• Diesel economy not the best
• Disappointing CO2 emissions
• Forthcoming petrol will be usefully cheaper

SsangYong running costs are typically offset by their low purchase price. That’s not necessarily the case with the Korando – at least, until the much cheaper petrol engine arrives. Until then, the SsangYong doesn’t make a very good case for itself in terms of how much it costs to run. It’s also worth mentioning that SsangYong’s finance deals are typically poor due to the brand’s high depreciation – it’s often better to buy the car outright.

Poor mpg for a crossover

The Korando isn’t as large an SUV as it has been previously, but it does still drink as though it is. Two-wheel drive models manage a respectable 48.7mpg combined, but 4×4 cars only return a disappointing 43.5mpg.

The Korando’s poor performance means economy does tend to suffer. Its slow 0-60mph time means that, in order to keep up with traffic, the driver will often really have to work the engine hard – contributing further to a poor fuel economy figure.

For comparison, a Skoda Karoq 4×4 fitted with the more powerful 150hp 2.0-litre diesel and a seven-speed DSG automatic – comparable in price to the top-spec Korando – returns more than 50mpg.

High CO2 emissions, too

Once again, the Korando trails its competition here. Emissions for a 2WD diesel are 144g/km – identical to the 4WD Karoq. The 4WD Korando, meanwhile, produces a disappointing 170g/km.

Korando could be first electrified SsangYong

Though there’s no such model at launch, the Korando could be the first SsangYong to offer a hybrid or fully electric powertrain. The original styling concept for the car was the e-SIV – an all-electric model, and SsangYong says that it’s working on these powertrains for eventual production. No timeframe has yet been given, though.

Reliability

• No black marks on SsangYong’s record
• Seven-year, 150,000 mile warranty is the longest in the business
• Korando feels built to last

There shouldn’t be any concerns when it comes to the Korando’s reliability. SsangYong builds its cars to take some punishment, and they last well – owners tend to be very satisfied with their purchases.

SsangYong dealers also tend to be smaller, more local garages, much like the franchises that sell Subarus or previously sold value oriented brands such as Proton and Daihatsu. That should allow buyers to build more of a relationship with their garage, as opposed to dealing with a faceless corporate-styled main dealer.

The warranty on the Korando is, as on all SsangYongs, an exceptional seven years of coverage. It lasts 150,000 miles, too – 50,000 more than Kia will warrant its Sportage for. That should give real peace-of-mind to those buyers who keep their cars for a long time.