02 August 2011

The scoop
The Ssangyong Korando is the Ssangyong to end all Ssangyongs. It’s the Korean manufacturer’s first all-new model in three years and is billed as a stylish and contemporary SUV. You know what they say about great expectations!

The car aims to excel where other Ssangyong models have failed – in terms of economy, eco factor and safety.

Available in three grades, the entry level ‘S’ is a 2WD with a choice of either manual or automatic transmissions; the SX is an AWD also with a choice of manual and automatic; while the top-of-the-line SPR is an AWD in automatic form only.

Price starts at $26,311.

The drive
Standard features across the entire Korando range include alloy wheels (the spare too), heated side mirrors with safety light, wiper de-icer in the front, electronic anti-glare rear view mirror, user-friendly six-speaker audio unit with one-touch Bluetooth streaming and phone connectivity and rear parking sensors.

The interior is “premium” plastic, slightly compensated for by metal accents.

Head and leg-room are quite impressive. There’s storage compartments aplenty, as is luggage space in the boot with a 60:40 split folding rear seats.

The engine is quiet from the get-go to fully loaded and passengers aren’t assaulted with the rattle delivered by  previous Ssangyong models.

In fact, the Korando is quite a smooth, stable and effortless ride with good handling. If dirt roads are your thing, the Korando complies. Ditto when it comes to carrying heavy equipment like small boats and jet skis.

The brakes are sensitive, requiring only a slight push.

Safety
The Korando has six SRS airbags, electronically activated head restraint for the front seats and “multi-load path body construction”, which aims to evenly distribute collision energy throughout the car.

Other features include Active Rollover Protection, Hill Start Assist, Active Head Restraints and Emergency Stopping Signal.

3 words to describe this car:
Decent, promising, common.

What are the best things about this car?
Good value and is full of creature comforts.

What are the downsides of this car?
Kudos for trying to be stylish but the reality is, it unfortunately still looks a little cheap.

What kind of petrol does this car use?
Diesel

Green factor?
The Korando meets the yet-to-be introduced Euro 5 emission regulations. That’s ambitious. Emission levels are 159 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

Soundtrack of choice?
Anything Pete Murray.