Smallest SsangYong goes big on value
Crossover is showing its age but is hard to beat for equipment, writes Matt Allan
The SsangYong Tivoli is worthy of note for a couple of reasons. It was the first compact SUV from a brand known for large 4x4s and since 2015 has become the South Korean firm’s best-selling model.
Some bigger brands might launch an all-new car in the time since then but, with limited resources, that’s not an option for SsangYong so last year the Tivoli got a bit of a facelift.
The update brought relatively minor changes to the exterior, with a new grille and lighting design the biggest differences. So, as before, the Tivoli won’t be competing for any beauty prizes.
Under the bonnet, a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is another new addition and it’s surprisingly powerful for the size of the car - 160bhp gives it an on-paper advantage over rivals. However, it feels old fashioned and unrefined, and mid-30s economy is a weakness against far more frugal rivals.
In its defence, the similarly priced MG ZS has significantly less power without much advantage in the economy stakes while the 44mpg Dacia Duster doesn’t have an auto option.
More expensive rivals have moved things on in terms of ride, handling and refinement but the Tivoli feels firm over bad surfaces yet displays a distinctly old-fashioned amount of body roll. It’s not bad in isolation, just not up to the increasingly good standard in the segment.
Still, SsangYong has never focused on bleeding edge dynamics, its big selling point has always been value and the Tivoli continues to offer plenty of more-bang-for-your-buck.
Starting at less than £15,000, only the Dacia Duster and MG ZS come close to it in terms of price. Our top-spec Ultimate test car was a shade under £20,000 and packed everything but the kitchen sink for the same price as the entry-level spec on some rivals.
Heated leather seats and steering wheel? Check. Dual-zone air con? Check. An sat nav-equipped eight-inch smartphone-compatible touchscreen? Check. Configurable digital instruments? Check. The list goes on with 18-inch diamond-cut alloys, a reversing camera and sensors all round, keyless entry and start, cruise control, all-round electric windows, privacy glass, auto-dipping headlights, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, forward collision warning and autonomousemergencybraking.
The Tivoli’s interior was also updated for 2020 but still gives away the car’s age. A new centre stack appears clumsily shoehorned into the space left by the old setup but at least means the controls are better quality and more userfriendly.
The rather mixed bag of materials and layout aside, the Tivoli’s interior is one of its strongest suits. Large windows make it feel airy and there’s an impressive amount of passenger space, with good head and legroom and comfortable seats. The boot is among the biggest in its class too.
Despite the refresh, the Tivoli is showing its age and lags behind many rivals in key areas. However, for lowmileage and budget-conscious buyers it reclaims some ground by being more practical, better equipped and significantly cheaper.