Ssangyong Korando Sports (12 on) - Review

The 2012 SsangYong Korando Sports pick-up is claimed to appeal to those looking for a vehicle that blends workhorse-like traits with family car comfort and usability. Setting it apart from the vast majority of other pick-ups is a more modern rear suspension set-up that utilises coil springs instead of leaf springs, which should help improve ride comfort and handling. Previously available in other markets, badged as the “Actyon Sports”, it has been quietly building a reputation as a durable and cost-effective pick-up. Aimed at securing the company a portion of the increasingly popular “dual-purpose” pick-up market, the Korando Sports has a lot going for it. It’s not expensive, it shouldn’t cost much to run, it comes with lots of kit and it can seat five people. Will the SsangYong Korando Sports pick-up impress enough elsewhere to make it a worthwhile alternative to more established rivals? Read the full Parkers SsangYong Korando Sports review to find out.

SsangYong has worked hard to ensure that the cabin in the Korando Sports isn’t too utilitarian or cheap looking. Yes, some of the materials and details aren’t of a particularly high standard but the interior feels quite durable. It’s also comfortable and it’s easy to find a good driving position. The controls are sensibly laid out, and suitably chunky so simple to operate when wearing gloves, but the positioning of the indicator and wiper stalks so high relative to the centre of the steering column can make them difficult to reach. There’s plenty of room inside and seating for five people. Dotted around are various storage points although most are too small to be of great use. The cabin is refined, even at motorway speeds. One particular plus point is that even when engaged in serious off-roading the SsangYong remains comfortable and free from odd noises, thanks to its stiff chassis and modern suspension. Equipment levels are good and even the entry-level SX model comes with niceties like air-con and Bluetooth connectivity. The higher specification EX model gets more upmarket features including leather trim, heated front seats and parking sensors. The EX is also available with an automatic transmission and cruise control. A range of optional accessories are on offer, including hard tops and trim upgrades. Fitting a hard top increases interior noise and cuts rear visibility, however.

The SsangYong Korando Sports is available with just one engine - a 2.0-litre diesel. It has an output of 153bhp and a useful 360Nm of pulling power. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic gearbox, both of which are perfectly serviceable, and four-wheel drive is available at the flick of a dial. The Korando Sports' engine is remarkably smooth and quiet, even when worked hard. By no means is the SsangYong fast but it has no problem accelerating up to motorway speeds or keeping up with traffic. Out on the road the SsangYong proves to be a competent pick-up with a good ride on smooth surfaces, only moderate body roll in corners and relatively accurate - although somewhat lifeless - steering. It’s easy to drive and manoeuvre, while its off-road capabilities are impressive thanks to a low-range “crawler” mode. The only real issue is that on rougher surfaces, or if you hit a bump when changing lanes, the SsangYong can vibrate and buck quite unpleasantly. When laden this, presumably, would be less noticeable. It’s also worth noting that the Korando Sports only offers part-time four-wheel drive. This means you should only really use its four-wheel drive mode on loose or slippy surfaces. Those who need extra traction for towing bigger loads will either have to look elsewhere or become accustomed to continually switching the SsangYong’s four-wheel drive on and off.