a reasonable fist of pushing the Korando and is capable of using as little as 7.5 litres/100km. It rides on a strut/multi-link suspension that feels well calibrated for urban duties offering a reasonable level of handling and good ride comfort.The turning circle is commendably tight and minimal road noise intrudes into the Korando's cabin. It rolls on 16-inch alloys with a full size spare in the back.SAFETYIt gets six airbags, remote keyless entry, hill start assist, rollover protection, active head restraints but no stability control. No ANCAP test results are available.DRIVINGWe drove the Giugiaro-styled Korando on a 100km urban and rural loop and could have been in a Japanese or other Korean compact SUV. It feels pretty much the same as other offerings in the class.Performance is acceptable as is fuel economy and it's comfortable enough for everyday driving. The styling is attractive inside and out  one of the first SsangYongs to be so blessed.VERDICTAteco has pitched the Korando at the same level as the Great Wall SUV. Which one would you prefer? It's clear cut as far as we are concerned and the money would go on the Korean product every day.Ssangyong Korando 2.0SPrice: from $23,990Warranty: 5 years /100,000kmEngine: 2.0-litre petrol 111kW/191NmTransmission: 6-speed manual / 6-speed automaticThirst: 7.5 L/100km

Great Wall V200 and Ssangyong Actyon Tradie go head-to-head in this comparative review.