Item: Ssangyong Korando
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

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Ssangyong Korando

Ssangyong Tivoli XLV

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Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

The entry-level pricing for the Korando starts off low, but rise through the trim levels and the price quickly ramps up. And even at the starting point of the lineup you can buy a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/karoq/estate/review/n118">Skoda Karoq</a>, which is a significantly better car all round, for similar money.

Plus while some versions of the Korando are cheap to buy, it’s not especially thrifty to run. Even the base engine’s 172g/km <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/new-official-fuel-consumption-and-co2-tests-explained/n1213">CO2 emissions</a> and combined 37mpg (WLTP) are not as good as many of its rivals’ equivalent engines, leading to a higher <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/how-is-company-car-tax-calculated/n22618">benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax bracket</a> for company car users and worse fuel economy.

Entry-level ELX models come with air-conditioning, 17in alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, power-folding door mirrors, front and rear electric windows and cruise control. That’s a decent tally for the money. Ventura trim adds 18in alloys wheels, part-faux leather upholstery and the infotainment and parking sensor upgrades we mentioned earlier. It makes the most sense when balancing costs and kit.&nbsp;

The Pioneer is available with the diesel engine only and the choice of two or four-wheel drive plus a full-size spare wheel, but misses out on some of the features of Ventura trim, while the top-spec Ultimate gives all the bells and whistles. These include leather upholstery, keyless entry and start, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, privacy glass and climate control, but it’s expensive.&nbsp;

Ssangyong wasn’t included in our latest reliability survey, but every Korando comes with an impressive seven-year warranty – considerably more than what’s offered by the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ateca/estate/review/n111">Seat Ateca</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/review/n7">Nissan Qashqai</a> and Karoq, and equalled only by the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/4x4/review/n17352">Kia Sportage</a>.

A raft of safety systems come as standard, including auto emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane-keeping assistance. This helped the Korando achieve the full five star safety rating from experts <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/euro-ncap-safety-ratings-2019-%E2%80%93-how-safe-is-your-car/n17044">Euro NCAP</a>. Rivals like the Karoq, Ateca and Qashqai also achieve a five star score, but these results are difficult to compare directly because they were all done in different years, and the safety tests have become far more stringent in recent years – with the Korando tested most recently of that crop. However, looking at the breakdown of the scores the Korando compares very well; although rear passenger protection in the event of a full frontal collision is one weak point where the other cars performed better.

If you opt for the 134bhp 1.6 diesel and six-speed automatic, the Ssangyong Korando feels reasonably eager and responsive at first, but that impression doesn't last. The 12.0sec 0-60mph time is testament to the fact&nbsp;that it’s not actually that quick flat out compared with a lot of rivals out there – the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/karoq/estate/review/n118">Skoda Karoq</a> 1.6 TDI 115 is quite a bit punchier, for example.

While straight-line pace leaves you wanting, it is gutsy, with enough muscle to tow up to two tonnes (with two or four-wheel drive)&nbsp;as long as you’re not in a hurry. It’s also impressively smooth for a diesel and keeps you largely free from intrusive vibrations inside, so it’s the most useful engine in the range.&nbsp;

The 161bhp 1.5 GDI-Turbo petrol engine is similarly lethargic. Yes, it will get you up to motorway speeds, but doing so takes a little while and you have to plant your foot firmly on the accelerator before it really comes to life.

The Karoq and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ateca/estate/review/n111">Seat Ateca</a>&nbsp;offer a wider range of significantly more impressive petrol engines, most of which are far quicker than the Korando’s offering. The automatic gearbox makes it slower still, and is not very responsive.&nbsp;

Steering is responsive and fairly accurate, while the firm suspension gives it&nbsp;decent poise and control through corners. It’s still some way off delivering the kind of driver enjoyment you’ll find in the Ateca, which is one of the sharpest <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/family-suv">family SUVs</a> to drive.

Most rivals – even the sporty Ateca –&nbsp;ride better than the Korando. On patchy surfaces, small bumps cause it to pitch and fidget, and all the jostling gets pretty tiresome after a while. Adding bigger 19in wheels only make matters worse. It does&nbsp;settle down at a motorway cruise, but if you want something more comfortable, we’d suggest looking at the Karoq instead.

