Review SsangYong Korando 2020: ELX
Content
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10
- How practical is the interior space? 8/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
- What is it like to drive? 8/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 9/10
- Verdict
When it comes to Korean cars, there is no doubt that they have now equaled and, in some respects, even surpassed their Japanese rivals.
Once seen as cheap and obnoxious alternatives, Hyundai and Kia have indeed entered the mainstream and are widely accepted by Australian buyers.
However, we know this story, so this time we will consider a different one. It's a name from the past that hopes to revive Korean success... SsangYong.
After the brand's less than ideal start in the 90s, when its design and quality couldn't quite match the standards of even its Korean rivals, it's back, bigger and better than before.
Could his latest model, the Korando midsize SUV, be the car that will change Australia's attitude towards the brand?
We took the mid-spec ELX for a week to find out.
| 2020 Ssangyong Corando: ELX | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | 1.5 L turbo |
| fuel type | Regular unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 7.7l / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | $21,900 |
Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
Like most SsangYongs, the Korando isn't for everyone. It still looks a little weird. To say that the brand's catalog still looks "controversial" is an understatement.
The problem isn't so much at the front, where the Korando has a stiff, muscular stance accentuated by its angular grille and headlights.
And not in the side profile, where the Korando has a VW-style waistline running down the doors to a stiff lip above the rear wheel arches.
No, it's at the back where SsangYong could potentially lose sales. It's like the rear end was designed by a completely different team. Who couldn't lay down the pen, adding line after outline, after detail to the trunk lid. Sometimes less is really more.
However, I'm a fan of its LED lights and the little protruding spoiler. The entire package is still one of the most thoughtful and pleasing to look at in the SsangYong lineup.
Inside, things have been taken up a notch by a Korean manufacturer. The Korando has a consistent design language, with a slotted panel running over the top, matching door cards (which overlap with the design) and a significant upgrade in materials over previous models.
I love how unabashedly alien it all seems. There is not a single switchgear in the cabin that would be shared with other cars on the road.
I also love the chunky steering wheel, the quirky function switches with big dials on them, the diamond-patterned air-conditioning and infotainment knobs, and the awesome seats wrapped in weird gray swimwear material.
It's surprisingly odd and definitely different from many of its competitors. It is also very well built, with consistent lines and solid construction. During the test, we did not even hear a creak from the cabin.
Although the design is quite pleasant, it has some materials that are somewhat unnecessarily outdated in the interior.
This is probably a design gap between what is desirable in Korea and what is desirable in our market. The black pickguard on the piano, an overkill, just doesn't do it justice, and the dash looks a bit old-fashioned with its dials and dot-matrix display. The higher-spec Ultimate solves this problem with a digital instrument cluster.
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10
SsangYong is here to play when it comes to its car's value proposition. The Korando ELX is a mid-range model with an MSRP of $30,990. That's about the same as the entry-level options of its main competitors, and it's also equipped with an unparalleled level of equipment.
It's slightly smaller in size than mainstream midsize cars like the Kia Sportage (S 2WD petrol - $30,190) and Honda CR-V (Vi - $30,990) and competes more directly with segment leaders like Nissan Qashqai (ST – $US 28,990 29,990). or Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (ES – $XNUMXXNUMX).
Included are 18-inch alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, halogen headlights, a dot-matrix instrument binnacle display, rain-sensing wipers, heated auto-folding side mirrors, and push-button start and keyless entry. .
Included features are 18-inch alloy wheels. (Image: Tom White)
You'll get even more gear on Ultimate. Things like leather upholstery, a digital instrument cluster, a sunroof, LED headlights and a power liftgate. Still, the ELX is great value for money, even without those elements.
Luckily, it also gets a full set of active safety features. More on this in the security section of this review. The cost also pays off in the ownership and engine categories, so it's worth mentioning those as well.
Known major competitors cannot compete with equipment at this price, while Qashqai and Mitsubishi cannot compete with warranty, making the Korando a superior offering at this price.
The only option available for the ELX is premium paint. The shade of Cherry Red that this car wears will set you back an additional $495.
It features an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. (Image: Tom White)
How practical is the interior space? 8/10
Although smaller in appearance than many mid-sized rivals, the Korando has a slick package that gives it competitive interior space.
The entire cabin is a large airspace thanks to large window openings, and front passengers benefit from large storage boxes in the doors, as well as large cup holders in the doors and on the center console.
