SsangYong Tívoli Grand: an affordable and spacious SUV

Actually, the SsangYong Tívoli Grand is not a new model, even though it has changed its name. It is an update of the SsangYong XLV, the long-wheelbase body version of the Tívoli. A simple SUV with no great pretensions, family-oriented in character, available in four different trim levels, in petrol or LPG versions, with a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.

It has a length of 4.48 metres, a fairly tall body (1.66 m) with a robust look, midway between an off-roader and an estate. Especially notable is the capacity of its boot, well above the segment average, at 720 litres (293 more than the Tívoli), which offers a flat floor with a 146-litre lower compartment split into two sections that can be separated to hold the load. With the rear seatbacks folded down, this capacity rises to 1,440 litres and the loading length reaches 1,879 mm.

The new SsangYong Tívoli Grand features a platform built with 79% high-strength steel, of which 40% is advanced HHS (ultra-high-strength) steel, which promises greater structural resistance to torsion and a lower overall weight.

1.5 Turbo engine

The engine fitted to the Tívoli Grand is the G15T, a four-cylinder petrol unit with turbocharger and direct injection, displacing 1.5 litres, equipped with a Start & Stop system in the petrol version and another version that also runs on LPG, which costs 2,050 euros more. This engine delivers 163 CV at 5,000 rpm and 280 Nm of torque at 1,500 rpm.

For its part, it quotes combined consumption of 7.2 l/100 km for the manual versions and 7.8 l/100 km for the six-speed automatic variants. In the case of the LPG versions, which can run on either petrol or liquefied petroleum gas, they qualify for the DGT’s ECO environmental label.

Among the available options, it can be equipped with either a manual gearbox or an automatic one, both with 6 speeds. The automatic is a torque-converter gearbox, with a fully automatic mode and another with sequential manual shifting via the gear lever. In all cases the drive is to the front wheels, and the whole range includes a hill descent control system. It also features the Flex Steer system with three driving modes: normal, sport and comfort, which allow the steering assistance weight to be adjusted at will.

Very spacious

The interior is similar to that of the Tívoli, with simple controls, plenty of room and a welcoming atmosphere. The high driving position aids visibility, and its interior dimensions make it easy to accommodate occupants of widely varying sizes, as the seat also features height adjustment and the steering wheel is adjustable for both reach and height.

Many large storage areas, glovebox, trays and cubbies make life on board more comfortable up front, while it also offers good rear-seat habitability, with seats featuring reclining backrests.

Four trim levels

The new range is available in four trim levels, named: Line, Urban Plus, Premium and Limited. All include as standard a comprehensive safety equipment package (SASS) that includes cruise control, automatic emergency braking, hill descent control, unintentional lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, driver fatigue detection, etc.

A hill-start assist system or automatic anti-dazzle system is also available.

In the entry-level Line version, LED headlights are fitted, with cloth upholstery for the seats, which in the second row feature backrest recline adjustment and a 60:40 folding option. In this case it runs 205/65 R16 tyres on 16” steel wheels.

The next step up, called Urban Plus, is available with a manual or automatic gearbox and adds 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-trimmed steering wheel, light and rain sensors, rear-view camera, and an infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The Premium trim adds a driver’s knee airbag, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, illuminated vanity mirror sun visors, and seats with mixed cloth and artificial leather upholstery, while the top-of-the-range Limited, besides being optionally available with an automatic gearbox and two-tone bodywork, adds front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and start, 18-inch alloy wheels with 215/50 R18 tyres, power-folding mirrors and an anti-dazzle system.

Six colours are available across the range and, for the Limited versions, two roof colours depending on the body colour.

For every use

Undoubtedly, one of the model’s main strengths is its versatility, thanks to its dimensions and interior capacity. It is a spacious and comfortable model that can comfortably accommodate five occupants with plenty of luggage.

It does not particularly stand out for its consumption, performance or dynamic behaviour, although it is competent and pleasant in all areas. It has a very light steering (somewhat slow) and a suspension setup strongly geared toward occupant comfort, with a soft calibration that helps absorb road surface irregularities, although it does not firmly control body roll when driving quickly through sequences of linked bends.

The petrol engine paired with the automatic gearbox delivers a high level of performance, although it is true that it feels somewhat sluggish at the low end of the rev range, a situation that reverses once the 3,500 rpm threshold is passed. If you lean heavily on the accelerator, fuel consumption figures climb very easily, and it is hard to get below around 8 l/100 km on mountain roads in the variants equipped with an automatic gearbox.