Australian details: 2019 SsangYong Korando

Priced from under $30,000 and taking aim at compatriots Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, the sub-$30,000 SsangYong Korando SUV is based on a new platform, delivers new technology and will be offered with a new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine (120kW/280Nm).

And it could be the vehicle that puts the brand on the map for Aussie buyers.

Although exact pricing and spec haven't been confirmed yet – the car doesn't enter production until June – it's clear the vehicle is a big step forward for the brand following our pre-production drive in Korea.

The new design is a far cry from some of SsangYong's previous models, with an exterior design that blends elements of the Hyundai Tucson, Volkswagen Tiguan and Peugeot 3008.

Two engine types will be offered with the 2019 SsangYong Korando: the aforementioned 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine (100kW/320Nm) borrowed from the Tivoli, paired with six-speed manual and auto transmissions in either 2WD and AWD configurations.

Three model grades will be available and the line-up is expected to mirror that of other SsangYong vehicles with the EX, ELX and Ultimate monikers.

Alloy wheels (17, 18 and 19-inch) will be part of the package, while mid- and top-spec Korandos will feature the Korean brand's 10.2-inch instrument display screen. Similar to the Audi virtual cockpit, it comprises a customisable display, while a flush-fit 8.0-inch central infotainment touch-screen will also be offered.

Measuring 4450mm long, the Korando SUV is slightly longer than Nissan QASHQAI (4394mm) but is overshadowed by the top-selling Hyundai Tucson (4480mm) and Mazda CX-5 (4550mm) medium SUVs.

However, SsangYong reckons it has one of the biggest booties in the biz, its claimed 551 litres – with removable floor panels – besting the Tucson (488L) and CX-5 (442L). Some models will get a powered tailgate.

Available in seven colours, including three new ones (cherry red, orange pop, grey), SsangYong has to offer high levels of equipment as it's still a challenger brand and relatively unknown in Australia.

Base model features are still being worked out but top-shelf variants will get a veritable cornucopia of goodies. Think dual-zone climate control, radar-cruise control, LED headlights, heated, cooled and powered front seats plus 3D infinity LED mood lights in dashboard and doors as standard. Vehicle exit alert will also be available on Ultimate models, warning occupants of approaching bicycles.

SsangYong Australia, the brand’s first official importer outside of Korea, is planning to offer high-levels of safety equipment across all three model grades, with an eye towards nabbing a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Unlike some of its rivals that bundle autonomous emergency braking into optional safety packs, for example the SmartSense pack ($2200) for entry-level Hyundai Tucson model grades, all SsangYong Korando variants will get AEB, lane keep assist, high-beam headlight assist, seven airbags and driver attention alert as standard.

"We're coming from nowhere so we've got to get into their [customer] mindsets; we can't do safety packs, we don’t want to," said Andrew Ellis, SsangYong Australia's product planning manager.

Pricing is still being negotiated ahead of the car's local launch in August 2019, followed by ANCAP testing around September, but Ellis says the Korando will be competitive with fellow Korean models.

"Korean rivals – we think that's where we need to be. It's got to start in the high-20s," he added, confirming a sub-$30,000 price tag.

Mid-$20K start pricing is out of the question "because we'd eat into Tivoli as well", said Ellis.

The company sells a stretched version of the smaller Tivoli, the XLV, which is currently its mid-size SUV offering. But that model will be killed off in Australia when the new Korando arrives in August.

Currently SsangYong sells the Rexton large SUV, Musso dual-cab ute and the Tivoli SUVs in Australia.

The exclusively SUV and ute brand will also launch a long-wheelbase version of the Musso ute, dubbed the XLV, in May 2019 and there are also plans afoot for people-movers and a Toyota Prado-rivalling seven-seat SUV.

There are currently 36 SsangYong dealers across Australia and the brand's objective is 50 dealers by the end of 2019. SsangYong was relaunched in Australia in late 2018 after a two-year hiatus and hopes to record 3000 new vehicle sales by the end of this year.

What’s coming from SsangYong:
Musso LWB — May 2019
Tivoli facelift — August 2019
Korando — August 2019
New D-segment SUV — 2020
New people mover — 2020
Korando EV — 2020
Korando Hybrid — 2021
Musso facelift — 2022
Rexton facelift — 2022
New Tivoli — 2023
EV pick-up — 2023