New 2019 SsangYong Korando: prices, specs and pics
The all-new SsangYong Korando SUV will take on the Nissan Qashqai with a fresh look, updated tech and a starting price of £19,995
Prices for the new SsangYong Korando have been revealed, with the new SUV starting from £19,995 in the UK and climbing to £31,995 for the range-topping Ultimate edition. The model was first unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show and is all-new under the skin, benefitting from updated cosmetics, an revised engine range, a redesigned interior and a new infotainment system.
SsangYong offers four trim levels for the new Korando. The range opens with the Korando ELX, which comes as standard with a set of 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth seat upholstery, cruise control, automatic headlights, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and a DAB radio with Bluetooth connectivity.
• New SsangYong Korando review
The mid-range Korando Ventura is priced from £22,995 and adds 18-inch diamond cut alloys, faux leather and cloth upholstery, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors and an electronic handbrake. Buyers also get a 10.25-inch digital instrument binnacle and an eight-inch infotainment system, with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
SsangYong’s upper mid-range Korando Pioneer targets the UK’s caravan market. As such, it has two-tonne towing capacity and can be specced with either front- or four-wheel-drive. Prices start from £26,495, with equipment additions including 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-weather tyres, a heated steering wheel and a full-size spare wheel.
The flagship SsangYong Korando Ultimate features leather upholstery, lumbar support for the driver’s seat, dual-zone air conditioning, a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system and rear privacy glass. Buyers also get a set of 19-inch alloys, an interior mood lighting system, LED headlights and a power tailgate.
Two engines are offered on the new Korando. From launch, buyers will only be offered a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder diesel with 134bhp and 324Nm of torque. The unit can only be specced with a six-speed automatic gearbox, and is only available in the Pioneer and Ultimate models. However, buyers can spec either front- or four-wheel-drive.
The newly developed 1.6-litre diesel conforms to Euro 6d regulations, offering a 0–62mph time of 12 seconds, claimed economy figures of 48.7mpg and emissions ratings of 144g/km of CO2 under the outgoing NEDC test regime.
From December this year, SsangYong will launch a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 161bhp and 280Nm of torque. It’ll be available exclusively with front- wheel-drive in the Korando ELX, the Korando Ventura and the flagship Korando Ultimate. A six-speed automatic will be the only gearbox offered from launch, although SsangYong will release a manual variant in early 2020.
By the end of 2020, SsangYong is expected to offer the new Korando with an all-electric powertrain, as previewed by the e-SIV Concept from the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. The concept featured a 189bhp electric motor and a 61.5kWh battery pack. Specs of the production model are still to be finalised, but range is expected to hit around 250 miles.
The new Korando is the first in a planned wave of new and refreshed produced from SsangYong. The brand’s Tivoli crossover will receive a heavy facelift in 2020, while the recently launched Rexton will be updated in 2022.
SsangYong is also considering a new SUV to sit between the new Korando small SUV and Rexton mid-size SUV to capture more market share. New SsangYong managing director Nick Laird told Auto Express earlier this year: “As Land Rover is becoming ever-more premium, we see a part of the market we can really capture – a market that is specialist that demands products that offer great design while still offering excellent value for money.
Do you think SsangYong can make a big impact in the UK with the new Korando? Let us know in the comments below...
