The Ssangyong Korando is a compact SUV that offers more space and equipment than many similar cars – for a lower price. It’s particularly good for towing heavy trailers or caravans as many models have a 2,000kg capacity, which is rare in cars of this size. It’s practical, comfortable and extremely reliable – a great choice if you want maximum value for money.
The current Korando has been sold new since 2019, replacing a version sold from 2011 to 2019. It looks very different to the older version, has a new interior, new engines, more interior space and more up-to-date features.
Both versions of the Korando are available with a petrol or a diesel engine. Some models have an automatic gearbox; some have four-wheel drive. The older diesel engines have more power than those in the newer diesel but all models give you decent acceleration when you need to get up to speed quickly.
There are a number of trim levels to choose from. On the current car, they’re called ELX, Ventura, Pioneer and Ultimate.
Ssangyong always loads its cars with a lot of standard features. On older models, these include sat nav, climate control, cruise control, parking sensors and leather seats.
The current Korando ELX has air con, cruise control, Bluetooth and DAB radio. Higher spec models get a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a rear-view camera. The top-spec Ultimate adds a digital driver's display and leather seats.
Older Korando models can give up to 37mpg with a petrol engine and 35-43mpg with a diesel, according to official figures. The current version of the Korando also gives around 37mpg with a petrol engine and 41-46mpg with a diesel. Those numbers are quite low for a compact SUV and translate to a higher road tax bill. However, those increased costs are offset by the Korando’s lower purchase price and more cost-effective insurance groupings.
Other compact SUVs include the Nissan Qashqai, Ford Kuga and Skoda Karoq. The Korando doesn’t feel as sophisticated to drive and its interior isn’t as well finished as in some of its rivals, but its combination of generous space, loads of equipment as standard, and strong value hold a lot of appeal.
Both versions of the Korando give you a lot of space in both the front and back seats. Headroom is particularly generous. You and your passengers get a great view out through big windows, too, which is especially good for kids because it can help reduce car sickness. The boot of the current car will hold a few more shopping bags than the older version. While other cars of this type have bigger boots, the Korando should cover most people’s needs whether it’s space for that long holiday’s luggage or the family’s labrador.
The Korando sits in the middle of Ssangyong’s SUV range, between the smaller Tivoli and the bigger Rexton. Other Ssangyong models include the Turismo MPV and Musso pickup truck.
The older version of the Korando wasn’t assessed by safety organisation Euro NCAP but it has six airbags and a number of driver-safety features including stability control, so it is likely to provide a good level of safety. The current Korando scored a full five-star Euro NCAP rating and comes with a long list of safety features including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist and traffic-sign recognition.
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