Once seen as cheap and nasty alternatives to their Japanese counterparts, Korean cars have now been widely accepted by Australians. Should you consider this returned from the grave challenger, though?
When it comes to Korean cars, there's no doubt they've now matched, and on some numbers, surpassed their Japanese rivals.
Once seen as cheap and nasty alternatives, Hyundai and Kia have well and truly entered the mainstream and are widely accepted by Australian buyers.
We know that story though, which is why this time we're looking at a different one. It's a name from the past that hopes to reignite some of that Korean success... SsangYong.
After a less than ideal start for the brand during the '90s, where its design and quality couldn't quite match the standards of even its Korean rivals, it's back, bigger and better than before.
Can its latest model, the Korando mid-size SUV, be the car that changes Australia's mind on the brand?
Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
Like most SsangYongs the Korando isn't going to be for everyone. It still looks a bit weird. To say the brand's catalogue is still 'controversially' styled is an understatement.
The problem isn't so much up front, where the Korando has a tough ,muscular stance, accentuated by its angular grille and light fittings.
Nor is it in the side profile, where the Korando has a VW-esque beltline running down its doors, to a tough looking bump over the rear wheelarches.
It still looks a bit weird. To say the brand's catalogue is still 'controversially' styled is an understatement. (image: Tom White)
The Korando has a VW-esque beltline running down its doors, to a tough looking bump over the rear wheelarches. (image: Tom White)
It's around the back where SsangYong will potentially lose the sell. (image: Tom White)
No, it's around the back where SsangYong will potentially lose the sell. It's like the rear-end was designed by a completely different team. One which couldn't put down the pen, adding line upon contour, upon detail to the bootlid. Sometimes less truly is more.
Still, I'm a fan of its LED light clusters and little spoiler jutting out. The whole package is still one of the most resolved and pleasant looking in SsangYong's line-up.
Inside things have been taken up a notch by the Korean manufacturer. The Korando has a consistent design language, with a slotted feature panel running across the top, matching door cards (which the design runs into), and a significant upgrade in materials from previous models.
I love how unapologetically foreign the whole thing feels. There's not a single piece of switchgear in the interior that is shared with other cars on the road.
Inside things have been taken up a notch by the Korean manufacturer. (image: Tom White)
While the design of the Korando ELX is quite nice, there are some materials in there that somewhat unnecessarily date the interior. (image: Tom White)
I also love the chunky wheel, bizarre function stalks with big dials on them, diamond-patterned adjustment knobs for the air-con and multimedia system, and the awesome seats which are clad in a strange grey swimsuit material.
It's wonderfully weird, and definitely set apart from many of its competitors. It's also super well built, with uniform shutlines and solid construction. We didn't hear so much as a creak out of the cabin during our test.
While the design is quite nice, there are some materials in there that somewhat unnecessarily date the interior.
It's probably a design disconnect between what's desirable in Korea and what's desirable in our market. Piano black filler panel overkill, for example, just doesn't cut it, and the dash looks a tad old-school with its dials and dot matrix display. The higher-spec Ultimate addresses this with a digital dash cluster.
Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 8/10
SsangYong is here to play when it comes to its car's value offering. The Korando ELX is the mid-spec model, wearing an MSRP of $30,990. That's around the price of entry-level variants of its main rivals, and it comes packed with an unprecedented level of equipment, too.
Included features are 18-inch alloys, an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, halogen headlights, dot-matrix display in the instrument binnacle, rain-sensing wipers, heated auto-folding wing-mirrors, as well as push-start and keyless entry.
Included features are 18-inch alloys. (image: Tom White)
You'll net even more equipment on the Ultimate. Things like leather interior trim, a digital dash cluster, sunroof, LED headlights, and a powered tailgate. Still the ELX is excellent value, even without those items.
Thankfully, it also gains the full suite of active safety inclusions. More on that in the safety section of this review. Value is also recouped in the ownership and engine categories, so it's worth referring to those, too.
Notable large rivals fall short on the equipment contest at this price, while the Qashqai and Mitsubishi can't compete on the warranty front either, making the Korando a superb offering at this price.
The only option available on the ELX is premium paint. The 'Cherry Red' shade worn by this car will set you back an additional $495.
It comes with an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. (image: Tom White)
How practical is the space inside? 8/10
Despite its smaller visage than many mid-size rivals, the Korando has brilliant packaging that gives it competitive interior space.
The entire cabin is a big airy space thanks to the large window apertures, and front passengers benefit from big storage bins in the doors, as well as large cupholders in the doors and centre console.
