All-new SsangYong Korando arrives
Rejuvenated Korean brand launches its most advanced model ever in AustraliaThe all-new SsangYong Korando is now available in Australia, less than a year after the South Korean brand relaunched Down Under with the new Musso ute, Rexton large SUV and Tivoli medium and small SUVs.
Like those models, the fifth-generation Korando -- which SsangYong says is its most advanced model ever – arrives here with sharp drive-away pricing, plenty of standard equipment including autonomous emergency braking (AEB) across the range and a long seven-year warranty.
Unlike the rest of the range, however, the new SsangYong Korando comes with the brand’s first five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, which will almost certainly translate to a maximum ANCAP score.
As we forecast in April, when we drove the new Korando in Seoul, SsangYong is also planning an all-electric version in 2020 and a mild-hybrid version in 2021, and both electrified models could be sold here.
For now, two limited-edition diesel versions of SsangYong’s latest mid-size SUV are now available in showrooms, and will be followed by full-time models priced from under $30,000 soon.
Both the SsangYong Korando ELX LE and Ultimate LE launch models are powered by a 100kW/324Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine matched as standard to an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission, with fuel consumption as low as 5.7L/100km for the front-wheel drive ELX LE.
Both models come with AEB, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lange Change Assist (LCA), Front Collision Warning (FCW), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), High Beam Assist (HBA), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), seven airbags, electric park brake, auto door-locking and a reversing camera as standard across the range.
Other standard equipment for both variants includes upmarket items such as a 10.25-inch colour LCD instrument cluster, 8.0-inch infotainment touch-screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, auto on/off and levelling headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front/rear parking sensors, auto wipers, LED DRLs and tail-lights, rear privacy glass and heated, auto-folding side mirrors.
Ultimate LE variants add all-wheel drive, LED headlights and fog lights, power tailgate, power-adjustable heated and cooled front seats, leather trim, a heated leather-clad steering wheel, dual-zone climate control and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
At the moment, the ELX LE opens the range at $32,990 drive-away and rides on 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Ultimate LE costs $39,990 drive-away and has 19-inch wheels and a full-size spare.
Full-time variants and a cheaper EX entry-level model powered by a 120kW/280Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine are expected to join the range in October, the latter priced from under $30,000.
As we’ve reported, SsangYong’s answer to top-selling medium SUVs like the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson is based on an all-new platform and has one of the biggest boots in its class (551 litres).
The new SsangYong Korando will be available at up to 50 dealerships across Australia by the end of this year.
How much does the 2019 SsangYong Korando cost?
ELX LE -- $32,990 drive-away
Ultimate LE -- $39,990 drive-away
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