Ssangyong Korando

With a fresh approach to SUV design, Korando is packed with mod cons and is shaping up as a strong contender in the segment

Ssangyong Korando

Local Launch
Blue Mountains, New South Wales

What we liked
>> Torquey, efficient engine
>> Strong safety features
>> Dynamic handling

Not so much
>> Interior already looks dated
>> Excessive engine noise
>> Firmer ride

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine and Drivetrain: 3.5/5.0
Price, Value, Practicality: 4.0/5.0
Safety: 3.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.0/5.0
X-factor: 2.0/5.0

About our ratings

OVERVIEW
>> Heavy burden for compact SUV
The Ssangyong Korando is a pivotal vehicle for the Korean car maker, not only for its lack of over-adventurous styling, but also for its mantle of flag bearer for the brand. The Australian distributor of Ssangyong vehicles, Sime Darby, is confident the new model will attract customers who have never driven (and possibly never heard of) Ssangyong before, but more than that, the new compact SUV represents a rebirth of sorts for the brand.

Forget the six airbags, Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming, the various electronic driving aids and punchy turbodiesel engine for a moment, and consider what the new model has to achieve: It must focus attention on the brand, while simultaneously reinventing what Ssangyong stands for... and changing the public’s perception.

But is one car sufficient to transform Ssangyong from a peculiar and somewhat obscure brand into a mainstream Asian car maker that tops new car buyers’ shopping lists? Let's take a closer look...

PRICING AND EQUIPMENT
>> Feature packed and affordable, what's the catch?
The Korando could well be Ssangyong's best effort to date, and it's evident from the first time you lay eyes on it the company is trying something different.

Clean, attractive, and practical, it's a relatively compact vehicle, closer in size to the Mitsubishi ASX than Subaru Forester or Toyota RAV4, the current kings of the compact SUV market segment. But unlike Ssangyongs of the past, the thing that sets this one apart from the pack is not just fresher, more conservative design; it's the price tag.

Priced from $26,311 (excluding on-road costs), or $27,990 drive away, the entry-level Korando S is currently Australia's lowest price turbodiesel compact SUV. While that price point will help shift a few units, it's hardly the misers’ model. Packed with the kind of standard features you'd expect from an established, high-spec Japanese model, all Korando variants come with a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine and a bevy of driving aids: ABS, ESP, EBD, BA and hill start assist.

Other standard features across the range, including the entry-level 2WD S model, are six airbags, remote keyless entry, Bluetooth phone connectivity, alloy wheels, roof rails, power windows and mirrors, a six-speaker CD stereo with Bluetooth audio streaming, cruise control with Eco mode, auto dimming rear view mirror, plus leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob.

Step up to the mid-grade SX model ($30,311) and you get all that stuff, plus AWD, larger 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, a rear cargo cover and net, climate control air conditioning, and illuminated driver and passenger vanity mirrors. Both the S and SX model come standard with six-speed manual gearboxes, while a six-speed auto is offered as a $2500 option.

The range-topping  Ssangyong Korando SPR variant ($36,811), gets all of the above, plus bigger 18-inch alloys, six-speed auto gearbox as standard, power sunroof, rear roof spoiler, leather seats, rear parking sensors and heated front seats with a power adjustable pilot’s pew.

Ssangyong also hopes to attract new buyers by lowering maintenance costs, with service intervals of 15,000km or 12 months, rather than the usual 10,000km/six month period. All variants also come with full-sized spare alloy wheels.

MECHANICAL
>> Euro tech for Ssangyong oiler
If you thought that the Koreans were behind the eight-ball when it came to engine tech, think again. The 2.0-litre direct injection turbodiesel engine that powers the Korando is one of the most advanced in its class, boasting low Euro 5 emission compliancy, while outputting scads of torque.

Dubbed the e-XDi200, the four-cylinder common rail turbodiesel has had input "from Europe" according to the Australian importer, and makes use of a variable geometry turbo to ensure low lag, and big torque. It pumps out peak power of 129kW at 4000rpm and 360Nm at 2000-3000rpm.

What this translates to on the road is a big hit of torque before 3000rpm that propels the vehicle forward at an impressive clip, and though we only drove the manual models (automatics will be on sale in March, the transmission built in Australia by DSI) it's safe to say the Korando is no slouch.

Athleticism is only one side of the Korando coin, with the 2WD Korando S consuming just 6.1L/100km when paired with the six-speed manual, and emitting 159g/km of CO2, which is lower than some small cars.

The six-speed auto figures sit at 7.5L/100km and 194g/km in the 2WD, while AWD manual models achieve 6.4L/100km and 168g/km, and 7.5L/100km and 199g/km for the automatic models.

Interestingly, the Korando is Ssangyong's first front-wheel drive vehicle.

Ssangyong has endowed Korando with front and rear independent suspension setups it says aim to deliver a car-like drive, while four-wheel disc brakes are hooked up to a suite of electronic aids to deliver solid deceleration and stability. Along with the usual suspects – stability control, brake-force distribution, anti-lock brakes and emergency brake assist - Korando also comes as standard with ARP, or active rollover protection, and a hill-start assist feature.

