The SsangYong Korando is the brand’s medium-sized crossover, which it pitches as a low-cost
rival to the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, the Kia Sportage and Hyundai’s Tucson.
But despite the ever-rising popularity of the segment, last year SsangYong only sold
just over five and a half thousand of these in Europe, compared to the Nissan Qashqai
which sold nearly 61,000.
In the UK alone, that is…
As a result, it’s probably one of the rarest production cars on British roads, but could
the sales figures hide a good value car?
After all, it looks sharp enough and given that it starts from just £15,995 it has to
be worth a look, right?
Given the Korando’s low price point, there are some dodgy looking plastics and this grippy
leather on the steering wheel has the texture of a pensioner’s hands, but on the whole
the cabin is actually quite well laid out.
Standard equipment is comprehensive, with all models getting cruise control, Bluetooth
connectivity and steering-mounted controls for the infotainment system.
Upgrade to this range-topping ELX trim and you get full leather upholstery with electrically-adjustable
heated seats, this seven-inch touchscreen with TomTom satnav and other bits and bobs
like parking sensors, a reversing camera and LED lights.
One of the best things about the Korando is the sheer amount of space inside.
Thanks to a long wheelbase there’s loads of room for passengers, and despite the fact
that this car has four-wheel drive, there’s a flat cabin floor in the generously proportioned
back seats.
Plenty of space to move about then, while the seats also recline so it’s also really
easy to get comfortable.
The boot, meanwhile, has 486 litres of space, which is over 70 litres more than the Qashqai,
but a little less than what the Kia Sportage offers.
Fold the rear seats down with a simple flip of these switches, and total load space grows
to a maximum of 1,312 litres.
Interestingly, while the first-gen Korando was actually a licensed version of the old
Willys Army Jeep, its modern counterpart was the first SsangYong to be built with a modern
unibody chassis.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t translate into particularly a modern driving experience.
Crashy, overly soft suspension doesn’t cope well with bumps and can make the car feel
a little like a listing ship, while the steering is vague and lacking in almost anything by
way of feedback.
In terms of the driving experience at least, virtually all of its rivals have it trumped.
Likewise, if there’s one complaint that crops up again and again about SsangYongs
it’s that its engines are always a bit agricultural and make a bit of a racket.
The 176bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine in the Korando is no exception, but to its credit
it is fairly punchy.
More interesting is the fact that it generates a solid 400Nm of torque from just 1,400rpm,
which gives it loads of low-end power for towing trailers or caravans.
Also, while many crossovers talk the talk about being able to go off-road but fail to
deliver, the Korando can indeed walk the walk, thanks to the torquey engine and the robust
optional four-wheel drive system that’s SsangYong’s specialty.
Fuel economy clocks in officially in the early 50s for the front-wheel drive Korando and
this four-wheel drive model is rated for around 41mpg.
CO2 emissions, meanwhile, range between 139 and 177g/km depending on whether it’s front-
or four-wheel drive.
Still, you do get a lot of car for your money and the Korando undercuts the majority of
its rivals by around two thousand pounds.
The Qashqai, Sportage and Tucson, by way of example, are all more than £17,000 as standard.
This range-topping ELX starts from £22,495, but it’s worth bearing in mind that the
top-spec Dacia Duster is only a grand or so more expensive than the basic Korando, and
features much of the same kit too.
Opting for the four-wheel drive model will cost you more and also harm the fuel economy,
but bear in mind that SsangYong offers a competitive five-year unlimited mileage warranty.
It’s probably safe to say that nobody is going to buy a Korando for its driving thrills,
but when measured according to its strengths it certainly makes a case for itself in terms
of sheer value for money.
Yes, the Dacia Duster might be less expensive, but if you’re looking for a hard-wearing,
capable and cost-effective crossover and you’re not too bothered about brand names, there’s
more to the SsangYong Korando than just a discount price.
But what are your thoughts on SsangYong’s bargain Qashqai rival?
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