NEW CAR ROAD TEST: SSANGYONG REXTON

Want a large SUV that can walk the walk as well as talking the talk? What about one you probably aren’t familiar with, the vastly improved fourth generation version of SsangYong’s Rexton? If you’re secure enough in yourself not to care too much about badge equity and want a large, capable, well equipped seven-seat 4x4 for sensible money, it makes a lot of sense. Under the bonnet, this Rexton gets an uprated 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine manufactured by SsangYong, which delivers maximum power of 178bhp and maximum torque of 309lb/ft. This new-era Rexton has a fresh, more modern look and features body-on-frame construction. The front end has the grille style first seen on the smaller Tivoli SUV (supposed to suggest a bird in flight) and there’s a choice of 17in, 18in or 20in alloy wheels. SsangYong has done a reasonable job in bringing the running cost returns of this Rexton up to date courtesy of its own 2.2-litre Euro 6 e-XDi diesel engine. Combined cycle fuel economy is rated at 36.2mpg for the manual model and 34.8mpg for the automatic. Yes of course the properly tough underpinnings necessary to achieve this mean that this car won’t tackle the tarmac twisties like a BMW X5 – but then no SUV that’s this big and practical can do that. Approach a drive in a Rexton remembering this, with expectations based around the things this car has been designed to do, and you’re likely to be very satisfied with what it delivers.