2021 SsangYong Korando Ultimate FWD review

There’s nothing like an apparent bargain to make me sceptical. Case in point, the SsangYong Korando medium SUV, whose range-topping Ultimate variant brings a leather interior, heaps of kit and a punchy 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine for under $38K drive-away, which is about the same as the entry-level Toyota RAV4 GX.

And it looks good, something we haven’t always been able to say about SsangYong models – Google ‘2004 SsangYong Stavic’ (#nsfw).

So, like me, you’re probably wondering what the catch is.

What is the SsangYong Korando Ultimate like to live with?

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The Korando comes in three spec levels, all with fixed drive-away pricing. These include the EX priced at $29,990, the well-equipped mid-spec EXL for $32,990 and this Ultimate range-topper for $37,990.

All three are front-wheel-drive and powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, though you can also get this Ultimate spec with a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel with all-wheel drive for $39,990.

The Ultimate’s features list oozes showroom appeal with heated and ventilated power-adjustable leather front seats, heated leather steering wheel, 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, sunroof, powered tailgate, dual-zone climate control, smart keyless entry, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and 19-inch alloy wheels.

But it does miss out on some things you’d expect to find in a top-spec variant such as in-built satellite navigation, digital radio, rear USB sockets and air vents, and soft-touch door trims, no doubt absent to keep costs down.

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The interior is a bit of a mixed bag too, with stitched leather, plenty of bright spots and piano black surfaces, but hard plastic door trims that rob it of a premium feel. The top of the dashboard is soft to touch, however, with the glossy fascia housing the 8.0-inch touchscreen that hosts Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability via a sole USB socket.

The centre armrest is at a good height and opens to a handy deep storage tub, which is complemented by huge door bins and a roomy glovebox, as well as a spot to place your phone and plug it in.

Both leather front seats are power-adjustable and can be cooled or heated. I like the way the backrests feel and they offer good side bolstering, but the cushions aren’t that deep and lack decent under-thigh support.

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For all the Korando Ultimate’s features, things are a little spartan down back with amenities confined to a fold-down centre arm-rest with cupholders, a 12V socket and map pockets. But the rear pew comfortably seats two adults or three kids, with plenty of leg and headroom and a backrest that’s well-angled for a relaxed ride.

The Korando’s boot can hold up to 551 litres if you’re happy with a puncture repair kit. Opting for a full-size alloy spare wheel reduces the capacity to 407 litres, which is well below average for a medium SUV. Folding the second-row seats down brings it up to 1104 litres.

The interior is a bit of a mixed bag too, with stitched leather, plenty of bright spots and piano black surfaces but hard plastic door trims rob it of a premium feel

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Official combined fuel economy is an ambitious 7.7/100km – try as I might I could only average 9.3L/100km. It drinks pricier 95 RON petrol, though the good news (if you can call it that) is you only have a smallish 47-litre fuel tank to fill, which will get you about 500km.

The SsangYong Korando comes with a very affordable service regime under the brand’s 777 Care Cover that includes a seven-year warranty, seven-year roadside assistance cover and seven-year capped-price servicing plan.

Like all SsangYongs, it has a 15,000km/12-month servicing schedule. Maintaining the petrol Korando costs just $295 for each interval, including oil and oil filter changes. As with most brands you pay extra for parts when required, and SsangYong provides up-front pricing for different parts.

What is the SsangYong Korando Ultimate like to drive?

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Drive off and there is a slight hesitation from the 120kW/280Nm 1.5-litre turbo engine, but when it kicks in it feels vibrant and makes for a surprisingly enjoyable drive.

The Aisin-built six-speed torque converter automatic shifts smoothly and has a Sport mode that adjusts the rev mapping to break through the turbo lag quicker. It also has a Winter/Snow driving mode that utilises second-gear to maintain traction when taking off on slippery surfaces. If you prefer more traction, you can opt for a 1.6-litre turbodiesel powertrain with all-wheel drive for an additional $2000.

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The Korando’s ride is comfortable around town, with independent multi-link rear suspension, and soft dampers that soak up the impact of larger bumps. Things can get a little busy on minor imperfections though, particularly on country roads where it can feel a little bouncy through turns, which causes you to ease off a little.

There are no such problems in town, where the light steering and 10.7-metre turning circle makes parking and negotiating tight streets a doddle.

All in all, the Korando offers a cheerful driving experience, which is something we don’t always say about medium SUVs, including some of the more popular models.

What about safety in the SsangYong Korando Ultimate?

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The Korando’s safety credentials include a 2019 five-star ANCAP rating carried over from the previous model and a decent amount of tech including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, high-beam assist and a reversing camera, which come standard across the range.

More features are added as you step up the Korando range, the Ultimate having the lot including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and seven airbags including one protecting the driver’s knees.

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VERDICT

There was a time when buying a well-equipped car for a budget came at the expense of quality and performance. That’s certainly not the case with the cheap and cheerful SsangYong Korando Ultimate, which brings a decent driving experience and plenty of desirable creature comforts.

While there are some notable omissions from the features list, it doesn’t skimp on the important stuff such as active safety, build quality and a decent turbocharged powertrain.

2021 SsangYong Korando Ultimate FWD specifications