Korando SX and SPR models are packaged with a reactive all-wheel drive system which ostensibly operates in front-wheel drive mode until the car detects slippage, at which point it splits power between the front and rear axles to improve traction.

The AWD system also features a '4WD Lock' mode which splits torque 50:50 between the front and rear wheels and is designed for slow speed off-roading -- however it will deactivate at road speeds above 40km/h then reactivate when it drops back to 35km/h.

PACKAGING
>> Compact exterior, spacious interior
Step inside the Korando and you'll be greeted with a spacious interior that has enough room to comfortably seat four adults. It was surprising to jump in the back seats and experience decent leg room. Even the boot has a useful 486-litres of space.

The interior plastics -- hard and presumably durable -- are par for the course for this segment, and though the centre stack and stereo setups look outdated, features like Bluetooth audio streaming are welcome (the streaming worked well and was simple to use). For the most part the interior is basic but very functional and comfortable, with well-placed controls and practical storage areas.

The instrument cluster is clean and easy to read -- if a little dull -- and there are plenty of useful storage solutions: eight cup holders in total, flip out bag hooks in the front and rear, and several storage bins.

SAFETY
>> Almost as safe as houses
Ssangyong has done its homework when outfitting all variants of the new Korando with a high level of safety equipment, all of which contribute to occupancy protection. The list includes six airbags (dual front, side and full-length curtain) and active head restraints, which are designed to reduce whiplash injuries.

Electronic stability control (ESP) helps keep the Korando from sliding out of control while active rollover protection (ARP) helps prevent the vehicle from rolling over. Other features such as ABS, EBD and BA ensure the car stops quickly and safely, while Korando SX and SPR variants come with all-wheel drive to improve traction.

The Korando features three ISOFIX child seat anchor points and a hill start assist (HSA) feature that stops the vehicle rolling backwards on steep hills after releasing the brake pedal.

Though the car had not yet been tested by ANCAP (or Euro NCAP) at the time of writing, Ssangyong Australia's managing director Jeff Barber said: "We're confident it'll achieve four or probably five [stars]."

COMPETITORS
>> Something about a forest and the stock market?
While Ssangyong would like to experience sales in order of the Subaru Forester's segment dominating numbers, it won't be a direct rival for the Subaru per se. Instead, Korando is more of a rival to the slightly smaller Mitsubishi ASX, Nissan Dualis and Hyundai iX35 compact SUVs.

While technically in the same group as the top two selling vehicles in the segment, the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4, only time will tell whether it can poach buyers from these well established brands.

ON THE ROAD
>> Can the Koreans do no wrong?
The Korando is not perfect in terms of the way it feels behind the wheel, but it’s still a good vehicle out on the road. Getting inside isn’t difficult despite its elevated driving position, and the torquey engine delivers impressive hustle off the line, which is handy in urban areas.

The rear window is wider than a lot of its rivals, and thanks to good mirrors all round, there’s excellent rearward visibility with minimal blind spots, all of which contributes to self-confidence in busy traffic. However one minor quibble was the omission of a footrest to the left of the clutch pedal.

Cruise control worked well, and the switchable Eco mode appeared to use less revs when travelling uphill when engaged, but we'll need more time with the system to see how it performs in a range of scenarios.

The steering was surprisingly direct and in combination with a firm suspension tune the Korando cornered nicely, and didn't mind being hustled along city streets, or winding ribbons of tarmac for that matter. That said, the firm suspension does result in a ride quality that isn't quite as supple as some of its rivals' (though it's not as acute to be a deal breaker).

The national launch drive took place on the outskirts of Sydney, and wound its way up into the Blue Mountains where we had a chance to sample the Korando's off-road abilities. On twisting dirt roads any fears of skittish behaviour were unfounded with Korando remaining predictable and self assured.

There was some kickback through the steering wheel, but the dynamics are otherwise well sorted with torque steer almost non-existent. We tested stability control and ABS on the dirt where both worked flawlessly.

Build quality also appears to be of a decent standard, with no rattles or shakes when crashing over bumps and ruts on the dirt tracks we explored.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Korando driving experience was the engine. We didn't get to sample the six-speed auto, which will probably suit the engine better than the manual (and will most certainly account for more sales), but it's safe to say the 2.0-litre oiler is a great unit.

Unlike a lot of modern turbodiesel engines Ssangyong’s mill loves to rev and doesn't really start to sing until 2500rpm (and happily spins up to 4000). In fact there's not a lot of go below 2000revs, but it suited my driving style very nicely.

Though the engine’s not as quiet as a Volkswagen turbodiesel, with a few clanks upon ignition, it shifts the Korando's mass with ease, and boasts a 2000kg towing capacity.

Ssangyong hasn't delivered a knock-out blow to its rivals -- it isn't as polished as the new Kia Sportage for example -- but to answer critics, new Korando will go a long way to eliminate woes of the past.

The Korando is an intriguing new softroader that deserves to be on the shopping lists of new car buyers looking for an affordable compact SUV with all the trimmings. But whether buyers will be able to see past the Ssangyong badge remains to be seen.

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