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07/12/2009
By EWAN KENNEDY
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Those who like ‘real’ 4WDs should take a serious look at SsangYong's Kyron. Because it is unusual in its class in being a true 4WD, with a ladder-frame chassis and a two-speed transfer case. There's the choice of two-high, four-high and four-low ranges, but no neutral position. Shifts between ranges are controlled from a turn-knob on the dash.
 This gives it the ability to tackle some pretty harsh off-road conditions, and come away from the action with the driver looking happy with what they have achieved.
Price is arguably the biggest attraction of the new SsangYong Kyron range, with a recommended retail price (excluding statutory and delivery charges) of just $32,990 for the XDi model. Even the more expensive of the two-car range, the Kyron SPR with a sophisticated six-speed automatic transmission, is only listed at $39,990.
There's good interior space for four adults and a fifth can be carried without being unpleasantly cramped. Noise levels in the Kyron are about average when accelerating but it becomes very quiet when cruising. Indeed at a steady 100 km/h this is one of the quietest vehicles of all and makes an excellent country tourer.
We like the general handling of the Kyron on the road. Its steering has reasonable feel, though some will find it on the soft side. There's good road grip even at above average cornering speeds for a full-chassis 4WD. We found the damping provided by the shock absorbers was a little slow at times and caused some hassles over hard bumps.
Those looking for comfort ahead of off-road ability from their SUV may care to test the SsangYong under rough road conditions. Or possibly contact a suspension specialist to see what improvements can be purchased.
 Kyron has an electronically controlled part-time four-wheel-drive system that, unlike most of its front-drive competitors, runs to the rear wheels in normal conditions. With the excellent part-time 4WD system, high and low range four-wheel-drive can be selected from the driver’s seat and on-the-fly switching to high range 4WD is possible at speeds up to 70 km/h.
SsangYong Kyron comes with air conditioning, power windows and mirrors with power folding and heating. Entertainment is provided by a six-speaker CD/AM/FM audio system and there are steering-wheel controls for improved safety. The steering wheel now carries tiptronic-type controls to let the driver make pseudo manual gear changes on the automatic transmission. In the safety department, the Kyron has ABS brakes, dual front airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters.
Power comes from a four-cylinder of 2.0-litre turbo-diesel. It’s adequate rather than exciting in the way it goes and can struggle on long hills. There's more turbo lag than we like but anticipate this and the characteristics can be lived with.
 This tough little South Korean SsangYong vehicle is a genuine off-road 4WD that’s finished to a reasonably good standard. It offers plenty of interior space and has a high level of standard equipment. While not the most exciting vehicle on, or off, the road, Kyron's value for money seems sure to appeal to those who want a sensible SUV that will assist them in staying out of trouble.
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