SsangYong KorandoKorando is a name that’ll be familiar to many motorists, and not just SsangYong owners, for it’s been around a long time. Conceivably it’s more familiar than the company name itself, for SsangYong has had its ups and downs and disappearances from the British market. Now, however, it sees itself in safe hands following the majority acquisition by India’s Mahindra company.The new car follows on from many years of SsangYong producing what they do best – off-roaders. The Korando, designed by Giugiaro, is a good-looking crossover car that SsangYong hopes will get their name into the minds of British folk who have looked at the Kia and Hyundai alternatives, and want to check out the new opposition.At pretty much the same size as the successful Kia Sportage, the new Korando offers plenty of passenger space, with front and rear seat occupants enjoying good leg room, while those in the rear even get generous head room too thanks to a strategically placed ‘dent’ in the headlining.Engine choice is limited to……well just limited really, because it’s 2-litre diesel or nothing. In former years the SsangYong engines tended to be out of the Mercedes stable, but this one is apparently a SsangYong produced item, and it’s pretty good, if a tad noticeable under hard acceleration. Power output of 175PS is impressive however, and it endows the car with performance figures (0-60 in ten seconds) that will outshine its Sportage competitor.“Muscular yet svelte” says the SsangYong literature, and to be sure the monocoque platform of the car does afford a good degree of on-road refinement, so suspension doesn’t feel too firm. That’s a mixed blessing however, because tight bends taken quickly will see the Korando leaning outwards, though of course this is hardly the sector for those who like to keep their tyres hot.Driving position is good, and set as high as it is this will be one of the main criteria for purchase. It’s an easy car to drive, and the more so if you opt for auto transmission which is available on all bar the base model. That’s not an inexpensive option however, and rather more worryingly the gear changes from the auto transmission are often accompanied by a pronounced and audible jolt that does nothing for ones confidence in the package. The manual car seems to me a vastly better drive.Interior of the Korando is in all but one respect unexceptional. One might complain that not all the plastics were of top quality, but against that you’ve got one of the best seat folding mechanisms on the market. Just fold down the rear seat back, a simple one-handed operation, and the seat cushion moves out of the way automatically – it’s a real practical touch that will delight an owner for as long as they keep the car.Like all crossovers, and indeed off-roaders, this one will spend virtually its whole life on road rather than off it, so off-road performance is probably not a critical quality. Which of course is why the company has wisely decided to offer a 2WD version as well as the 4WD, and going for that one not only saves some cash when you buy it, but thanks to the lack of weighty components it will also be visiting the fuel pumps less frequently. However, those with a real need for 4WD capability will want to know that the SsangYong system features an on-demand system which constantly monitors the level of grip available and distributes power to the wheels that need it most.SsangYong are probably hoping to outdo Kia with the Korando’s equipment, performance and pricing, but what’s more certain is that the Korando warranty will be responsible for many a test drive. Kia may have their famous 7-year warranty, but if you’re a high mileage user then SsangYong’s unlimited mileage 5-year job might look attractive. All the major mechanical components on the car are covered including wheel bearings, suspension joints and bushes, steering joints, shock absorbers and even the audio system. Wearable components such as clutch discs and brake friction materials which could have their life reduced by poor driving are covered for one year or 12,000 miles, and the battery and paintwork for three years. Importantly, the warranty applies to the car not the purchaser, so providing the service record is maintained it can be transferred no matter how many times the vehicle is sold within the five-year period. It also includes all SsangYong approved accessories fitted by a SsangYong dealer, such as tow bars. That warranty, incidentally, is now available on the other two models in the SsangYong range – the Rexton and Rodius.Size: 4.41m x 1.83mEngine: 2.0 litre diesel – 175PSGearbox: 6-speed manual/auto FWD/4WDBest Consumption: FWD models – 47.1mpgPrice: from £16,995Full details of the Korando are available on the manufacturer’s website: www.ssangyonggb.co.ukPeter Cracknell – Dec 2011
SsangYong Korando
Korando is a name that’ll be familiar to many
motorists, and not just SsangYong owners, for it’s
been around a long time. Conceivably it’s more
familiar than the company name itself, for SsangYong
has had its ups and downs and disappearances from
the British market. Now, however, it sees itself in safe
hands following the majority acquisition by India’s
Mahindra company.
