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22/06/2011
Car Review By MURRAY HUBBARD
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Not only have the heavyweight Korean car makers, Hyundai and Kia, lifted their game in recent years, so also has lesser-known Korean brand SsangYong. The ‘other’ South Korean recently launched its fourth generation Korando compact SUV, and it’s far and away the best looking vehicle to wear the SsangYong badge.
The shape of the new Korando is a far cry from the love-it-or-hate-it SsangYongs of the past. It’s a stylish SUV - designed in Italy no less - that will not turn heads for all the wrong reasons as did some previous models from this relatively young marque. Korando had been on the back burner of the past two years as a new owner had to be found for the ailing Ssangyong brand. That new owner is the Indian Mahindra company that holds a controlling interest.
In the same week we reviewed the SsangYong Korando we were also road testing Holden’s Captiva and we soon found the two vehicles to have quite a bit in common, and it’s not just their South Korean background. The Korando is shorter, but still has an excellent size cargo area at 486 litres. From the front-three-quarter view you could be forgiven for thinking the vehicles are siblings.
Although our test vehicle was the AWD SX version, Korando also comes as a front wheel drive. This keeps the price and weight down and at the same time caters for those who like the spaciousness and practicality offered by an SUV. Power is supplied by a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection diesel that develops 129 kW of power, and 360 Nm of torque between 2000 rpm and 3000 rpm. The engine is linked to either a six-speed manual shifter or an Australian-designed and built automatic. Our test car was fitted with the manual.
Korando come in three grades, S, SX and SPR. The 2WD S has a choice of manual or automatic, the AWD SX has a choice of auto or manual while the SPR is automatic only. The Korando has not always been an SUV. Previous models were either 4WD or rear wheel drive only. Korando comes with an impressive list of safety features that should satisfy most buyers. Crash saving Electronic Stability Program is standard as is traction control, and active rollover protection. Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist are also standard and also the handy - in manual vehicles - hill start assist. The vehicle comes with six SRS airbags and electronic active head restraints on the front seats. All in all an excellent package in a vehicle priced from $26,311.
In overall terms the interior is good, but could be better. The seats are on the hard side giving a feeling of sitting ‘on’ them and not ‘in’ them. The driver’s seat has manual height adjustment. The ergonomics are okay, but we’d like to see reach action added to the steering column that presently only has tilt. The interior has a hard plastic appearance but in reality the plastics are softer than they look. The front seats have dual drink holders as well as bottle holders in the doors alongside large storage for road maps and so on.
The air conditioning and audio controls are large and user-friendly. Facing the driver is a simple duo of speedometer and tachometer that are large and easy to read. Cruise control is via a stalk off the column. For soft off-road work the AWD version has an AWD lock button. Both vanity mirrors have lights and Korando also features Bluetooth, MP3, CD and USB ports. The rear pew will take three adults, but is ideally suited to two adults and a child. There’s plenty of headroom though, and a surprising amount of legroom for a compact size SUV. Power windows feature on all doors and there are three doors with grab handles for assisting in entry and exit.
The rear seat has an easy to use 60/40 split fold to greatly increase the cargo area. The under floor area of the cargo hold is home to the full-size alloy spare wheel. There’s a 12 volt outlet on the side of the cargo area. Roof rails were included on our SX model. If there’s one area we feel the Korando could be improved it is under the bonnet. The engine is noisy with a diesel rattle that in today’s market buyers may find a little off-putting.
However, the engine has ample torque of 360 Nm. Combine this with a low ratio first gear and you have an engine that can be easily stalled on take-off. Once underway, it’s a different story with the engine pulling easily through the gears from around 1500 rpm. We have already mentioned the hardish seats and the lack of steering wheel reach - to some extent covered by the height adjustment on the driver’s seat. We also found the Korando just off the pace of its competitors inside the cabin in terms of refinement and ergonomics. Could we live with one?
Easily. Where Korando has an advantage is the diesel engine which competitors are unable to offer under $30,000. Ssangyong has measured consumption of 6.4 litres per 100 km from the manual version of the vehicle. We attained consumption of just under 8.0 L/100 km, but this included a lot of slow city driving.
MODEL RANGE AND PRICING
Korando S 2WD 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $27,990 (manual)
Korando SX AWD 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $32,110 (manual)
Korando SPR AWD 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $38,775 (automatic)
Note: These are driveaway prices.
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: Option in S & SX, standard in SPR
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Electronic Stability Program: Standard in all models
Rear Parking Sensors: Standard in SPR, not offered in S & SX
Reversing Camera: Not offered
USB Audio Inputs: Standard in all models
Satellite Navigation: Not offered
Bluetooth: Standard in all models (telephone & audio)
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls: Standard in all models
SPECIFICATIONS (SsangYong Korando SX AWD 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.998 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Head Design: DOHC
Compression Ratio: 16.5:1
Bore/Stroke: 86.2 mm x 85.6 mm
Maximum Power: 129 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 360 Nm @ 2000 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Part time AWD
Manual Transmission: Six-speed
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4410 mm
Wheelbase: 2650 mm
Width: 1830 mm
Height: 1675 mm
Turning Circle: 10.8 metres
Kerb Mass: 1546 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 57 litres
Towing Ability: 2000 kg (kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension: Coil
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Diesel
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 6.4 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: Not rated
Air Pollution Rating: Not rated
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/ 100,000 km |
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