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

It’s 161bhp will get you up to motorway speeds, but takes a little while and you have to plant your foot firmly on the accelerator before it really comes to life. Other rivals – the Skoda Karoq and Seat Ateca – offer a wider range of significantly more impressive petrol engines, most of which are far quicker and more efficient. Adding the automatic gearbox makes it slower still and it’s not very responsive. 


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OUR PICK

Its 134bhp makes it feel reasonably eager and responsive at first, but the 12.0sec 0-60mph time is testament that it’s not that quick flat out compared to a lot of rivals out there - the Karoq 1.6 TDI 115 is quite a bit punchier. But, while straightline pace leaves you wanting it’s gutsy, with enough muscle to tow up to two tonnes (with two or four-wheel drive), as long as you’re not in a hurry. It’s also impressively smooth for a diesel and keeps you largely free from intrusive vibrations inside, so in our view it’s the most useful engine in the range.

1.6 D

16-d

The Ssangyong Korando&nbsp;shows it’s worth considering more than just the usual suspects when you're shopping for a family SUV.

There are certainly plenty of usual suspects to choose from, too – all aiming to fit the bill as&nbsp;versatile everyday transport, able to cope&nbsp;with holidays, supermarket runs and a&nbsp;daily commute with ease.

The Korando is a challenger to popular models&nbsp;including&nbsp;the big-selling Nissan Qashqai, the sporty Seat Ateca&nbsp;and the practical Skoda Karoq.&nbsp;Ssangyong has tried to make it&nbsp;stand out from the crowd by going big on value, offering it with competitive pricing and a seven-year warranty (which only the Kia Sportage can match).

It's&nbsp;available in&nbsp;four trim levels and you get the choice of petrol or diesel power. The petrol is available with a manual or automatic gearbox&nbsp;while the diesel is automatic-only, but does give you the option of four-wheel drive.

The Ssangyong Korando is an appealing package on paper, then, but can it match the blend of comfort, versatility and economy that its best rivals offer? This review will cover what it's like to drive, how spacious it is inside, what each trim brings to the table and how much it will cost you to run.

We'll also put it to the test against key rivals in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/family-suv">family SUV</a> class, in particular the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/karoq/estate/review/n118">Skoda Karoq</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ateca/estate/review/n111">Seat Ateca</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/review/n7">Nissan Qashqai</a>, to help you decide which model best suits you and your family's needs.

Once you’ve made up your mind and are ready to buy your&nbsp;SUV of choice – or indeed a new vehicle of any make and model – we can help you get it for the best price out there. Simply use the free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car? New Car Buying service</a>&nbsp;to check out the big savings on offer, including&nbsp;plenty of tempting&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/ssangyong/korando/estate/deals">new Ssangyong Korando deals</a>.

The driving position in the Ssangyong Korando is a bit of a mixed bag. The steering wheel is noticeably offset to the left and only adjusts for height. Adjustable lumbar support for the driver's seat is reserved for the top trim levels, too. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/review/n7">Nissan Qashqai</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ateca/estate/review/n111">Seat Ateca</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/karoq/estate/review/n118">Skoda Karoq</a>&nbsp;all offer a more comfortable environment for an hour or so at the wheel.

Ventura and Ultimate trims get a 10.3in customisable digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. You can set this to display information such as navigation instructions or music track listings, as well as the usual driving information.

You sit fairly high in the Korando and the bonnet line is fairly low so you have a good forward view. But look back over your shoulder and your vision is obstructed by large blind spots on either side. So it’s worth opting for mid-range Ventura trim levels and above for rear parking sensors and a rear view camera; these combine to make manoeuvring the Korando easier.

Interior build quality is generally good but doesn’t match the best in the class. The leather seats of top-of-the-range Ultimate help to promote a classy ambience and prominent areas are finished with soft-touch surfaces, the centrepiece of the dashboard being a large gloss-black plastic panel with chrome-coloured accents. There are still some harder plastics to be found if you look for them, though.

The infotainment controls are mounted high so you don’t have to take your eyes too far from the road to use them. There’s also a USB-equipped cubby for your phone below the climate controls. Entry-level ELX trim gives you a measly 4.0in LCD display through which the DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity are controlled, while Ventura and Pioneer trims get a 8.0in touchscreen system. This has slick graphics and the software is quick to respond, and gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring included as standard. A 9.0in infotainment screen with sat-nav is reserved for top-spec Ultimate models.

