Do Bad New Cars Still Exist? The SsangYong Korando Ultimate Reviewed

In today's video, I drive the current SsangYong Korando, and see whether Korea's "other" car brand has seen the same seismic shift in quality as KIA and Hyundai in the last decade.

#Ssangyong #Rexton #CheapSUV

Chapters
0:00 Introduction
3:00 Exterior and Specs
5:15 Interior
7:34 Engine
9:21 Walkaround Continues
11:32 The Drive
18:35 Conclusion

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[JayEmmOnCars]

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[poached_egg_on_cars]

I used to work at a Ssangyong dealership in Witham, Essex before they pulled out of the dealership and moved to Chelmsford. They weren't bad cars, but reminded me of a car you'd see in GTA you'd only steal if the police were on your tail and it's the only car within reach.

[gaffnaldo]

It's a bad day for us all when 30k is considered cheap.

[racesuey]

If you know Ssyangyong's history, you can see why they feel a generation behind. It's quite sad history honestly and reminds me of British Auto industry. After East Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, the company changed ownership a couple of times and ultimately was purchased by SAIC, a Chinese firm, they used Ssangyong's engineering to built SAIC's own model lineup in China and effectively ignored Ssangyong's lineup in Korea and aboard. The company of course failed to compete against Hyundai/Kia at this stage as most of the company's, engineering strength was used to develop SAIC. In 08' with economic crisis, SAIC decided to sell Ssangyong and decided to lay off almost 3000 workers. This resulted in one of the most catastrophic protests in Korean history that involved Ssangyong workers fighting to their death by sieging inside the factory. Ultimately, the Indian company, Mahindra purchased Ssangyong and injected cash to create new vehicles that would be sold both as Ssangyong and Mahindra. And this new Korando is one of the first products after the company was normalized. It feels a generation behind because it kinda is based on the car that was planned a generation ago. But, Ssangyong also can utilize Hyundai-Kia suppliers back in Korea and that really helped them to obtain a lot of newer tech at least in the infotaiment/option side despite having older powertrain tech. In Korea, this car is considered great value options to housewives who want bigger SUVs but are price conscious.

However, with Covid-19, Mahindra was faced some financial challenges and went back into court-receivership. Now it was sold off to Korean conglomerate KG. KG is conglomerate that specialized in chemical and steel industry so I'm hopeful that Ssangyong might turn around. They just launched new product back in Korea called Ssangyong Torres which honestly feels so close to other cheap SUVs from Hyundai, Ford and Honda other than outdated powertrain tech.

I think Ssangyong's biggest strength is that they have Hyundai/KIa suppliers back in Korea. This helps them to get some of the Korean car's biggest strengths, which is features and options. (Not to mention LG and Samsung which is one of the biggest suppliers for high tech options for Germans) They also have Mercedes-backed frame-body/RWD platform (as Mercedes almost purchased them back in the 90s) with their Musso pickup and new Rexton. These are honestly decent as a cheap frame body vehicle - only issue being Ssangyong not really having powertrain technology to put in the big vehicle.

It's great to see that James giving fair and decent review to this Ssangyong. As a car enthusiasts, I kinda despise their CUVs (or any CUVs for that matter) but I really wish them the best and hopefully they can create more enthusiasts level body on frame vehicles after making money with these!

[williamdrijver]

Engine still has a reliable oil dipstick. 100 x better than what many "premium" brands offer: sensors to measure the oil level.

[MikeBanks]

I have a SSangyong, it is a Kyron, and it is one of the best cars I have ever owned and I still own it. It is thrifty on diesel, and has had no further problems with it in ten years of use.

[danielpope]

I rented a diesel AWD Korando in Iceland and it was actually quite good in that setting. I liked it

[gerardbooth]

'Buy an estate. They're just better'. Spot on James.

[cbrown]

My dad had a 2017 korondo from new until last year. The interior and exterior was very boring, but he liked it as it was cheap, economical, had all the gadgets and it pulled the caravan no problem with 4wd. The cheapness did tell after a few years as it had some issues with suspension springs snapping and belt tensions wearing out, but it was all fixed under warranty. He ended up getting a Kia Sportage after and he much preferred everything about the korondo other than the styling.

[paulg]

Many years ago, when I first started out in the motor industry, I worked for a dealership who held a franchise with International Motors, the official importer for several Japanese and Korean manufacturers (these being Subaru, Isuzu and Ssangyong). I recall the dealership held an "offroad day" (they also had Land Rover in group) and took a couple of these imported cars. An Isuzu Trooper 3.1 Citation, an Impreza 2.0 estate, a Subaru Legacy and a pair of Ssangyong Musso 2.9TD. Both Ssangyong (which I seem to recall translates as "Twin Dragons") had to be trailered back with drivetrain failure. Nothing else broke, not even the Land Rover Discovery the other branch brought. I'm genuinely surprised they've survived in the UK this long, where other better marques like Saab and Lancia have failed. The sales brochure made much of the design being done by, Ken Greenley, the same chap who designed the Bentley Azure, but in reality, this was very far from his finest work. In summary, a terrible old box of bolts that only the deliberately and belligerently contrary seemed to want to drive, which consequently leads to just exactly the kind of frustrating encounter you'd expect with the owner.

