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Dual cab utes are a not so much a flavour of the month but a genuine year-in-year-out consistent performer in the Australian market. We have just spent a week in the bargain-basement end of the segment at the wheel of Ssangyong's Actyon Sport model and have come away with mixed feelings.
This segment is interesting in that there's two distinct choices for buyers: Down in the boon-dock models from Korea, India and China with Ssangyong's Actyon, Mahindra Pik Up and Great Wall and the more familiar brands such as Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara, Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max, Ford Ranger, Holden Colorado and Mazda BT 50.
Make no mistake, the cheaper end of town is highly competitive thanks to Great Wall's 4X4 dual cab ute having a driveway price of $26,990. Unfortunately, Great Wall seems unable to provide test vehicles, so we can't publish a review. Ssangyong's entry-level Actyon tradie ute hits the streets at $27,990, but that's before on road and government charges. Our test vehicle was the grade above this, the Actyon Sports at $31,990, before on roads.
Ssangyong gave the Actyon a minor mid-life facelift recently – a spruce up to the grille – but that has done little to soften the vehicle's quirky appearance. Ssangyong say the Actyon in it's current guise has around another two years to go and we can expect new sheetmetal at that time, which we read to imply a less out-there appearance which will give the vehicle a broader appeal. Blog site contributors have been known to call the Actyon `ugly', but much better looking that another Ssangyong, the Stavic people mover. Let's just say the design is interesting and we look forward to seeing the new model in a couple of years time.
POWERTRAIN
Under that `interesting' sheetmetal, the Actyon is not a bad thing. Our vehicle came with the 2.0 litre common rail turbo diesel with 104 kW of power and an adequate 310 Nm of torque from 1800 rpm. This is run through a six speed auto shifter. It can be a little toey, because of a slight turbo-lag at low revs, but generally was smooth in most conditions. No problems cruising at highway speeds and it's a reasonably quiet oil-burner. We ventured off-road on some easy tracks and the 4WD system works well between 2 High, 4 High and 4 Low. Engine braking is good as long as you flick the auto shifter across to lock in first gear.
OFFROAD
Actyon has some off-road issues not related to powertrain and these are a front that is too low for serious off-road conditions as well as a low ramp angle and average departure angle. Even on our easy track we found the vehicle's underbody touching terra firma too often and too easily. It sits just 193mm off the dirt. On our return trip from the bush we saw an identical Actyon Sports towing a dog wash trailer and our immediate thoughts were that this is a good vocation for this vehicle. The towing rate is 2.3 tonne and with 4WD it can handle slippery conditions while the tray would come in handy for bits and pieces. At the same time Actyon, minus trailer, easily reverts to a five seat family car.
SAFETY
Actyon comes with driver and front passenger front airbags but no side or curtain airbags. There's also no stability control. But there are creature comforts like power windows and mirrors, remote central locking, engine immobiliser and alarm, remote keyless entry and a moulded, protective tub liner for the tray. The Sports version also gets ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution, 16 inch alloy wheels, leather steering wheel, gear knob and cruise control in the auto.
INTERIOR
The interior is a little harsh with hard plastics and a no-frills, but practical design and layout. There are however audio controls on the steering wheel. We found the front seats quite comfortable but there are minor legroom issues for those in the rear pew. The Actyon boasts plenty of storage spaces inside the cabin and has an overall feeling of space. It was no hardship which we soon grew accustomed to and we could certainly live with on a daily basis, given the cost of entry. Actyon's cargo tray is not the biggest around and with the hard tonneau that comes with the Sports model don't expect to cart grandma's piano to the retirement home, unless you remove the cover.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
In overall terms we did not mind the Actyon. The engine does it's job without fuss, as long as you don't expect miracles from a 2.0 litre diesel, the transmission is smooth, but the ride comfort is compromised by a jittery, wiggly suspension. On pure flat roads this is not an issue. But on Australia's less than perfect black top, let alone gravel roads, the Actyon will have your wobbly bits doing what they do best, even though you are sitting still. Actyon features four coil suspension which is far too firm for Australian conditions. It might be okay if there's a heavy load in the tray, and three burly blokes in the back seat, but otherwise, for us, it was pretty ordinary. Having said that all dual cab utes – many having leaf springs in the rear – are not known for being car-like in ride. Actyon handling suffers a bit from predictable understeer and cornering is hindered by body roll. The steering is exceptionally light and lacks feel. Despite the suspension and `interesting' appearance we actually did not mind driving the Actyon Sports 4WD.
MODELS AND PRICING
Dual Cab Tradie 4X4 2.0 l T/D man/auto $27,990/$30,990
Dual Cab Sports 4X4 2.0 T/D man/auto $31,990/$34,990
Dual Cab SPR 4X4 2.0 T/D auto $39,990
FEATURES
ABS brakes: standard
Airconditioning: standard
Auto transmission: optional
CD player: Standard
Central Locking: Standard
Cruise Control: Standard
Dual front airbags: Standard
Front side airbags: N/A
Stability Control: N/A
Traction control: N/A
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 2.0 litre turbo diesel
Configuration: in line
Head design: DOHC
Compression ratio: 17.5:1
Bore/stroke: 86.2mm X 85.6 mm
Max Power: 104 kW @ 4000 rpm
Max Torque: 310 Nm @ 1800 rpm
DRIVELINE
Driven wheels: AWD
Manual transmission: Five speed
Auto transmission: 6 speed automatic
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4965 mm
Wheelbase: 3060 mm
Width: 1900 mm
Height: 1755 mm
Ground clearance: 193 mm
Turning circle: 12.4 m
Kerb Mass: 1912 kg
Fuel tank capacity: 75 litres
Towing ability: 2300 kg
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES
Front suspension: Coil spring, double wishbone
Rear suspension: Coil spring, multi-link
Front brakes: Ventilated discs
Rear brakes: Drum
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Type: diesel
Combined cycle: 8.1 litres/100 km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS
N/A
STANDARD WARRANTY
3 years/100,000 km |
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