Estate

Ssangyong has made giant strides in recent years, after it was taken over by a new owner and given a injection of investment to help its bid to become a credible car maker.

The result so far is a range of cars dominated by SUVs (as well as a single pick-up), most of which are below the class average standard but all of which have merits, including the amount of space and practicality they offer for the money.

The highlight in the range is currently the Korando, a Nissan Qashqai rival that offers all the space of that car but for a price closer to the much smaller Nissan Juke’s. It is very roomy and has decent engines, but it’s let down a bit by interior quality, high running costs and poor resale values.

SSANGYONG

KORANDO

Combines versatility with agility and generous equipment&nbsp;at an attractive price. Its running costs are rather high, though, and ride comfort could be better, so it’s hard to recommend the Korando over the best in this class.

On paper, the Korando’s dimensions are bigger than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/karoq/estate/review/n118">Skoda Karoq’s</a>, and it does impress in the practicality stakes. Up front there’s plenty of room all round to fit tall adults easily.

Head and leg room are also impressive for those in the back, and there’s enough room for three adults to sit side-by-side for short journeys without much clashing of elbows. There’s also a flat floor, which means the middle passenger isn’t forced to straddle the typical hump that besets many of its rivals.

A smattering of useful storage areas add further to the Korando’s practical qualifications, with a deep storage area under the armrest between the front seats and a pair of cupholders behind the gear selector. The door pockets are a reasonable size and there are cupholders in the rear armrest, too.&nbsp;

The boot trounces the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/review/n7">Nissan Qashqai’s</a> and even pips the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/karoq/estate/review/n118">Skoda Karoq’s</a> for official luggage space. There's also a height-adjustable boot floor that eliminates any load lip, which is helpful when you’re lugging heavier items in or out. The rear seats can also be folded flat to create an even bigger area that should accommodate any flatpack furniture. But the Korando’s rear seats can only fold in a 60/40 configuration, whereas the ultra-flexible Karoq offers more practical 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which are much more versatile and can even be removed entirely.

ELX models come with air-conditioning, 17in alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, power-folding door mirrors, front and rear electric windows and cruise control. That’s a decent tally for the money, but the infotainment system is basic and you don’t get parking sensors or a rear-view camera


Ventura trim adds 18in alloys wheels, part-faux leather upholstery, a better infotainment system with an 8.0in touchscreen, digital instruments, front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. It makes the most sense when balancing costs and kit. 


Ventura

ventura

Ultimate gives you all the bells and whistles. These include leather upholstery, keyless entry and start, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, privacy glass and climate control, a bigger 9.0in infotainment screen and LED headlights. But it’s expensive and the 19in alloy wheels degrade the ride quality. 


Ultimate

ultimate

The Pioneer model is available with the diesel engine only and the choice of two or four-wheel drive. You get a full-size spare wheel but you lose some of the kit that you get with Ventura model trim.


Pioneer

pioneer

The Ssangyong Korando gets closer to its rivals than ever before in terms of its driving experience. It's also very practical and comes with lots of safety features, but it's still outclassed by the best when it comes to comfort, pace and running costs. It's not actually that cheap when you move up to the models that have the equipment most people are looking for. So it’s worth a look, but we’d advise you to consider the myriad of better options available. 

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Comfortable ride </li> <li>Feature-filled infotainment </li> <li>Space for child seats </li> <li>Robust build quality </li> <li>Practical storage spaces </li> <li>A boot fit for a family holiday </li> <li>Fuel-efficient engines</li></ul>

While we define a small SUV&nbsp;as something&nbsp;less than 4.3 metres long and a large SUV as measuring more than 4.5 metres, family SUVs tread the middle ground.

As the name suggests, the vast majority are&nbsp;designed for family duties rather than serious off-roading, so practicality is paramount. However, that&nbsp;shouldn't come at the expense of a decent drive; the best examples combine tidy handling with smooth engines&nbsp;and a ride that's comfortable&nbsp;enough to ensure the kids aren't left feeling queasy.

The Seat Ateca and&nbsp;Skoda Karoq should definitely be on your shortlist. But if you have a bit more to spend,&nbsp;the Range Rover Evoque is another strong option. If money is a concern, then the Dacia Duster provides comfortable, spacious and well-equipped transportation for an affordable price.

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Ssangyong Korando review

Introduction

What Car? says...