This is a SsangYong Tivoli.
You probably won’t see many on the road, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good
car.
Let me explain.
SsangYong’s newest compact SUV is entering one of Australia’s most competitive segments,
and it’s home to some heavy hitting rivals.
SsangYong’s sales have not been strong in Australia, but the Tivoli could change all
of that.
And what better way to see how it measures up than pitching it against the top selling
Mitsubishi ASX, and the Holden Trax.
They share similar footprints, but their looks see the SsangYong pushing the design envelope.
I’ll let you decide if that’s in a good or bad way.
In their top spec form, our rivals are separated by just a few thousand dollars.
There are some mechanical differences worth noting.
The Holden and the Mitsubishi are front wheel drive, while the SsangYong is all wheel drive.
The Holden and the SsangYong run a six speed automatic transmission, while the Mitsubishi
ASX has a CVT.
The Tivoli and Trax are turbo charged, while the ASX is not.
And the Tivoli is our only diesel on test.
Our back to back drive loops will reveal just how that plays
out on the road.
The ASX is composed and quick off the mark, but the CVT feels like it’s working hard
compared to the others.
It’s a very easy drive nonetheless.
These may
well be compact SUV for the budget conscious buyer, but full credit to the manufacturers
for adding in important safety technology.
We have blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and
lane keep assist.
In the Tivoli and the ASX, you also get the all important autonomous emergency breaking.
And with changes to the crash test rating system, today’s test may tell a different
story again.
Front of cabins share a common layout, but driving positions feel quite different.
The Tivoli offers the best seat comfort and adjustability, as well as good storage solutions.
But we do love the armrest in the Holden Trax.
Our need to be connected will be satisfied by all three cars, with Apple CarPlay, and
Android Auto.
While our need to be warm will also be satisfied by all three cars, with seated heats.
Where second rows are concerned, it really is much of a muchness.
They align both for space, comfort, and amenity.
You do get a little bit more headroom in the Trax and the Tivoli, but then in the ASX you
get that great big sunroof.
All vehicles feature 60/40 split fold seats, and compact boots.
The Tivoli Ultimate features a full size spare, but does so at the expense of boot space.
Warrantee and after sales support see the Tivoli the best, again.
And this should add confidence to a market that is sceptical of newcomers.
It’s fair to say that the SsangYong Tivoli has emerged a bit of a surprise package.
Its extra equipment, all wheel drive grip, and overall driveability building a strong
case for this little SUV.
Where the SsangYong currently can’t compete is resale value.
And this is where the reputation of the Holden and Mitsubishi come into play.
Let’s not forget however that not that long ago KIA and Hyundai faced this same battle.
How times have changed.
There is not a bad car on test, with good equipment levels and commendable safety technology,
these small SUVs feel like they are really trying.
But we have a clear winner.
With a punchy turbo diesel engine, all wheel drive grip and the most enjoyable drive on
test, backed by the best warrantee and after sales support, it’s our newcomer, the SsangYong
Tivoli Ultimate that takes the win.