Test Car Specifications
Model: 2022 SsangYong Rexton Ultimate
Price: From £40,780
Engine: 2.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, selectable four-wheel drive
Power: 202hp
Torque: 441Nm
Emissions: 227g/km
Economy/Range: 32.6mpg
0-62mph: 10.7 seconds
Top speed: 114mph
Boot space: 240-1,806 litres
Styling
Arguably the biggest weak point of the Rexton is the way it looks. Chunky, unable to hide its bulk and with a slightly awkward stance it’s hardly the most attractive car on the road, despite SsangYong’s attempts to luxe it up. A big grille, some chrome trim and alloy wheels don’t make a luxury car, though, and posters of the Rexton – if indeed they exist – will not be crowding the walls of kids’ bedrooms anytime soon.
Interior
Happily, the interior is a bit more like it. Even the cheapest Rextons get a touchscreen infotainment system with a reversing camera, while heated seats, leather (or at least leatherette) upholstery and two-zone climate control are also standard. The design isn’t all that spectacular – it still looks quite bulky – but all the equipment is there and there’s enough luxury to be getting on with. Build quality is generally pretty good, although a Kia Sorento has some slightly more upmarket materials, but the Rexton is unquestionably robust and spacious, with a cabin that feels relatively airy. The tech isn’t brilliant – a Kia infotainment system is better in terms of sharpness and functionality – but it does the job for those on a budget.
Practicality
The Rexton really shows its class when it comes to space, with ample seating for seven. Those in the first two rows will have no complaints about head- or legroom, even if they're quite tall, and small or flexible adults will be perfectly happy in the rearmost seats. In fact, six-footers will still be relatively content there on a long journey, and that isn't bad going at all. With all seven seats in place, the boot isn't especially huge, at 240 litres, but that's more than you get from some city cars, and it expands to a whopping 1,800 litres with the two back rows of seats folded to create an almost flat boot floor.
Performance
Under the bonnet of the Rexton is a 2.2-litre diesel engine with 202hp, and that drives the wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a selectable all-wheel-drive system. The set-up works pretty well, and although the Rexton isn't what you'd call quick, it does at least manage reasonable economy for a vehicle of this size and weight. Topping 30mpg is no mean feat for a car that's six feet tall and weighs almost 2.2 tonnes, while a 0-62mph time of 10.7 seconds is respectable enough for a big 4x4. The fact it can pull a braked trailer weighing up to 3,500kg will also be a boon for those who want to tow.
Ride & Handling
With all that in mind, it's no surprise that the Rexton doesn't really handle at all. The steering is vague, the body wallows and rolls in corners and there's no attempt at sportiness. It doesn't ride that brilliantly, either, with the rear end bouncing over potholes and the front feeling heavy and stodgy over the bumps. But it's incredibly strong off-road, tackling terrain that's more demanding than anything any customer will ever throw at it. It has Land Cruiser levels of talent, and that's saying something. Unfortunately, though, most customers buy one of these for use on the road, and there the Rexton feels a little unrefined and lumpen, which puts it way behind the likes of the Kia Sorento diesel and the aforementioned Land Cruiser.
Value
The cheapest Rexton comes in at £38,350, which makes it £4,000 more expensive than the smaller, less capable, and less well equipped Skoda Kodiaq seven-seater. That might sound a little punchy, but the top-of-the-range Ultimate Plus version only costs £45,495, and that puts it on a par with the most expensive Kodiaq. All this for a car the size of a £64,150 Toyota Land Cruiser Invincible, which is arguably a more relevant rival. And you don't miss out on kit, either. All Rextons get leather upholstery, a digital instrument cluster and keyless ignition, as well as a touchscreen and a reversing camera. Two-zone climate control is standard, too, along with heated front and rear seats, and ventilated front seats.
Verdict
The Rexton is no longer the laughing stock of SUVs. Yes, it’s a little more agricultural than your Audi Q7s and Mercedes-Benz GLEs, but it’s more characterful and even more capable, not to mention significantly cheaper. Admittedly, it doesn’t appeal to the same audience – the Rexton is a proper 4x4 with a veneer of luxury, rather than a luxury car with off-road pretensions – but it certainly has appeal for a select group of customers.
