By Ian Strachan.
The first thing you notice about the SsangYong Rexton is just how big it. This big,muscled 4×4 is huge, with a high front end, a purposeful road stance and big sidesteps.
The SsangYong Rexton probably isn’t the obvious choice for people looking for a versatile four wheel drive SUV. But it deserves to be on choice lists. The Rexton is versatile, well-equipped and bristling with technology. And it’s good value and has won awards for the best-value large 4×4.
The 2.2 litre diesel-powered Rexton Ultimate which I tested comes in at a shade over £40,000, which is about half the price of its more vaunted competitors.
The Rexton is innovative, easy on the eye, exceptionally well-equipped, handles like a dream, has good off-road ability. This vehicle can mix it with the big guys and their well-established SUVs.
Despite its price, the Korean-built Rexton has high build quality, good interior trim materials and a high specification, not to mention a very roomy interior and great load-carrying capacity. It’s also a first-class towing vehicle.
The Rexton has a quality feel to it inside and out. And it is certainly a good looker. It has a strong side-on presence, with a high waist and neatly sculpted side panels. Handsome alloys add to its side-on style.
Inside the car has a lot of class about it. My test vehicle had premium leather upholstery of a surprisingly high quality. The dash is simple and attractive, with a central touchscreen satellite navigation system which also controls the DAB radio and media system, with USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth, with steering wheel mounted controls.
Interior space is very good at 649 litres of cargo space. This can be further improved to a 1,806 litres with the folding split rear seat down. Interior specification on the Ultimate includes panoramic sunroof, front and rear parking sensors with camera, automatic air conditioning, electronic cruise control, powered, heated and ventilated front seats, and that option we never knew we wanted but now can’t do without – the heated steering wheel.
Other standard features include all-round electric windows, powered tailgate, all-round airbags, LED front fog lights and projection automatic high-beam headlights, electrically adjustable folding heated door mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, light and rain sensors and electronic parking brake with hill-hold. You also get a host of driver assistance and safety features including autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, lane keeping assist and safety distance alert.
I drove the 2.2 litre turbo-charged diesel-powered Ultimate which gives out a more than adequate 202 bhp. Linked to a smooth eight-speed automatic gearbox, this is a very good unit, offering plenty of power with little fuss. Acceleration is pleasingly brisk for a vehicle of this size.
Fuel consumption of 34 mpg in mixed driving is just about respectable for a substantial all wheel drive vehicle.
My test vehicle came with a tow-bar, making this an ideal caravanning vehicle. On the road price for this specification is £40,665 . That is extremely competitive for such a high specification, and you get a lot of car for your money.
It’s difficult to fault this offering from SsangYong. It’s a an impressive vehicle with a very keen price representing excellent value for money.
