Our cars: Ssangyong Korando - December

Ssangyong Korando 2.0D 4WD SX

Week ending December 7
Mileage: 8212
Driven this week: 249

Ssangyong Korando review

The cold weather is proving more of a test for the Korando than I would have expected. In the mornings it is taking two to three cranks of the starter for the engine to fire.

This is not what you’d expect of any new car in 2012. Apart from the momentary anxiety of ‘will it start?’ The car is also taking a long time to get warm inside. On my 45-50 minute commute, the heating control is left at maximum for a good 20 minutes.

I have praised the Korando’s pared-back approach in previous reports, but I had not expected it to appear fragile in temperatures that to date have dipped only 2-3C below freezing.

andrew.golby@whatcar.com