Overall rating:

No frills motoring is the heart of the SsangYong message. This SX certainly offers plenty of kit and ability, but it's lacking the finesse and finish of its main rivals. If you really can't stretch your budget past £20,000 for a four-wheel drive 2.0-litre diesel then it's a fair choice, but we'd urge you to dig deep if you can.

Key Facts

Model tested: SsangYong Korando SX
Pricing: £18,795
Engine: 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder diesel
Transmission: six-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Body style: five-door SUV
Rivals: Hyundai ix35, Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai
CO₂ emissions: 157g/km
Economy: 45.6mpg
Top speed: 116mph
0-62mph: 9.9 seconds
Power: 151hp at 3,400- to 4,000rpm
Torque: 360Nm at 2,000- to 3,000rpm

In the Metal:

It's actually quite a neat looking thing the Korando; if you need convincing that the Korean company is marching in the right direction then this certainly helps. It's not exciting though, and some of the detailing would benefit from extra refining.

At first glance you'd think the same of the interior, which, while not as distinctive and stylish as that of the Kia or Hyundai alternatives, is attractive enough. The instrument cluster is clutter-free and easy to read, the bag hook off the centre console a neat addition and there's plenty of legroom for rear passengers. The driver's seat could offer more adjustment and the various shades and textures of the plastics used throughout look cheap, as does the digital clock and aftermarket Kenwood stereo. By far the biggest frustration is the self-locking doors though, which require you to manually unlock them before exiting rather than use a simple double-pull of the handle - like everyone else does.

Driving it:

Take a look at the specifications above: peak power arrives at around 3,400- to 4,000rpm and torque between 2,000- and 3,000rpm. If it looks like a narrow power band that's because it is, and on the road the Korando feels very old-school in its power delivery. There's literally no get-up and go below 1,700rpm, and you often find yourself changing down a gear to make decent progress.

There's a slight rattle from the 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit at low revs as well, especially on a trailing throttle. Thankfully it improves as the revs increase, and despite the small window of performance opportunity, acceleration is acceptable. The six-speed gearbox is pleasant enough in its operation as well, with a short, light throw to its action.

There's a little body roll through the bends, but nothing unexpected or unmanageable, and if anything the SsangYong is suspended a little firmly - certainly a Skoda Yeti would flow over rough roads with less protest from the springs. It's not helped by light steering that could offer more feel.

The four-wheel drive system proves useful though, and we were impressed with the way it handled the off-road course. It's worth noting that there's no hill descent control or a low ratio gearbox so the driver has to employ their own skills to get the best from the Korando on the rough stuff.

What you get for your Money:

Value for money is the real reason for even considering a SsangYong, and especially the Korando SX. Sure, it's the closest the firm has come to producing a genuinely competitive small SUV, but it still lacks the polish of its mainstream rivals. However, for a shade over £18,000 you get a 2.0-litre diesel engine with four-wheel drive; expect the same from Hyundai, Kia or Nissan and you'll need at least £21,600.

And if you buy the Korando you'll enjoy a five-year 'limitless mileage' warranty, transferrable between owners, which SsangYong claims contains less small print than the cover offered by its rivals. Depreciation is likely to take a hit though, and while the official economy figure of 45.6mpg looks okay on first glance, rivals claim to be more economical.

Worth Noting

It's well-equipped this Korando SX. Not only does it have four-wheel drive, a five-year warranty and a punchy 2.0-litre diesel engine, but a 'windscreen de-icer' as well. Unlike some rivals with fully heated screens, whose faint element lines can prove distracting, the Korando simply heats up the area around the wipers in their stowed position. So there's no need for them to freeze to the screen and rip the rubber blade apart on first use on a cold day.

Summary

View the Korando as a product rather than an emotional purchase, and it's fine. As a white good it does everything it says on the tin; it has four-wheel drive, a long warranty, plenty of standard equipment, it's economical and good value as well. From that point of view there is little to argue with and for many it will fit the bill perfectly. However, those looking for a car they can enjoy, be proud of and revel in its ability should probably look elsewhere.