The boot is massive, too, at 550 litres (VDA). (image: Tom White)
That’s larger than a lot of fully fledged mid-size SUVs, but there’s a catch. (image: Tom White)
There's a small binnacle under the air con controls that's suitable for slotting a phone into, but won't fit anything else. There's also a small armrest console with no amenities inside, and a decently-sized glove box.
Connectivity-wise, there's a 12-volt power outlet and a single USB port. The seats are comfortable with the odd swimsuit-style trim. Dials for everything is a big plus, and once you're used to the weird turnstiles embedded in the control stalks, they're handy, too.
The back seat offers massive amounts of legroom. Much more than I expected and is on par, if not even larger than, the Sportage I had on test the week before. The seats are comfy and recline in two stages.
The back seat offers massive amounts of legroom. (image: Tom White)
Rear occupants get pockets on the back of the front seats, a small bottle holder in the doors and a 12-volt outlet. There are no USB ports or directional air-vents, which is a real let-down.
The boot is massive, too, at 550 litres (VDA). That's larger than a lot of fully fledged mid-size SUVs, but there's a catch. The Korando has no spare wheel, just an inflator kit, and to top it off the finish of the boot is a bit basic.
What are the key stats for the engine and transmission? 8/10
Unlike many of its entry-level competitors, the SsangYong delivers under the hood with a small capacity turbocharged engine that's far better than the outdated 2.0-litre options most used by the competition.
It's a 1.5-litre engine producing 120kW/280Nm. That's more than enough in this size bracket and outclasses both the turbo Eclipse Cross (110kW/250Nm) and non-turbo Qashqai (106kW/200Nm).
The SsangYong delivers under the hood with a small capacity turbocharged engine that’s far better than the outdated 2.0-litre options most used by the competition. (image: Tom White)
How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
In this particular layout, claimed combined cycle fuel consumption for the Korando is 7.7L/100km. This sounds about right for a turbo engine, but our week of testing produced a result of 10.1L/100km, and we did spend a little while on the freeway to help balance the result.
The Korando requires a minimum of 95 RON premium unleaded petrol to fill its 47 litre tank.
What's it like to drive? 8/10
SsangYong isn't exactly a brand known for its drive experience, but that impression should change once you hop behind the wheel of this new Korando.
It's by far the best drive experience the brand has conjured up thus far, with its turbo engine proving punchy, responsive, and even quiet under load.
The torque converter auto is predictable and linear, although occasionally jerks a small amount when shifting down. Still miles better than a CVT, though.
The steering is an odd one. It is incredibly light. This is great for maneuvering around tight city streets and performing reverse parks, but can be unsettling at higher speeds.
The Korando might not be for everyone, with its strong Korean personality and zany styling. (image: Tom White)
It does seem to give you some feedback over bumps and corners though, which is a refreshing reminder that it's not totally lifeless.
The suspension is mostly great. It has an odd characteristic of being fiddly, overactive and sudden over smaller bumps, but deals with the larger stuff incredibly well.
It sails over potholes and even speed bumps, making for a mostly comfortable ride on the worst urban roads we could throw at it.
This is especially impressive given that the Korando doesn't have a localized suspension tune.
It's good in the corners, too, and the whole package feels light and springy giving it an engaging, hatch-like feel.
Warranty & Safety Rating
Basic Warranty
7 years / unlimited km
warranty
ANCAP Safety Rating
What safety equipment is fitted? What safety rating? 8/10
It's a great suite, especially at this price, with the only major omission being active cruise control which comes standard on the top-spec Ultimate version.
The only thing we'd love to see here is a spare wheel for long-distance drivers.
What does it cost to own? What warranty is offered? 9/10
SsangYong indicates that it's here to play with what it calls the '777' warranty, which means a seven year/unlimited kilometre warranty, seven years of roadside assist, and seven years of capped price servicing.
Every model in SsangYong's range has a service interval of 12 months/15,000km, whichever occurs first.
The services are incredibly well priced, too. They are fixed for just $295 for each visit over the seven-year period.
There's a long list of extras, although SsangYong is entirely transparent about which ones will be required and when. Not only that, the brand breaks down each cost by part and labor charge to give you peace of mind that you're not being ripped off. Excellent.
Verdict
The Korando might not be for everyone, with its strong Korean personality and zany styling, but those willing to take a chance on something a little different will be rewarded with excellent value and a great drive experience.
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
