MORE PICTURES: SsangYong launches new Rexton SUV

SsangYong has officially launched its replacement for the Rexton at the Seoul motor show.

Keeping the old car's name, the new SUV is claimed to be all-new from the ground up and heavily influenced by last year's LIV-2 Paris motor show concept.

On sale in the first half of this year in Korea, and globally towards the end of 2017, the new Rexton will be available as either a rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive SUV, depending on model.

Like the old car, the new Korean SUV is based around a traditional ladder-frame chassis rather than a more sophisticated monocoque platform. According to SsangYong, its SUV’s tougher and more durable underpinnings will see it excel off-road and give it a class-best towing capacity.

Created to be SsangYong’s safest car yet, the next-gen Rexton will come with nine airbags and the option of emergency autonomous braking, plus lane departure warning and blind spot detection.

The Rexton also gets new (to the brand) tech that includes an all-new 9.2-inch infotainment system that incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

To help park there’s also a 360-degree camera system.

Borrowing styling cues from last year’s LIV-2 Paris motor show concept, the new Rexton measures in at 4850mm long, 1920mm wide and stands 1800mm tall.

Set to go head-to-head with the Mazda CX-9, Holden Captiva and fellow Korean, the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Rexton may open the batting with seven seats, but SsangYong is yet to confirm that.

Under the bonnet, the production LIV-2 will come with either a 166kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol or a 133kW/420Nm 2.2-litre diesel. Both engines come combined with Mercedes-Benz’ seven-speed automatic transmission.

It’s uncertain, following the failure of the Tivoli to reach buyers Down Under, whether or not the Rexton will make it to Australia.

Importer Ateco Automotive is expected to make an announcement following the Rexton’s reveal.