SsangYong Korando automatic, presentation and test drive in Toledo

Almost a year ago, SsangYong introduced the Korando, the first model the brand designed with European tastes in mind. Now the South Korean brand brings us its automatic version, which will be available with both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.

After leaving behind a temporary suspension of payments with the incorporation of the Mahindra & Mahindra group, SsangYong now hopes to capture a good share of the SUV market in Europe.

Automatic transmission

The SsangYong Korando features a six-speed automatic gearbox with a torque converter, developed and manufactured by the Australian company DSI in collaboration with SYMC.

This gearbox allows automatic driving with a sequential mode, thanks to paddle buttons on the steering wheel (D-/D+) for shifting, or we can operate a trigger located on the gear knob, which lets us change gears with the thumb.

As we mentioned earlier, this gearbox is available for both 4X4 and 4X2 drivetrains. The latter is a major novelty as it is the first SUV to combine a 4X2 drivetrain with an automatic gearbox.

As for performance and consumption, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in about 10.8 seconds, with a top speed of 186 km/h. The 4X4 version has an homologated consumption of 6.3 l/100 km on the extra-urban cycle, while in the city it rises to 9.6 l/100 km. In the case of the two-wheel-drive version, these figures drop to 6.1 and 9.4, respectively.

Finally, it has two different positions, S and W, located next to the gear lever, which allow the vehicle to be adapted to possible difficulties of the terrain.

Driving impressions

On the first journey in which we were able to drive our Korando unit, which had a 4X2 drivetrain, we headed from Madrid to the Ocaña aerodrome. Our first impression of the Korando’s automatic gearbox was driving around the city, where we could verify that gear changes were quite smooth.

Once we left the centre of Madrid, we faced a 60 km stretch on the motorway. On this occasion the automatic gearbox proved very progressive, although on some occasions it shifts up at revs that are too high, which causes the consumption to rise by a few tenths.

Once we left Ocaña airport, we had the chance to see how it behaved in sequential mode. As mentioned before, once M is selected on the gear lever, we can change gears using buttons located on the steering wheel or on the side of the gear lever thanks to a trigger.

Starting with the steering wheel buttons, they are located in a somewhat awkward position, since with the steering wheel straight they sit rather low. Furthermore, when turning the wheel in bends, you need to know exactly where the buttons are.

As for the trigger, it lets you upshift or downshift by moving it forward or backward. Once we press the button or operate the trigger, the gear change takes a little time to happen.

Finally, we took the car onto an unpaved track, which let us see how the Korando behaves off tarmac. Although our particular unit did not have a 4X4 drivetrain, its ground clearance allowed it to get over any obstacle we encountered.

Market, equipment and price

At the press conference where the model was presented, they also spoke to us about their outlook on its positioning in the current market. The first thing they told us was the sales of the Korando between January and August of this year, which totalled 810 units out of 31,351, considering only diesel models and excluding rental cars.

As far as the automatic Korando is concerned, it is the first model to pair an automatic gearbox with a 4X2 drivetrain, although it is also available with all-wheel drive. If we consider current market data, this combination of 4X2 drivetrain and automatic gearbox may be quite beneficial.

In Spain, around 78% of SUV sales are front-wheel drive, while more and more buyers are opting for an automatic gearbox. That is why, according to SsangYong’s calculations, this new potential market could translate into sales of up to 13,800 units.

As for equipment levels, the new automatic versions offer two extra trim levels. On one hand there is the Premium Plus for the 4X2 version, which adds, among other things, automatic climate control, heated seats and an outside temperature indicator. The Limited Plus, for its part, is for the 4X4 version.

In addition, both will come with the G-pack, at no extra cost, which adds sportier trim mouldings and a navigation system with iPod connectivity. Finally, we come to prices: 26,990 euros for the Korando D20T Premium Plus 4×2 Automatic, and 29,900 euros for the Korando D20T Limited Plus 4×4 Automatic.