[davidwoolley]

Had 2 korandos now both new cars from a 2015 se4 and a 2018 elx models primary for towing now moved up to a 22 plate Rexton not had any trouble with any, great 4x4 with good specific. The Rexton 8 speeds autos one of the comfiest cars I've driven and been a passenger in. My local dealers have been great with nothing been to much trouble and always happy to answer any questions I have .i tow a 1700jg twin axle with ease and stability it A+ from me.

[j.undefined]

As someone who works with Ssangyongs in the South East of the UK, Korandos are very similar in feel, fit and finish to a Hyundai. Though I've had more warranty issues with Ssangyongs.

[aslkbgh]

Own a 2005 Rextron for about a Decade now, done about 450K KM on it. really reliable in terms of gearbox and engine, only required basic maintanace, special notes on expensive diesel injectors and turbo, overall I love that off-roader

[paulyflyer]

The biggest surprise in this video for me was the first few minutes when you told us the price...21k to 30k. It's still a lot of money to part with, and I can't imagine anyone doing that when they can get an alternative used premium brand a few years old. For this reason I think it'll fail to sell and 2nd hand ones will be rare.

[pholland]

I purchased a korando in 2010, it had a 2L turbo diesel. Loved that car. Owned it for 10 years without any issues. Would have liked to buy another but the company status was too risky to buy the new rexton, try that one.

[progste]

I'd say 99% of new cars on the market are "bad", it depends on the point of view.
Most hybrid and electric cars will be scrap in 10 years.

[PGTriumph]

We have a 22 plate 1.6d Korando Ultimate and althjough I think your review is fair, we are really happy with it so far. Since last June we have done around 3k miles and not had a single issue. We part exchanged a 2016 1.6 Xtrail while it had value in it and before bits srarted to fail. The Korando though - it's unfortunate you had the petrol version because the economy is much worse than the diesel, something held up bu the enthusiastic Facebook groups. We get around 30mpg round town and on a run bewteen 38 - 40 - not close to the Xtrail but we didn't expect that. We took 2 people to the airport with 2 full sized cases and all that was needed was to take out the load cover, Leg room for the passengers is terrific with one of them being 6'4".
Seats are comfortable, driving position is good with everything in the right place and controls good. Media system is good with Android auto for music and the choice of Nav systems like Waze although there's nothing wrong with the installed nav choice. One small gripe is that you need a USB lead for Android Auto when otherwise the phone connects by Bluetooth for calls.
Maybe a bit early to give a full review but so far we're happy both for everyday use and for longer runs where it's very comfortable. You get a lot for your money so no regrets so far. Haven't noticed the flexy bonnet either!!!
As a foot-note and because of the start of your video, the Korando is used by my wife as her daily because I have - wait for it - a Ssangying Rexton and it's a 2012 model the same as the one you slated and I love it. It's the 2.7 Merc engine and gearbox which I've owned for around 9 months and I bought it to replace the most boring car I've ever owned - a Volvo XC90 which only lasred 3 months. The Rexton is my workhorse for work carrying tools and generally running me around and will also be used to tow our caravan. Starts with no fuss, comfortable to drive with a solid feel to it and again no issues with the bonnet - I do wonder what you do to them and can't fathom why anyone would want to climb on a bonnet in the first place!! Not a pretty car, but it's functional and it does stand out even if that is on it's own with a huge boot and class leading towing capacity.
Keep up the good reviews, hope this wasn't too much of a

[kustu]

You should review the new Rexton. It's actually really good value for the money.

[fwamsterdam]

I have a 2006 Korando TDI Cabrio. An amazing car that I bought for 6, 000 Euro as temporary transport solution after my Jeep JK blew up (literally exploded) Now, 13 years and about 100, 000 Kms further and it remains to be a dependable partner for the house, garden and guests in our house in Ibiza. I just bought a 2024 Korando E-Motion. Totally different, but confidence in the brand and local SsangYong service shop, Cruz Motors, made the difference. Alerrnative was Kia or Mazda, but at a much higher price point.

[robertharris]

Back in 2006 we bought a Rexton for the company. It was not a beautiful car, but it did the job. The following Chrysler 300 was horribly expensive to run. Leaving BMW (they do not build the 2 series GT anymore), I'm thinking about this SsangYong now, especially since it is one of the last cars offered with a Diesel.