SsangYong Tivoli XLV 2018 Review

SsangYong is planning a big old party in Australia from November 2018, when it relaunches with four models – the Musso dual-cab ute and Rexton large SUV, along with the Tivoli small SUV and Tivoli XLV medium SUV.

We tested all models in Korea recently… except the regular SsangYong Tivoli that could start under $20,000 in Australia, potentially making it the top-seller for the brand.

Nevertheless, we did get a short on- and off-road burl in its longer cousin, the Tivoli XLV, whose all-wheel drive diesel powertrain and big boot give it a point of difference in the small-medium SUV segment.

The 2018 SsangYong Tivoli XLV measures 4440mm long (regular Tivoli is 4195mm), which makes it longer than the compact Mitsubishi ASX and (4365mm) and Nissan QASHQAI (4394mm) but shorter than the top-selling mid-size SUV, the Mazda CX-5 (4550mm).

It’s also got an unusual design and of the four new models SsangYong is inserting into the Aussie market, this one is probably the most likely to find small children pointing and laughing at it. Possibly dreaming of vandalising it too. But as the old saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

OK so jumping into the SsangYong Tivoli XLV for the first time had me scratching my head. ‘This is an SUV?’, I pondered. More like crossover, given the view from the pilot seat isn’t significantly higher than in some wagons or hatchbacks.

The SsangYong Tivoli XLV mid-size SUV has a 168mm ride height, which is slightly more than the teeny-tiny Mazda CX-3 (155mm) but way off the circa-200mm of ground clearance that most medium SUVs offer.

This means sight lines are only slightly better than in passenger cars and the Tivoli XLV also bottomed out a couple of times over the deeper divots in a short off-road track.

To its credit the all-wheel drive system has a locking centre differential that worked well, as did the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel — particularly sloughing through muddy sections.

On the road, the short test drive allowed me to establish that the SsangYong Tivoli XLV is a much more composed vehicle than some of the clunkers the brand used to make, easily navigating its way around Gangnam in Seoul with ease.

The steering is light which makes urban combat easy and the upright windows make it easy to see out of. Parking the vehicle is a doddle thanks to a reversing camera and proximity sensors. Ride comfort is pretty good and the crossover’s independent suspension gives it predictable handling dynamics.

Only one engine will be offered in Australia: a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel (115kW/300Nm) unit, fitted exclusively to an AWD system, but six-speed manual and auto transmissions will be available.

The smaller ‘regular’ SsangYong Tivoli will get a more affordable 1.6-litre petrol engine driving just the front wheels.

The seven-seat diesel AWD version takes a claimed 12 seconds to reach 100km/h from standstill, which for a small-ish vehicle with more engine torque (300Nm) than a Volkswagen Polo GTI seems a bit slow.

Indeed, the Tivoli XLV is not the zippiest traffic light hustler.

That said, it’s not bad once up and running and, like the other SsangYongs we tested, the diesel engine was smooth and quiet in almost all scenarios. The six-speed automatic transmission is fairly innocuous, with acceptable intelligence and average shift times.

SsangYong reckons the Tivoli XLV will slurp down fuel at a rate of 6.3L/100km, which is typical for this class of vehicle.

It weighs 1535kg, which ain’t light but one thing this vehicle has up its sleeve is a whopping boot and tasty towing capacity – two things that few other small SUVs can deliver.

It will tow an unbraked trailer weighing up to 500kg and a braked trailer of up to 1500kg, meaning small watercraft and boats are very doable. Where’s the jetski?!

As mentioned, the boot of the SsangYong Tivoli XLV is pretty spacious, although the claimed 720 litres of cargo room – almost 300 litres more than the standard Tivoli – seems excessively generous when you start poking around.

It’s bigger than its rivals for sure, but 720 litres is at least 200 litres more than a Mazda6 wagon (506L).

The boot has underfloor compartments that add a bit of utility and, to its credit, the XLV will come with a full-size spare wheel.

In fact, SsangYong Australia managing director Tim Smith said every AWD model in the Korean brand’s range will get a full-size spare.

There’s ample space for the driver and front passenger, and plenty of leg room for two adult passengers in the back of this Korean cruiser -- three at a pinch.

Compared to the newer Musso and Rexton models however, the Tivoli XLV looks and feels a bit older and simpler inside.

The central console and the buttons for the infotainment aren’t quite as elegant as its bigger ute and SUV siblings, but everything works well.

The front seats aren’t particularly contoured but are supportive and mostly comfy, while the driving controls are where you expect them to be.

There’s a simple trip computer and a good assortment of cruise and audio controls on the steering wheel. For the most part everything works as expected.

Unlike all other SsangYongs coming to Australia, which will be offered in EX, ELX and Ultimate trim levels, the Tivoli XLV will only be offered in ELX and Ultimate grades.

That means it will likely be a more expensive proposition. Don’t expect a sub-$20,000 price here.

Although SsangYong hasn’t confirmed feature levels or price, entry-level ELX models are expected to get faux leather seats, dual-zone climate control and touch-screen infotainment systems with a USB port and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, not to mention reverse camera and parking sensors.

Our test car, which was indicative of the Ultimate grade, was packed to the hilt with upmarket features, such as heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, sunroof, leather upholstery, automatic headlights, wipers, keyless entry and engine start.

Semi-autonomous driving aids may also be offered in Australia. Think lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control, which would allow the vehicle to steer, accelerate and brake by itself – within reason.

Adaptive high-beam headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels are also likely on Ultimate models, while all Tivolis will get seven airbags, stability control and autonomous emergency braking will be standard.

Despite this the SsangYong Tivoli XLV will be sold in Australia with a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The South Korean brand is plotting a Tivoli update in August 2019, when it will retest the updated model to try and nab a five-star score.

Euro NCAP’s reason for not giving the Tivoli five stars? The “…proper retention of the rear [seated crash-test] dummy failed, allowing excessive forward movement and protection of the head was rated as poor. As a result, the Tivoli lost all points for that dummy.”

“SsangYong are investigating the cause of the failure,” said Euro NCAP.

If you thought the little “I lov it” play on words was cool, you’ll dig the XLV meaning – eXciting smart Lifestyle Vehicle. Hmmm… shouldn’t it be the Tivoli ESLV, then?

In all seriousness, this small crossover vehicle could be worth investigating if the price and warranty are compelling. I reckon it could perform well against some rivals in a comparison, too.

Do “I lov it?” No, not really… but I don’t hate it either. The new SsangYong Tivoli XLV is unlikely to have the Honda CR-V and Mitsubishi Outlander quaking in their boots.

But if the Korean challenger brand puts together a tasty drive-away deal when vehicles start arriving in November, it may curry favour with budget-conscious seven-seat crossover buyers.

How much is the 2018 SsangYong Tivoli XLV?
Price: TBC
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 115kW/300Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 164g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Four-star (Euro NCAP)