Ssangyong Rexton W 4×4, road test (Exterior design, interior and boot)

We continue with the Ssangyong Rexton W, an off-roader we tested with the two-litre diesel engine producing 155 CV, a proper 4×4 with a low-range transfer case that has shown good off-road capability. Everything about the engine, off-road ability, handling and consumption was covered in the first part of the test.

In the second part we need to analyse the exterior design, a model that has been renewed in its third generation with changes that are more than evident compared with the Rexton II. We will analyse the exterior design, but also the interior which offers space for up to seven occupants and a good boot.

Exterior design

On the outside the third generation changes its front end radically, with a new grille and headlights with LED technology. Curiously, the LEDs are used for the position lights, while the daytime running lights are bulb-type.

From the side it stands out for its 18-inch alloy wheels (16-inch in the case of the 4×2 version and 18-inch in the 4×4 versions), and the door mirrors with integrated indicators also stand out. The side steps are a good addition because the Rexton is a tall car, and they spare us from having to jump to get into the interior.

At the rear, the LED-technology lights stand out. Depending on the version, it can also have an independent opening rear window. On the outside the Rexton W is a robust and imposing car that grows in all its dimensions compared with the previous generation.

Interior design, space and finishes

Inside, the leap in quality is significant, the new Rexton W uses padded materials that are pleasant to the touch; that said, the general design of the dashboard changes very little. Now, in the top-of-the-range version, a wood finish is available that also helps raise the sense of quality in the Rexton’s interior.

The driving position is high, with good visibility to the front, sides and rear. The seats are comfortable, with two-way height adjustment, lumbar support, and the steering wheel is adjustable for height and reach.

The rear seats are spacious, with more than enough room for feet and head; however, the middle seat is firmer. It stands out for its seven seats, although access is complicated because, in addition to the height of the car, you have to climb over to the rear seats.

The third-row seats are wide in terms of width, but they sit in a very low position and therefore there is hardly any legroom. That said, for occasional use or for children they are adequate.

Boot and storage

The boot changes depending on whether the car is in the five- or seven-seat version, because it is the backrests of the seven-seat arrangement that form the boot floor. So, to leave it completely flat, the brand has created a kind of recess that raises the boot floor. Small items can be stored in that recess, but the downside comes in the height when loading a bulky or heavy object.

This is something to bear in mind when deciding between five and seven seats. Even so, the boot is generous with five seats, with a total of 680 litres of boot capacity available.

In the storage section, the doors have large door pockets and a specific space to carry a half-litre water bottle. The central storage compartment is also spacious, while the main glovebox is rather small (barely fits the documentation and little else). There are two cupholders in the centre console, but there is no spot to leave a phone, for example (a smartphone doesn’t fit in the cupholder because it is too narrow).

In the third part of the test we will analyse the standard equipment, the safety equipment and the features of our test unit. We will also put an end to the test with the overall assessment of the car and the prices of the Ssangyong Rexton W.

Photos | R. Rodriguez and Test Team