Test Car Specifications
Model: 2024 KGM (SsangYong) Tivoli K40 1.5 GDi-T Auto
Price: Tivoli from £23,030
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol
Transmission: six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Power: 163hp
Torque: 260Nm
Emissions: 176g/km
Economy: 36.4mpg
0-62mph: 9 seconds (estimated)
Top speed: 118mph
Boot space: 423-1,115 litres
Styling
The Tivoli's bodywork isn't all that different to its predecessor's, but the front end has had quite the makeover. Gone is the old design, replaced with a more modern, EV-inspired nose that's faired in, leaving the radiator grille lower down the bumper. It's a comparatively aerodynamic look, but one that won't be to everyone's taste, particularly with the three little tabs in the nose providing a knock-off Adidas aesthetic to the car. To our eyes, it's far from ugly, but it isn't exactly beautiful or funky, either. And the paint palette is uninspiring, to say the least.
Interior
When it was first launched, the Tivoli's cabin was more than a little on the cheap side, but things have improved slightly in recent years. The new cabin design is much more modern, with screens and chrome-effect trim, but it's still a bit cheap. Some of the plastics are quite naff, and though most feel pretty robust, they aren't necessarily what you'd call 'premium'. In fact, nothing about the Tivoli's cabin is especially upmarket, from the materials to the tech.
Admittedly, KGM has popped a digital instrument display in there, which makes things feel a little more modern, but the touchscreen tech feels a bit archaic and the instrument cluster doesn't offer that much in the way of customisation and features. That said, it's all easy enough to use most of the time, and the inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto tech means you can always revert to the smartphone software for a bit more modernity.
Practicality
The Tivoli is a compact SUV, so expecting it to be cavernous inside would be optimistic in the extreme. However, it is quite a spacious thing, thanks to a 423-litre boot that's big enough to contend with the likes of the Seat Arona and VW T-Cross, even if it isn't quite big enough to beat them outright. And there's enough room for two adults to sit in the back, with adequate head- and legroom, although the seats themselves aren't especially comfortable.
Performance
No matter which Tivoli you choose, you get the same 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is fairly powerful for something of this size. With 163hp, even the basic Tivoli is more powerful than the most potent VW T-Cross, and it's offered with a choice of six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes. We tried the automatic, which felt a little clunky at times, but it provided adequate acceleration and there's more than enough punch to keep up with traffic.
That's all there is for good news, though. Refinement is a slight issue, with quite a noisy drone at higher revolutions, but the bigger problem is fuel economy. Officially, the car will manage about 36mpg with the automatic transmission, but you'll struggle to achieve that in the real world. Somewhere between 30 and 35mpg is more realistic, but that's a bit disappointing when a 1.0-litre T-Cross will manage the best part of 50mpg.
Ride & Handling
Although it isn't available with all-wheel drive, the Tivoli still feels a bit agricultural. The steering is heavy, but lacking in feel, so you sort of guess how much steering lock is needed in any given situation, while the suspension feels firm without necessarily providing a lot of body control. The car still leans in the bends.
But the bigger issue is the ride comfort, which is far from ideal. The stiff springs seem to magnify the bumps, rather than soaking them up, particularly at lower speeds. Things improve a bit at higher speeds, but really broken surfaces can unsettle the car a little, causing a shimmy through the chassis and steering, and completely undermining any confidence in its capabilities.
Value
With prices starting at £23,050 for the manual Tivoli, and rising to £24,550 for the automatic, the KGM is pretty much on a par with other compact SUVs. However, when every model comes with two-zone climate control, heated seats and leather upholstery, as well as a reversing camera, parking sensors at the front and rear, and 18-inch alloy wheels, it looks like impressive value for money. A nine-inch touchscreen navigation system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also standard, along with a digital instrument display and a heated steering wheel round out a strong equipment list, and it all costs less than the cheapest VW T-Cross. The appeal is undeniable.
Verdict
The Tivoli has long been a more appealing proposition than the Suzuki Vitara, with which it competes most closely, but with the arrival of a new Citroen C3 and a new Dacia Duster on the way, it has lost its edge slightly. Despite the new look inside and out, it's feeling old, and the decision to go for a single high-specification trim level has made the price feel steep, even though the value is still strong. For those replacing an old Tivoli, the new model is an improvement, but for those looking in from elsewhere, it doesn't quite have the pulling power it once did.
