Ssangyong Korando 2.0T 175 CV Limited 4×4 Aut., test drive (Exterior design, interior and finishes)

We continue with the test of the Ssangyong Korando, one of the most competitive SUVs on the market in terms of value for money, performance and equipment. Specifically, we have tested the best-equipped unit, with all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Everything about the engine, off-road behaviour, consumption and performance is covered in the first part of the test. Now, in the second part, we turn to the aesthetic aspect, that is, the exterior design, the new interior and the finishes and boot of the Korando. We can already say that the change has been very positive, and the interior gains a lot in quality.

Exterior design

The exterior design is based on the work of Italian designer Giugiaro, although in the fifth (and current) generation the lines of the front and rear have been modified to create a model suited to European tastes. Goodbye to the rounded shapes, and a much more pronounced front end appears, with new bumpers, a new grille and new headlights that feature LED technology as standard. Curiously, these are daytime running lights, which, incidentally, are always on (including the rear ones).

From the side, little has changed compared with the previous generation, but the alloy wheels have been redesigned. They are 16-inch as standard and, on the best-equipped versions (like the one we tested), 18-inch with an eye-catching design.

At the rear the changes are smaller, although the lights now feature LED technology (as standard) and a renewed look. The most notable thing is the new front end, more robust and imposing than in the previous generation. Our unit also had the electric sunroof, standard on the Limited finish.

Interior design

Inside, the change is radical. The previous dashboard relied heavily on hard plastics, but it has now been completely redesigned with new finishes. New chrome trim and materials such as wood appear, and the entire upper part of the dashboard is soft-touch plastic, and the quality shows.

The instrument cluster has also been renewed. It is not standard on all finishes (only on those above the Line), and it stands out for its new digital gauges and LED lighting. Finally, the on-board computer is also included, providing a wide range of information about the car’s parameters.

The driving position is elevated, with excellent visibility and the typical high seating position that crossover drivers love. Our unit came with microperforated leather seats (a nice touch), although lateral support could be better.

In the rear seats there is plenty of space, even for three occupants. This has always been a strong point of the Korando, and luckily it remains intact. There is enough room for feet and head, and in addition the backrests are adjustable and the central tunnel is not raised, so it does not bother the occupant of the middle seat.

Storage spaces and boot

Beginning the review of the various storage spaces in the Korando, the large door pockets stand out, although the main one is small. There is also space in the central console, which is spacious, and several spaces in the centre tunnel for a phone or keys, for example.

As for the boot, it has a capacity of 486 litres. It is not a very large figure, but it is sufficient and very usable thanks to its regular shapes. For comparison, the segment leader (and I’m not saying this, the sales figures are) the Nissan Qashqai has a capacity of 439 litres.

In the third part of the Ssangyong Korando test we will analyse the equipment, the standard safety features and our overall assessment of the car, as well as prices.

Photos | R. Rodríguez and test team