SsangYong Korando 2020 review: Ultimate

Like with most new models, there is plenty to take in here, with an array of interesting exterior design cues that might not be to everyone’s taste. It is a solid-looking unit with a wide muscular front-end, a reasonably high roof line and a slightly odd-looking rear-end.

The Korando's rear-end is slightly odd-looking.

The side profile has plenty going on, too, with crease lines running in various directions and the door handles positioned at different heights. The large wheel arches house a nice set of 19-inch alloys, which do lend a touch of premium to the overall look. 

Inside, the fit and finish of the cabin is rather simple, with monotone dark grey used throughout and a mixture of hard plastics. You can see SsangYong has attempted to convey a premium look and feel, but it hasn't quite been pulled off, with the buttons and switchgear having a cheaper feel to them.   

The cabin's fit and finish is rather simple.

While the Korando looks big for a medium-sized SUV, it’s actually shorter than its key competitors, the Hyundai Tucson and the Kia Sportage. It nevertheless has a generous 551 litres of cargo capacity, a good deal larger than both the Tucson and Sportage, in part thanks to a low boot floor. The trade-off for this extra space, however, is no spare wheel, or even a space-saver.

Boot space is rated at 551 litres.

Storage includes two cup holders upfront, and a deep centre-console bin with a tray in the back of it for the second-row passengers. My kids in the back had access to two cup-holders in the fold-down middle armrest and map pockets behind the front seats.

Head- and legroom in the front and back seats was ample (I’m 180cm), with a hand-width of space available when sitting behind my driving position.

It’s easy to operate around the suburbs, with front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera to navigate tight spaces. There’s good visibility from the driving position, too.    

Creature comforts are not exactly plentiful, with the kids in the back accompanied by only a single 12V power outlet, with no air-con vents or USB ports to plug into. The single USB port upfront became a sticking point with four phones to charge.

Creature comforts are few and far between with rear seat passengers getting a single 12V power outlet.

Impressively, the SsangYong Korando was given the maximum five-star ANCAP rating when tested in 2019. In addition to seven air bags it comes with plenty of safety tech including AEB, lane-keeping assistant and lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assistance and adaptive cruise control.

For parents using booster seats or capsules, there are three top-tether points and two ISOFIX mounts across the back row.

The Korando Ultimate is the top of the range and comes with a list price of $36,990. There’s a decent list of standard equipment for your money including leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, heated steering wheel, power tailgate, rear privacy glass, proximity key, puddle lamps, sun roof, auto folding mirrors and 19-inch alloys.

The Ultimate wears 19-inch alloy wheels.

It’s worth calling out here that the Korando is covered by SsangYong’s seriously impressive seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.