REXTON ULTIMATE

For 2021 the Rexton has been given a sharp new look, a plethora of mid-life updates and tech gains to further boost its appeal.

With similar underpinnings to the Musso, the UK’s best value pickup, the Rexton is the deserved winner of many 4x4 awards, and with a 3500kg towing capacity, proper lowbox, a rugged chassis and 7 seats, it’s gained itself an enviable reputation. I haven’t even mentioned SsangYong’s 7 year /150,000 mile warranty yet!

On the road

The suspension has been re-tuned for the new Rexton, and you can certainly tell a difference. Not that the outgoing model was bad, it’s just that this is better, and it feels more at home bumbling around country lanes of dubious quality. Granted, the suspension doesn’t have the same air-sprung waftness that some of its competitors have, but it’s softly sprung, and the 18” alloy wheels are shod with tyres with a decent amount of sidewall which is another reason for the Rexton’s comfortable ride.

Despite its 199bhp 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel, don’t expect the Rexton to be particularly brisk, though, as all models weigh more than two tonnes without passengers, it does its best and pulls strongly.

Sourced from Hyundai, the new eight-speed auto ‘box is an improvement over the old Mercedes-derived seven-speed unit, with smooth changes at any speed. Want to take manual control for towing or off roading? No problem, it’s got flappy paddles, too.

The Rexton can tow 3,500kg and has a Trailer Sway Control system which automatically makes corrections to keep things stable whilst working.

As I mentioned at the beginning, with a rugged ladder chassis and a proper high and low gearbox, the Rexton is very similar to the Musso pickup, so expecting it to have SUV-like road manners is a little unfair. Just something that potential buyers need to be aware of.

During my week with the Rexton it managed around 30mpg, which isn’t that far off official figures of 32.9mpg.

Off road

I was going to say that it’s surprisingly good off the beaten track, but in truth the Rexton has pedigree, so there isn’t really anything ‘surprising’ about it as it has genuine off-road ability.

If I’m going to be critical I’d say it could do with a little more ground clearance as on the odd occasion there’d be some buttock clenching scrapes from the underside. Despite its ability, I had to keep reminding myself that it isn’t a green-laner as such.

With that in mind I didn’t take the Rexton along any gnarly lanes, though it probably found itself further off the beaten track than most owners would dare to venture.

Interior

I appreciate the effort that SsangYong have gone to to make the Rexton a nice place to while away the hours.

The front seats are comfortable with the drivers seat having as standard eight-way electric adjustments with lumbar support and height control. All models have a leather-wrapped steering wheel and faux-leather seats, while Ultimate models get nappa leather seats for a touch of added luxury. Head and leg room aren’t wanting, and there’s loads of width, so you won’t be clanging elbows with your passenger.

Unlike other vehicles in its class you’ll not be sort of places to store all your gubbins, there’s a large storage area under the front armrest, big door pockets and a tray for odds and sods in front of the gearlever.

You’ll find a good amount of soft-touch plastics on the dashboard and areas that you caress regularly, and all the switchgear is nicely to hand. There’s a 12.3” digital instrument cluster that replaces the analogue dials of the past, and the Ultimate trim gets a 9” infotainment screen that built into the dash.

Rear seat passengers will find themselves with plenty of legroom and very comfortable seats that that fold forward for small children and Oompa-Loom to access the second row seat. Incidentally, every Rexton gets seven seats as standard.

With the rearmost seats upright there plenty of space for shopping, fold them down and the Rexton becomes a cavernous cave! I particularly liked the height-adjustable boot floor that provides a relatively flat load area with all seats folded flat, and there's a storage area underneath it for deckchairs, camping stoves and so on.

Engine ‘n’ transmission

Just the one, SsangYong has kept things nice and simple with a 199bhp 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel mated to a Hyundai sourced eight-speed automatic gearbox. Power is up 20bhp to 199bhp, and torque has risen 21Nm to 441Nm from just 1,600rpm.

Conclusion

The Rexton remains one of the best value proper 4x4s out there at the moment. It may not have the status of anything from the likes of Toyota or JLR, but what it does lack pose-ability, it more than makes up for in dependability and exceptional value for money, whilst still offering far more luxuries than a Land Cruiser.

Don’t forget that every SsangYong comes with an impressive seven-year, 150,000 mile warranty. price: from £37,995 more at » www.ssangyonggb.co.uk