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SsangYong Rexton - luxury as standard
Road Test
by Mark Slack
IT may be an unfamiliar name but SsangYong has been producing vehicles since 1954. The company currently has a three model line up the Tivoli, Korando and Rexton plus the Musso pickup range.
It’s the large Rexton SUV that’s the focus of our road test this time. There are three versions, the Ventura, Ultimate and Ultimate Plus, with the leadin version priced from €44,698/£38,745. All use a four cylinder 2.2 litre diesel power unit mated to an eight speed automatic gearbox and selectable four wheel drive with low ratio.
The standard equipment list is very generous even on the lower specification model. Across the range you get a heated steering wheel, powered front seats, third row seating, front and rear heated seats and the front are also ventilated, cruise control, auto dimming rear view mirror, auto lights and wipers, LED lights front and rear, powered, heated and folding door mirrors, keyless entry and start, front and parking sensors plus camera, dual zone climate control even for the rearmost seating, navigation and of course Bluetooth with Car Play and Android Auto connec tivity. Phew!
To say the Rexton is large is somewhat of an understatement. With seven seats it’s not only a genuine family holdall but a capable offroader too. Fold down both rear rows of seats and you have the carrying capacity of a small van, albeit a very luxuriously appointed one.
On the road the Rexton’s slightly oldtech 2.2litre diesel isn’t the most refined unit, particularly under hard acceleration, but nonetheless has a decent amount of punch and returns decent fuel economy.
If you found the roughest road surface possible I really don’t think it would upset the Rexton’s interior comfort, such is the suppleness of the ride. No ve hicle of this size is designed for pinpoint handling and twisting roads do highlight some body roll if you’re too exuberant.
The build quality is excellent and it has a premium feel throughout with sensible controls and buttons as opposed to the increasing trend of over digitalisation. Styling is very subjective and it’s fair to say the Rexton is distinctive, that overly large grille certainly won’t be to ev eryone’s taste.
At its price the Rexton is tremendous value, but residuals will not be to the level of more established badges. Having already driven the excellent Korando, SsangYong’s smaller SUV, the Rexton is a similarly impressive story. Even bearing in mind the residuals, don’t let the relatively unknown badge put you off investigating the range more thoroughly.