The new car follows on from many years of
SsangYong producing
what they do best – off-
roaders. The Korando,
designed by Giugiaro,
is a good-looking
crossover car that
SsangYong hopes will
get their name into the
minds of British folk
who have looked at the
Kia and Hyundai
alternatives, and want
to check out the new
opposition.
At pretty much the
same size as the
successful Kia
Sportage, the new
Korando offers plenty of
passenger space, with
front and rear seat occupants enjoying good leg
room, while those in the rear even get generous
head room too thanks to a strategically placed ‘dent’
in the headlining.
Engine choice is limited to……well just limited really,
because it’s 2-litre diesel or nothing. In former years
the SsangYong engines tended to be out of the
Mercedes stable, but this one is apparently a
SsangYong produced item, and it’s pretty good, if a
tad noticeable under hard acceleration. Power output
of 175PS is impressive however, and it endows the
car with performance figures (0-60 in ten seconds)
that will outshine its Sportage competitor.
“Muscular yet svelte” says the SsangYong literature,
and to be sure the monocoque platform of the car
does afford a good degree of on-road refinement, so
suspension doesn’t feel too firm. That’s a mixed
blessing however, because tight bends taken quickly
will see the Korando leaning outwards, though of
course this is hardly the sector for those who like to
keep their tyres hot.
Driving position is good, and set as high as it is this
will be one of the main criteria for purchase. It’s an
easy car to drive, and the more so if you opt for auto
transmission which is available on all bar the base
model. That’s not an inexpensive option however,
and rather more worryingly the gear changes from
the auto transmission are often accompanied by a
pronounced and audible jolt that does nothing for
ones confidence in the package. The manual car
seems to me a vastly better drive.
Interior of the Korando is in all but one respect
unexceptional. One might complain that not all the
plastics were of top quality, but against that you’ve
got one of the best seat folding mechanisms on the
market. Just fold down the rear seat back, a simple
one-handed operation, and the seat cushion moves
out of the way automatically – it’s a real practical
touch that will delight an owner for as long as they
keep the car.
Like all crossovers, and indeed off-roaders, this one
will spend virtually its whole life on road rather than off
it, so off-road performance is probably not a critical
quality. Which of course is why the company has
wisely decided to offer a 2WD version as well as the
4WD, and going for that one not only saves some cash
when you buy it, but thanks to the lack of weighty
components it will also be
visiting the fuel pumps
less frequently. However,
those with a real need for
4WD capability will want
to know that the
SsangYong system
features an on-demand
system which constantly
monitors the level of grip
available and distributes
power to the wheels that
need it most.
SsangYong are probably
hoping to outdo Kia with
the Korando’s equipment,
performance and pricing,
but what’s more certain is
that the Korando warranty
will be responsible for
many a test drive. Kia
may have their famous 7-year warranty, but if you’re a
high mileage user then SsangYong’s unlimited mileage
5-year job might look attractive. All the major
mechanical components on the car are covered
including wheel bearings, suspension joints and
bushes, steering joints, shock absorbers and even the
audio system. Wearable components such as clutch
discs and brake friction materials which could have
their life reduced by poor driving are covered for one
year or 12,000 miles, and the battery and paintwork for
three years. Importantly, the warranty applies to the
car not the purchaser, so providing the service record
is maintained it can be transferred no matter how
many times the vehicle is sold within the five-year
period. It also includes all SsangYong approved
accessories fitted by a SsangYong dealer, such as tow
bars. That warranty, incidentally, is now available on
the other two models in the SsangYong range – the
Rexton and Rodius.
Size:
4.41m x 1.83m
Engine:
2.0 litre diesel – 175PS
Gearbox:
6-speed manual/auto FWD/4WD
Best Consumption: FWD models – 47.1mpg
Price:
from £16,995
Full details of the Korando are available on the
manufacturer’s website: www.ssangyonggb.co.uk
Peter Cracknell – Dec 2011
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