YOU MAY HAVE READ our review of the new SsangYong models by Ian Crawford and he was mightily impressed. http://www.seniordriveraus.com/ssangyong-makes-a-comeback-ian-crawford-reviews-the-new-range-and-comes-away-impressed/ .
Well, it seems he wasn’t the only one.
The underdog Korean manufacturer looks like selling more than 3000 new vehicles on the Australian market in 2019, and as predicted, the dealer network is also growing strongly. The C-segment SUV Korando is expected to be the best-selling model, accounting for at least 1000 of local SsangYong sales – it will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show and released in Australia in Q3 this year.
You don’t have to look far to see why the future is bright for SsangYong.
Adopting a seven-year/unlimited kilometer warranty reassures buyers who may be suspicious of a brand that, let’s be frank, has had a chequered history locally and isn’t particularly well-known. Adding to the appeal, as Ian Crawford said in his earlier review, the product itself is convincing and, thanks to Italian design studio Pininfarina, stylish. It showcases sharp pricing, includes plenty of standard features as well as a strong seven-year roadside assist and a seven-year service pricing deal (details below).
While the current model range is four, there are plans in the pipeline for more. Like many manufacturers, electric vehicles feature strongly, including the next-generation Korando and Tivoli SUVs. There’s also a monocoque large SUV in the plans, and all should become available in Australia over the next few years. Tivoli powertrains will undergo an update later this year. The fifth-generation petrol- and diesel-engined Korando should arrive in August, taking on the popular Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. An all-electric model is slated for release in Korea in 2020 (look for it at the Paris Motor Show). Perhaps the biggest surprise for the all-electric Korando, apart from its 400km range will be its braked towing capacity allowing it to haul a caravan.
Meanwhile, the first-generation Tivoli will also get a facelift and two new turbo-petrol engines, a 1.2-litre three-cylinder and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder, plus a revised 1.6-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder.
The planned large monocoque SUV will get seven-seats and be produced on a new platform with production predicted in 2021.
SSANGYONG SERVICE PRICE MENU
One strong selling feature for SsangYong is an excellent servicing price schedule. All SsangYong models specify 12-month servicing, or 15,000km intervals. Services for the Musso and Rexton Diesel are $375 up to 84 months or 105,000km. The Rexton petrol is a little cheaper at $335 per service, the Tivoli Diesel is $322, Tivoli Petrol $290 and Tivoli XLV $322.
Not only are those competitive prices, as we’ve said before about fixed or capped priced servicing, you know exactly what you’ll be up for with your new vehicle for, in this case, the next seven years.
For anyone, that provides superb peace of mind, especially over-50s on a limited or fixed budget.
We have an interesting couple of years coming up.