2005 Ssangyong Rexton Reviews

This is the five cylinder, turbo diesel version of the mid-size Ssangyong 4WD.The engine is a clone of the same unit you'll find in the current Mercedes-Benz M-Class 4WD and so is the five speed automatic transmission.You can bet other mechanicals owe their existence to Mercedes engineering.But Ssangyong has been careful to ensure the entire vehicle is up to scratch in all other areas including the 4WD system, suspension, steering brakes and body integrity.The Rexton is built on a ladder chassis with the body bolted on and the drive system is torque on demand 4WD with high and low range activated by push buttons on the dash.The Rexton is a competent off roader and makes easy work of beach driving, rugged trails and pretty well anything you throw at it. There's plenty of ground clearance, limited a tad by the accessory side steps, and approach and departure angles are steep. We have so far chickened out on deep wading but reckon it wouldn't be a problem either.But the heart of the test vehicle is its excellent engine and transmission. There is around 340Nm of torque available at low engine revs and the 121Kw power output propels the Rexton like a V6 passenger car. It accelerates quickly and has easy cruising capacity with virtually no noise or vibration.Then after about 800 to 1000km, you have to fill up the tank. Not bad for a two tonner that offers luxury on and off road driving for five people – and a stack of load space in the back. A seven seat option is available.The interior is quite stylish, conservative, with mock wood veneers and an attractive dash. The test vehicle had leather upholstery which takes it further up the luxury chain. Aircon is climate control and the audio is impressive.It needs a three point seat belt in the middle rear pew and we are still not convinced about the automatic door locking function that activates after about the first 500m of driving. Smacks of American paranoia.The Rexton looks good, has smooth paint and the doors close like a Honda Odyssey or similar prestige Japanese model. For the money, the Ssangyong Rexton 270Xdi is difficult to look past.

People are really interested in what the Rexton actually 'is'."What sort of vehicle is that mate?" often resonates when we park the Rexton and comments on the styling are favourable.They reckon it looks a bit like a Prado at the rear but the handsome front owes nothing to anything.The Rexton is a handy device off road especially with its gas dampers, double wishbone front and five link long travel suspension. Ssangyong has set the Rexton up with firm suspension for an off roader but it doesn't detract in the rough at all, in fact, due to the lack of roll and pitch, the Rexton is more comfortable than some other mushy makes.And there is the added benefit of flatter cornering on the road.The selectable 4WD system has low and high range 4WD activated by a button on the dash – it's that simple and in low, pretty well nothing stops the Rexton short of a rock wall.We spent time meandering through sand hills, rolling along the beach and then ventured further inland for a picnic. This was child's play for the Rexton.The vehicle is built on a ladder chassis and has a five speed automatic transmission that combine to make off road driving a breeze.The road oriented Bridgestone tyres also stand up pretty well to challenging traction.There's plenty of ground clearance and about the only thing to touch bottom were the optional side steps. But they have other benefits for everyday driving.The torquey 2.7-litre, five cylinder turbo diesel gives impressive fuel, economy and performance and the vehicle is never lacking for get up and go out on the highway. It surprises plenty of other motorists just how much acceleration the Rexton has. And it will average around 10.0 litres/100km fuel economy – pretty good for a two tonne 4WD.The test vehicle is the topliner and features leather upholstery, power everything. climate control, cruise, steering wheel audio controls – not much is left off the list.We still have trouble accepting the automatic door locking system that activates after about the first 500 metres. It's a really American, paranoid thing to have in a car and can be annoying. The steering wheel leather is slippery.But we really like the large load area, full size spare, folding rear seats and flip up tailgate glass.The kids have no trouble getting in the back seat and there is plenty of room for five adults. An optional seven seat arrangement is available.Also impressive is the build quality of the vehicle. Forget any preconceptions about "cheap" Korean here. Close the doors, "thunk" – hear the quality.

Ssangyong has delivered a vehicle that even the car-weary test-driver wants to keep in the garage for a few months.It's the latest version of the Rexton four-wheel-drive with a 2.7-litre, turbo diesel, five cylinder engine and five-speed tip-shift automatic transmission.A petrol-powered version of this vehicle has been around for a while but the Australian distributor has updated it and added diesel before swinging into full marketing mode and appointing up to 75 dealers.And the campaign will have some punch because the well equipped Rexton has a lot going for it. It is an affordable powertrain built under licence by Mercedes-Benz and includes inputs from leading automotive companies such as Lotus and Giugiaro, which looked after the dynamics and styling respectively.Korean-based Ssangyong has undergone a near 50 per cent buyout by China¿s Shanghai Auto, which has strong links to GM and was incorrectly rumoured to have bought out the Rover UK operation.Rexton is a member of the old school in terms of 4WD chassis design, sporting a ladder chassis instead of a car based monocoque like a growing number of SUVs on the market.This has benefits for towing and other heavy duty applications.Kerb weight is 1.9 tonnes.The drive system is part-time 4WD, in high range, with lockable low range 4WD activated by a dash switch. In this car you're not likely to become stuck when the going gets tough.We procured keys to the Rexton with only 52km on the clock so experienced the running-in privilege of a new owner.The test-drive vehicle was an attractive pale blue metallic with slate leather upholstery, airconditioning, power everything, a good audio system, full-size spare, flip-up rear window, alloys, ABS, dual air bags and steering wheel controls. It retails in the low $40,000 bracket.This, in a genuine off-road 4WD that looks great and is built to an unexpectedly high standard.It has excellent engine performance, even though our test vehicle was not fully run in, and will easily achieve 10L/100km fuel economy in mixed driving.The engine and transmission deliver smooth operation and the ride is stable, exhibiting minimal roll despite the high-ish centre of gravity. Thankfully, Rexton is blessed with a tight turning circle.