KOREAN FAMILY SUV IS FULL OF SURPRISES

A little-known Korean brand’s SUV is a delight to experience

SsangYong is back in Cairns, now under the Trinity Auto Group portfolio at Earlville. The range is simple: Korando and Rexton SUVs, and the Musso long and short wheelbase dual cab utes. SsangYong is mistaken for Chinese but is the third Korean brand sold in Australia after Hyundai and Kia.

Previous SsangYongs are best forgotten because the new range has made great strides forward in dynamics, quality, refinement and equipment.

The Korando is a medium-sized SUV priced from $28,990 drive-away in entry-level EX, $30,990 drive-away for the mid-grade ELX or $36,990 for the Ultimate flagship as reviewed.

It’s a good-looking vehicle with sleek headlights, a lower grille, sharp creases and muscular wheel arches.

The SsangYong has gear that is usually reserved for more expensive models, including a turbo engine, smart keys, front parking sensors, 19in wheels, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, rear tinted glass, a sun-roof, LED fog-lights, heated steering, heated and cooled seats and a powered tailgate.

The digital dash can be customised like in an Audi or Mercedes-Benz.

There is a larger 8in touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and lane keeping assistance.

SsangYong’s seven-year warranty (with roadside help and capped-price servicing) is a strong point. Inside is a good balance between luxury and practicality.

There is plenty of space in the front and rear, and the boot is particularly spacious, but the steering wheel is large and oddly-shaped.

The 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol is good with outputs of 120kW and 280Nm, married to a six-speed automatic.

It was responsive with enough oomph for overtaking, and the transmission, while a bit slow to shift sometimes, was smooth.

Steering is light and a turning circle of 10.4m is good for the class.

The ride is good and absorbing, there is great vision all round and it cruises comfortably.

The Nexen tyres are not up to scratch though, especially on wet roads such as the Kuranda Range. It understeered quite noticeably and spun the wheels easily.

Open road cruising is relatively quiet with little feedback from the wheels, engine and the wind.

SsangYong suggests fuel use of 7.7L; I used about 8.8L last weekend, which included a stint to Mareeba via the Kuranda Range through to Mt Molloy, Mossman and back to Cairns.

There’s a lot to like about the Korando Ultimate, such as advanced safety tech and fivestar ANCAP rating, more features than its similarly priced rivals, plus it’s comfortable and easy to drive.

Overall it is a very pleasant surprise package and is worth a test drive at Trinity Auto Group, Earlville.