- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He Fr
2019 SsangYong Korando, 4th generation
The SsangYong Korando is a compact five-seater crossover SUV produced by the South Korean company SsangYong. In 2021, Israeli buyers can purchase the fourth-generation four-wheel drive vehicle with two turbocharged engines to choose from (petrol and diesel) and a six-speed Tiptronic gearbox (automatic transmission with manual mode).
Exterior
The current generation of the crossover was unveiled in the spring of 2019. The brand fans have probably recognized in this upgraded crossover SUV a slightly modernized version of the SIV-2 prototype, which was officially demonstrated in 2016 in Geneva. The concept was created under the motto ‘Strong. Special. Premium’. When drawing the exterior of the production vehicle, the developers tried to preserve the maximum resemblance to the concept car and, at the same time, make the body of the model lower and wider. Compared to the third generation, the 2019/2020 Korando has become prettier: simpler forms have been replaced by more graceful lines with prominent edges on the sides.
The vehicle has become 42 mm longer (4,450 mm) and 40 mm wider (1,870 mm). The wheelbase has been increased from 2,650 to 2,675 mm. The ground clearance can be 182 mm (petrol version) or 170 mm (diesel version). At the same time, the crossover has become lower by 55 mm (1,620 mm). There are seven body colors to choose from: cherry red, orange, space black, gray, silver, blue and white.
With a wheelbase of 2,650 mm and a length of 4.4 meters, the Korean crossover offers a spacious interior, thus surpassing its main competitors. A lot of space is provided to the rear-row passengers. The main rivals of the Korando are the Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Karoq. In comparison with the previous model, the trunk volume has been increased from 486 to 551 liters under the curtain, and with the rear row folded down, the trunk can reach a volume of 1,248 liters.
Power trains and chassis
In Israel, the new SsangYong Korando comes with all-wheel drive and is equipped with either a 1.6-liter turbocharged diesel engine (136 hp at 4,000 rpm and 324 Nm at 2,500 rpm), or an all-new 1.5-liter GDI-Turbo petrol direct injection engine. It produces 163 hp at 5,000 rpm and 280 Nm of torque in the range of 1,500-4,500 rpm. Both engines are aggregated only with a 6-speed automatic transmission by Aisin with manual mode. With a petrol engine, the vehicle accelerates to a maximum speed of 193 km/h, while a diesel engine allows it to accelerate up to 181 km/h. Acceleration to 100 km/h in both versions occurs in 12 seconds. Both versions have different wheels: the petrol version has 18-inch alloy wheels, and the diesel version has 17-inch alloy wheels.
The vehicle is still equipped with the McPherson strut at the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear. As a result, the crossover has a good steering response and behaves equally well both on a flat asphalt road and off-road. It is noteworthy that the ability to tow trailers, characteristic of the ancestors of the current crossover, has been preserved, although the weight of the cargo has decreased. For the petrol version, the weight of the trailer without brakes is 500 kg, for the diesel version, it is 750. The trailers with brakes can be heavier: 1,500 and 2,000 kg, respectively.
Trim levels
Both 2020 SsangYong Korando modifications, regardless of the engine, are well-equipped. The equipment includes a full range of electronic assistants, including automatic braking and lane departure warning systems. The Electronic Stability Control can be switched off.
The vehicle has a virtual Blaze Cockpit instrument cluster with a 10.25-inch screen and a media system with an 8-inch touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto, as well as a steering wheel with multimedia control keys. The new Korando is also equipped with a 2-zone climate control system, an electric heated windshield, a tire pressure sensor and a controller that monitors the general condition of the driver.
