SsangYong is back. It’s not that the “other” Korean marque ever really went away, but after surviving the economic slump both locally and abroad, Ssangyong’s ageing product line-up has been boosted with the introduction of an impressively packaged, unibody-based, compact crossover, the Korando.
Did you know that Korando is Korea’s oldest surviving automotive nomenclature? It speaks volumes for the transformation that the Korean motor industry has undergone in the past decade… Now in its fourth generation, the Korando foregoes the oddball looks of its siblings for the handsome lines penned by renowned Italian design house Giugaro, but its core USP, excellent value for money, remains in place. Its fellow Koreans, the recently-launched Hyundai ix35 and Kia Sportage, fit the description of crossovers better than that of compact SUVs, and the Kornado follows the same formula, with four-wheel drive, automatic and petrol-engined versions also on the way.
With demand for ix35s and Sportages exceeding supply by some margin on the local market, the Korando 2,0 CRD 4×2 manual is priced keenly at R294 995, comes generously equipped and a 3 years/100 km warranty and 5 years/105 000 km service plan are standard. Propulsion comes courtesy of a self-developed (not Mercedes-Benz sourced) 2,0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel motor that’s mated with a slick 6-speed manual transmission and develops 130 kW and 360 N.m of torque.
Although strangely-shaped and oversized tail light clusters are not uncommon on Ssangyong products, those elements and the marque’s double wing logo are the only familiar cues on the new Korando, which is otherwise shapely and well-proportioned. The front end is particularly well executed, especially the chrome-accented bumper and handsome headlamps, and the 18-inch alloys improve the squat, wheel-at-each-corner appearance of SsanYong’s new compact crossover.
The interior is leather-trimmed and reasonably spacious fore and aft. The facia is ergonomically sound although the interior plastics feel solid and hardy as opposed to luxurious. The driving position is very comfortable too, although the steering wheel is only adjustable for rake (not reach). There are several surprise and delight features on the Korando’s standard specification list…
Air-conditioning, dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, electric windows and a multi-function steering wheel are expected at this price range, but the puddle lamps in the side mirrors, cruise control, keyless entry and the 60:40 split rear seats that can either recline or fold flat completely, are nice to have features. The radio/CD audio system is MP3 compatible and features USB and auxiliary input sockets as standard… and I especially appreciate the shopping bag hook in the front passenger footwell. What’s more, the luggage bay is generously sized and a full-sized spare is supplied.
The Korando’s driving experience doesn’t quite live up to the impressive packaging, although it needs to be noted that the most compact SUVs or crossovers on the market are set up for comfort and ease of driving. Ssangyong’s newcomer does show a good turn of pace and the gearshift action is precise… the motor’s torque output is not class leading, but comes with an impressive taxable carbon dioxide emissions rating of 159 g/km and produces low levels of NVH.
The hydraulically-assisted steering is quick and accurate, yet offers negligible feedback through the steering wheel. The front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link suspension setup is car-like yes, but the pock-marked test route in Gauteng proved a stern test for the Korando… Although there was no noticeable bucking or floatiness to the ride quality, medium to large undulations in the road announced themselves through the odd bump and thud, sometimes harder than one’d expect.
Having said that, the new Korando will undoubtedly generate more showroom traffic than any previous SsangYong product before it. It will remind the buying public that there is an alternative to Kia and Hyundai (in this particular segment) and let’s hope AMH will sidestep the stock availability issues that have impeded Sportage and ix35 sales volumes. A four-wheel drive and 6-speed automatic version of the Korando will be available in June, SsangYong general manager Pedro Pareira announced at the launch, followed by 2,3-litre petrol models in September.
Now that Indian-based Mahindra has acquired a 70 per cent stake in the SsangYong Motor company, there will be considerable investment in the marque’s new product development as well as brand building programmes. Therefore, if future SsangYong products offer attractive packaging combined with a strong value for money proposition as well as the new Korando does, the traditionally quirky and love-it-or-hate it brand will join the mainstream – and probably be much better for it.
