New-look Stavic addresses the loathe factor

If, in the past, you've backed quickly away from thoughts of purchasing a Ssangyong Stavic people mover, this recent cosmetic upgrade might have you reconsidering.

Never known for its aesthetic appeal, the Ssangyong people mover's maligned looks have been minimally improved with the adoption of a new grille that takes some of the fright out of the front. The problem is, the ungainly back end -- apart from the integration of a stoplight into the lofty rear spoiler -- remains untouched.

The new-look grille follows Ssangyong Kyron and Rexton models (more here) in its reinvention of the  corporate look previously set by British stylist Ken Greenly in Kyron, Musso and Korando Ssangyongs.

And there's more.

Power up a new Stavic and you'll discover that an electronic re-jigging of the 2.7-litre common rail direct injection turbodiesel's engine management to meet Euro IV emission requirements results not just in cleaner running, but also improved fuel economy.

In fact the turbodiesel is so good Ssangyong has decided to scrap the petrol 3.2-litre option, severing the Mercedes-Benz connection on this model at least.

The Stavic will continue to offer the option of rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, along with the flexible seven-seat interior that allows it to compete with the likes of Toyota Tarago, Citroen Grand Picasso, Mitsubishi Grandis, Kia Carnival and Renault Grand Scenic.

According to local Ssangyong importer Rapson Holdings, the new Stavic's "exterior styling has been improved with an all new front bumper fascia, front grille and, on the Sports model, a moulded nudge bar, while at the rear the Stavic benefits from a redesigned rear spoiler with integrated LED stop light, and roof rails are standard on all models."

Dual airbags, ABS, cruise control (auto only), power windows, rear parking sensors, central locking and dual air-conditioning are also standard on the two-model -- Sport and Limited -- range.

The Limited adds electronic stability control, leather seats, heated, eight-way power driver's seat and a sunroof.
Both models offer the choice of two or four-wheel drive, while the Sport version can be had in either five-speed manual or five-speed auto form. The Limited is auto only.

Despite a significant price restructuring earlier this year, the Ssangyong people mover's October 2007 sales show it managed roughly half the sales recorded in October 2006. It is well behind in the year-to-date count too, with just 179 Stavics sold so far this year, compared with 247 last year.

2007 Ssangyong Stavic pricing:    

 Diesel Sport 4x2 manual  $32,990
 Diesel Sport 4x2 automatic  $35,990
 Diesel Limited 4x2 automatic $41,990
 Diesel Sports 4x4 manual  $36,990
 Diesel Sports 4x4 automatic  $39,990
 Diesel Limited 4x4 automatic $45,990

 » Get the best price on a new Ssangyong Stavic

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