The rise, fall and rise again of the SsangYong badge in Britain has left many potential buyers with a nagging nervousness about the marque's future. The name all but disappeared from the UK as the budget Musso slipped under the Daewoo moniker before making a permanent exit. With it went the SsangYong name - the marque was sleeping, but many thought it was dead.That's probably why sales of the new Rexton model have failed to shine as brightly as the manufacturer had hoped. Only 964 examples of the excellent five-cylinder turbo diesels and greedy straight-six 3.2-litre petrol models have been sold nationwide since their June 2003 launch. But there is every reason to believe that this able Korean budget 4x4 is just getting into gear and may yet do well.It certainly deserves to. A combination of Mercedes-Benz power plant and driveline design, efficient Far East construction, European looks and a competitive price list have made the Rexton a force to be reckoned with.I spent 1000 miles with a 270 Xdi SE automatic, and apart from a few reservations would have little problem in recommending this likable five-door to budget-minded 4x4 drivers.The petrol Rexton sells in penny numbers, but the turbo diesels make great sense. The new 2.7-litre Mercedes-designed oil-burning version is a potential star. It's far more refined than the older-design 2.9-litre unit fitted to the entry-level 290 and boosts power from a modest 116bhp to a punchy 163bhp. It also delivers around 25% more torque at 2400rpm. At 250lb/ft the 270 generates another 62lb/ft of torque compared with the 290.Designed by Mercedes but assembled in Korea, the engine is virtually identical to the twin-cam CDI turbodiesel used in the Mercedes ML 4x4, E-Class, C-Class and CLK ranges. It's the same for the advanced and smooth-changing switchable five-speed automatic gearbox. SsangYong calls the transmission T-Tronic - but the box is Mercedes-Benz cog for cog, and feels like it. It's one of the Rexton's best features.The Xdi falls about mid-way in the eight-model 270 line-up. Fitted with five seats, full leather and part-time 4x4 transmission, it's well equipped to justify its £23,499 price. That makes it £1500 more expensive than the entry-level Xdi 270 SE manual and £500 cheaper than the permanent 4x4 Xdi 270 SX automatic - but still a long way short of its upmarket Mercedes ML 270 CDI close cousin, which will relieve you of nearly £36,500 with automatic transmission and leather.The Xdi SE auto also gets climate control with air purifier, twin front and side airbags, ABS with ESP, metallic paint, roof rails, cruise control, luggage cover and five 16-inch alloy wheels. It's a generous specification.A variety of extras "packs" are offered including a Luxury Pack costing £200 and providing a flip-up glass sunroof, spoiler and high-level stop light. You can also order a £498 Power Pack to give a powered driver's seat with memory and powered external mirrors with memory, or a £700 Power Pack 2 which adds a powered passenger seat and heating elements for both front seats. A Convenience Pack costing £250 includes rain sensor wipers and an auto-dimming rear mirror.On the road the engine pulls well. Overtaking punch is hardly dynamic, but far better than the 290 version. Cruising is relaxed and overall cabin refinement is good with the exception of irritating tyre drone over some surfaces. In two-wheel drive on one 200-mile stretch I averaged 31mpg - close to the official combined figure. The gearbox swaps gears smoothly with just a hint of delay in kickdown and, despite the 2.7's power, the engine has to work hard to accelerate this two-tonne off-roader.Off-road ability was impressive. Switching from rear-wheel drive to 4x4 traction is a simple electric button affair, best done at rest. An approach angle of 25 degrees and departure of 22 degrees linked to a ramp angle of 220 degrees make it a formidable off-road tool, while a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes underlines its workhorse capability.I clambered over a rocky and mud-filled track with no problems and waded a gravel river bed easily in 4x4 mode. It proved the Rexton's ability, but this is an off-roader best suited to tarmac. The vehicle is softly sprung, and bounces and wallows in the rough stuff as the springs react to articulation. Having said that, the all-coil front double wishbone and rigid five-link rear suspension managed to keep all four wheels in contact with terra firma for most of my tough off-road trial.The Rexton offers a big cargo area, comfortable and well-trimmed interior, and smooth on-road ride quality, while the excellent off-road traction and grip are boosted with a practical 200mm ground clearance. Load capacity can be increased by folding the rear seats to create a flat cargo platform - an easy action which takes seconds.All this adds up to a value-packed part-time 4x4, with shortcomings. The Xdi ride is lively when lightly loaded and there's a fair amount of road noise transmitted to the cabin. Interior trim is well fitted, but looks cheap. Switchgear is scattered and haphazard, and I was surprised to find the mounting for the central rear seatbelt crudely bolted to the roof lining. It's bulky and restricts loads which need maximum height.You also pay dearly, in SsangYong terms, for the SE package and would be better off with the new 270 Xdi S version - a £19,995 Rexton with cloth seats and lacking the SE's side airbags.But as a low-cost, capable 4x4 with space and a strong engine and transmission, the 270 Xdi SE automatic is a good buy - although depreciation will be steep, so a lengthy ownership makes best sense. Trading in the Xdi too soon could prove costly. Engine 2696cc, 5 cylinders Power 163bhp Transmission 5-speed automatic Fuel/CO2 30.0mpg / 250g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 13.2 seconds Top speed 106mph Price £23,499 Details correct at publication date