There's a small binnacle underneath the air conditioner controls that you can put your phone in, but nothing else will fit in there. There's also a small armrest console with no amenities inside, and a decent-sized glove box.
In terms of connectivity, there is a 12-volt outlet and one USB port. The seats are comfortable with odd swimsuit-style trim. The dials for everything are a big plus, and once you get used to the weird turnstiles built into the controls, those are handy too.
The rear seat offers a huge amount of legroom. Much more than I expected and it's on par, if not more than the Sportage I tested the week before. The seats are comfortable and recline in two stages.
The rear seat offers a huge amount of legroom. (Image: Tom White)
Rear passengers get pockets on the backs of the front seats, a small bottle holder in the doors, and a 12-volt outlet. There are no USB ports or directional vents, which is very disappointing.
The trunk is also massive, 550 liters (VDA). That's more than many full-fledged midsize SUVs, but there's one catch. The Korando doesn't have a spare tire, just an inflation kit, and to top it off, the boot trim is a little primitive.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10
Unlike many of its entry-level competitors, the SsangYong has a small turbocharged engine under the hood that is far better than the outdated 2.0-liter variants most used by competitors.
This is a 1.5-liter engine with 120 kW / 280 Nm. That's more than enough for the size, and outperforms both the turbocharged Eclipse Cross (110kW/250Nm) and the non-turbo Qashqai (106kW/200Nm).
Also, unlike many of its competitors, it powers the front wheels through a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission instead of a lackluster CVT or overly complicated dual clutch.
SsangYong has a low power turbocharged engine under the hood that is much better than the outdated 2.0-liter variants most commonly used by competitors. (Image: Tom White)
How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
In this particular layout, the Korando's claimed combined fuel consumption is 7.7L/100km. That sounds right for a turbocharged engine, but our week of testing produced 10.1L/100km and we spent a bit of time on the freeway to balance the result.
The Korando's 95-litre tank requires premium unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 47.
What is it like to drive? 8/10
SsangYong isn't exactly a brand known for its driving experience, but that impression should change once you get behind the wheel of this new Korando.
It's by far the best driving experience the brand has ever created, with its turbo engine proving to be punchy, responsive and even quiet under load.
The automatic torque converter is predictable and linear, although there are occasional stutters when downshifting. However, still better than the CVT.
The steering is weird. It's incredibly lightweight. This is great for maneuvering through narrow city streets and doing reverse parking, but can be annoying at higher speeds.
Korando may not be for everyone, with his strong Korean personality and crazy style. (Image: Tom White)
However, it does seem to give you some feedback on bumps and corners, which is a refreshing reminder that it's not entirely lifeless.
The suspension is basically great. It has the odd characteristic of being clumsy, overactive, and sudden on small bumps, but handles the bigger things incredibly well.
It floats over potholes and even speed bumps, providing a mostly comfortable ride on some of the worst city roads we could offer it.
This is especially impressive considering the Korando doesn't have a localized suspension setup.
It's also good in corners, and the whole package feels light and bouncy, giving it an eye-catching hatch-like look.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
7 years / unlimited mileage
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
The Korando ELX has an active safety package consisting of Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB - High Speed with Pedestrian Detection), Lane Keeping Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert with automatic emergency braking in reverse. .
It's a great set, especially at this price point, with the only major omission being active cruise control, which comes standard on the top-of-the-range Ultimate version.
Korando also has seven airbags, the expected electronic control systems, a reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors, and dual ISOFIX child seat anchorage points.
It's no surprise that Korando has received the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating in accordance with the latest and most stringent requirements.
The only thing I would like to see here is a spare tire for truckers.
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 9/10
SsangYong indicates it's here to play with what it calls the "777" warranty, which stands for seven years/unlimited mileage warranty, seven years of roadside assistance and seven years of limited price service.
Every model in the SsangYong range has a service interval of 12 months/15,000 km, whichever comes first.
Service prices are incredibly good. They are set for just $295 per visit over a seven-year period.
There is a long list of add-ons, although SsangYong is completely transparent about which ones will be required and when. Not only that, the brand breaks down each cost into parts and wages to give you the confidence that you are not being ripped off. Excellent.
Verdict
The Korando may not be for everyone, with its strong Korean character and fun style, but those willing to take the risk and try something a little different will be rewarded with great value and a great driving experience.
