Revamp smartens up the Korando

IT is something of an irony that both this week’s test cars are made by companies whose futures were secured as a result of investment from Indian motor conglomerates.

In the case of Jaguar, it was Tata that stumped up the cash, but for Korean outfit SsangYong, it was a company called Mahindra and Mahindra that saved the day.

As a result of their intervention in 2011, SsangYong was taken out of bankruptcy and an immediate injection of funds resulted in a swift revitalisation of its fortunes with money being made avail able to revamp the company’s model line-up, consisting the Kyron, Rexton, Rodius and the car we test here, the Korando.

Coming to the market with a price tag way cheaper than some of its similarly-sized rivals, is now right in there at the ‘economic’ end of the scale. I have to say — with some reservations — that for the money, this package is not a bad one at all.

The revamp of theKorando has seen the vehicle smartened up in almost every aspect. The exterior look is purposeful and practical at the same time, while the interior is a nice place to spend time, even if the faux wood finishes are a touch low rent. Even so, specification levels are to be admired, especially at the price.

The two-litre turbodiesel, which is allied to a six-speed manual box is also a decent enough companion, outputting as it does 109kW (147bhp) between 3,400 and 4,000rpm and offering a reasonable amount of push from its 360Nm of torque, which comes on stream between 1,500 and 3,000rpm.

All this translates into a 9.9 second 0-100kph time and a top speed of 180kph, while outputting some 147 g/km and returning a 5.8 l/100 km (48.2 mpg) consumption figure.

The car has been launched on the Irish market as a two-wheel driver initially, although a 4WD will come on stream in due course — as will a commercial version.

On the road the handling falls on the ordinary side of good, but the steering is a long way shy of the class leaders, feeling vague and lifeless. Body roll was a constant companion and, if you ventured away from the urban environment, became ever more pronounced on poorer surfaces. I also had issues with the desperately rubbery gearshift.

Those moans aside, the Korando was comfortable enough — even on B-roads — and the lofty driving position and well-endowed specification levels (which offer, as standard on the basic ES model, stuff like cruise control, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, leather steering wheel, puddle lamps, 16” alloys, heated front seats and air con) will appeal to many punters — as will the €26k price tag.

Having sold zero cars in 2011, SsangYong is back — maybe not so much with a bang, but with certainly more than a whimper. The Korando offers a lot and many drivers for whom the driving experience matters not one whit will find it to be a perfectly acceptable companion.

COLLEY'S VERDICT

SsangYong Korando

2/5

The Cost: €25,995.

The Engine: A reasonably decent two litre turbodiesel with decent output and acceptable consumption.

The Specification: One of the more pleasant surprises with the Korando — bursting with kit.

The Overall Verdict: Not one for the badge conscious, but for those seeking a comfortable work-horse it will certainly fit the bill.