• Simple design and tidy dashboard layout
• Quality is a step up for SsangYong…
• … but it’s still not as good as its rivals

How is the quality and layout?

The Rexton’s cabin is a definite step up for SsangYong. The material quality and build quality is vastly improved over the previous-generation version of the car, but it still isn’t quite as good as its Korean and European rivals. There are soft-touch materials for most of the items within your wingspan, but the overall effect is a little more agricultural than, say, the Kia Sorento or Volkswagen Tiguan.

However, we can forgive the Rexton’s agricultural nature because it’s basically a SsangYong Musso pick-up truck with an SUV body. The quality issues in the cabin are balanced out by the sheer amount of space on offer, the practical seating layout and the off-road ability.

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The layout is good. We like the placement of the buttons on the centre console. The rotary controller for the Rexton’s selectable four-wheel drive system falls neatly to hand and works in a similar fashion to the system fitted to the old Land Rover Discovery. You also get physical climate control buttons in the centre console in addition to the menu in the infotainment system, which are much easier to use on the move than a menu on the touchscreen.

Infotainment and technology

You have a choice of two infotainment systems, depending on which model Rexton you opt for. The most basic Ventura model features an 8.0-inch infotainment system, while the flagship Ultimate model gets a larger 9.2-inch screen. Both come as standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

We haven’t experienced the Rexton’s 8.0-inch system yet, but its 9.2-inch system is good. The graphics look a dated, but it’s reasonably easy to navigate. The built-in TomTom navigation system on the Ultimate model is clever, too. It presents the locations of nearby speed cameras without needing to use a third-party smartphone app like Waze or Google Maps, which is handy.

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Android Auto was a little slow on the screen. The system doesn’t have enough processing power to load the menus smoothly, which makes switching between maps and media jerky. We also tried to use the voice control system to make a phone call, and it took a good thirty seconds before the system registered the command and dialled the number.

The 12.3-inch infotainment system is equally middle-of-the-road. It’s sharp enough, but it isn’t as configurable as the screen in a Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace or a Skoda Kodiaq. It’s a definite step up over the old Rexton’s analogue gauges, though.

One final niggle is the DAB receiver. It isn’t powerful enough to maintain a steady connection, which means the radio often cuts out. And this wasn’t just when we were driving the Rexton through a signal blackspot – this was up the M11, which is fine for reception in most other cars.

Comfort

• Loads of space, everywhere
• Standard heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats also standard kit

The Rexton’s cabin is a nice place to be, providing you’re not moving, but we’ll elaborate on that in the engines and handling section. The seating position is commanding and the seats themselves are accommodating. We’re confident that you’ll be able to get settled behind the wheel no matter your size or shape.

You’re not left wanting for more equipment, either. The most basic Ventura model features electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats. They all work well and represent excellent value for money. A four-wheel drive, 2.0-litre diesel-powered Tiguan Allspace Life costs the same £38,000-odd, but it doesn’t come with any of this kit as standard.

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Access to the third row is hampered in most seven-seat SUVs, but the Rexton fares better than expected. The rear doors are quite wide and, when the second row of seats are folded forward, there’s a well-sized gap to thread yourself through. Just watch out when leaving the vehicle – there’s a catch on the underside of the seat that sticks out, which our tester bashed his shin on.