When SsangYong first launched the Korando back in 2011, it was a major moment for the South Korean manufacturer.

The Korando represented SsangYong’s first proper foray into the popular crossover segment and still boasts a neat design, courtesy of Italian design house Giugiaro. SsangYong have gone on to introduce the smaller Tivoli crossover and its more practical, estate-like XLV derivative.

But the Korando remains on the market where, with its relatively low starting price, it remains a budget option to the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

We’ve tried out the range-topping ELX version with four-wheel drive and the optional automatic gearbox, and its price is much higher compared to the Korando’s starting figure. Does it hold up in terms of value for money when compared to the competition?

Performance

Back in 2015, the Korando ditched its original 2.0-litre diesel engine in favour of a fresher 2.2-litre diesel which is used for every model in the range and produces 176bhp.

Front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox is standard for the Korando, but higher spec models like the one we drove use four-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic gearbox.

The engine does feel like it packs some punch, allowing the Korando to cover the 0-62mph sprint in a respectable time of 9.9 seconds. The auto ‘box meanwhile does a solid job of working through the gears. Performance doesn’t feel spectacular, but overtaking in this Korando shouldn’t feel like a hardship and it makes for a decent tow car too.

On the negative side, the engine itself can get really noisy, especially when the automatic is in the lower gears. It does get a little better if you stay at a consistent speed on the motorway.

Ride and Handling

The Korando can actually be quite relaxing because the car has hardly any body roll, provided you don’t push it particularly hard.

The Korando offers a decent amount of grip, especially in a four-wheel drive specification, but the driving experience is hampered by the steering which feels artificial and offers little feedback. On low speed roads in town though, the Korando can actually be quite relaxing because the car has hardly any body roll, provided you don’t push it particularly hard. The Korando also does a reasonable job of soaking up all but the deepest of bumps and potholes. Overall the drive is not bad in most situations, but the Korando does feel quite a distance away from the standards set by more recent crossovers like the Tucson and Sportage.

Interior and Equipment

SsangYong fashioned the name Korando by combining the first three and last two letters from the motto “Korea can do”.

Because the Korando is considered a budget option in the crossover segment, you may not be all that concerned about the interior and equipment levels. But if you’re going for the range-topping trim and spending over £20k in the process, then it’s reasonable to expect some luxury. On the plus side, you do get a decent amount of standard kit with the Korando ELX. The list includes leather seats which are heated and electronic, a leather steering wheel and gear knob, rear privacy glass, cruise control and a heated windscreen. You also get a seven-inch touchscreen device with sat-nav, Bluetooth, radio and iPod functions supported, though it does feel dated and a bit fiddly to use. Cabin room both front and rear is reasonable, though space at the back doesn’t match with certain rivals. More bothersome is the feel and quality of the leather and plastic trims that surround you. There are other crossovers available for similar money to the Korando ELX which offer a similar amount of space and feel much nicer to sit in. Boot space is competitive though at 486 litres as standard, which beats the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Ford Kuga and is just behind the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

Cost

With four-wheel drive and the automatic gearbox, the Korando takes a hit when it comes to both combined fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

If cost saving is a major concern, which is likely the case if you’re considering the Korando, then this car’s starting price of nearly £16,000 is unquestionably appealing. But the ELX trim models are over £20,000 and if you go for the auto ‘box and AWD, you’ll need £22,495. For that sort of money, you could get other crossovers like the Sportage, Tucson and Qashqai in standard to mid-level trims, although those will have a little less kit to offer. With four-wheel drive and the automatic gearbox, the Korando takes a hit when it comes to both combined fuel economy and CO2 emissions. It averages 41.5mpg whereas front-wheel drive manual models offer over 10mpg more and CO2 emissions are as high as 177g/km. Other specs record between 139 and 152g/km.

Our Verdict

The Korando was a big step forward for the SsangYong brand when it first arrived and it still has several plus points on offer. It’s spacious, has a decent amount of power and a fairly comfortable ride. Its pricing is something that can still appeal to crossover buyers on a budget but if that is a priority, it’d be worth looking to the cheaper specifications in the range rather than the range-topper to maximise savings. For the money needed for the ELX 4x4 automatic Korando, you can easily go for several alternative crossovers which offer superior driving dynamics, running costs and interior quality. The more recent Tivoli and Tivoli XLV both show how SsangYong have made encouraging progress since the Korando’s debut. We’re interested to see what the company can pull off when they’re ready to introduce their direct replacement for the Korando.