Ssangyong Korando (1997 - 1999)
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
The SsangYong Korando may be many things but bland doesnt enter the equation. Its looks will doubtless divide opinion but whether you love or hate its curious styling, one things not up for debate the value proposition. The 4x4 market is overpopulated by tiny tinny barbie trucks that wilt at the sight of a muddy pathway. The Korando is built of much sterner stuff and if you can track one down, youll be treated to a genuinely tough customer.
Get past the challenging appearance though and a used Korando makes a lot of sense. Its based on rugged underpinnings and features a pair of powerplants sourced from a German concern called Mercedes-Benz, who are reputed to know a thing or two about engines. Priced attractively from new, the Korando makes a left-field alternative to a Jeep Wrangler, and one that will guarantee a certain exclusivity.
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The rear is utterly oriental-conventional, though, with a neat, boxy shape. The overall look is of two different concepts melded together. The engine choices available are both well up to the task. Built in Korea under licence from Mercedes-Benz, the 2.
3-litre petrol unit is as refined as youd expect, but the 2.9-litre diesel, also a Mercedes unit, has proved more popular. Equipment includes electric front windows, electric mirrors, a height adjustable drivers seat with lumbar support, a tilt-adjustable leather-covered steering wheel, power steering, tinted glass, an alarm and immobiliser plus an RDS stereo radio cassette player. Certainly, despite the three-door-only availability, the Korando makes practical sense.
Theres ample head and legroom for five people, a split/folding rear seat and a respectable 1254 litres of boot space. Try that with a Jeep Wrangler.
If youre looking for a lot of metal for your money, the Korando makes a decent claim. The 2.3-litre petrol-powered cars solely available in GLS trim - start at £3,800 on a 1997 P plate rising to £4,225 for an S registered model. Automatic gearboxes tend to tack another £200 onto those prices.
The 2.9-litre diesel models open in LS trim at £3,825 while the plusher GLS version can be your s for as little as £4,025, topping out at £4,475 for an S-plater. Insurance is Group 12 across the board.
The engines and gearboxes are proven items, and the ladder-framed chassis boasts good ground clearance, so the Korando keeps its nose clean on these counts. As with any vehicle that purports to offer serious off road capabilities, check the underbody for signs of damage. Concentrate on the suspension, exhaust and chassis, and make sure the steering and differential are still serviceable. Inspect the wheelarch liners for rust-inducing punctures and ensure that the four-wheel drive selector works properly, as these shift on the fly mechanisms are prone to accidental damage.
Otherwise, the usual reminder to obtain a service history applies.
(Estimated prices, based on a 2.9D) Youll need around £1,000 for a Korando exhaust and a catalyst will be around £410. Front brake pads will retail for at least £100, while a new radiator weighs in at around £250. An alternator will be in the region of £240, and a new starter motor £200.
Though it may be damning with faint praise, the Korando is better than it looks on the road. Despite being based on a proper off-road ladder chassis with meaningful ground clearance, the on-road ride is good. Coil sprung rear suspension gives a relatively composed ride, and stability feels good. Theres none of the tilting, toppling and swaying that some 4x4 owners have become used to, that feeling that when the steering wheel is turned the upper and lower halves of the vehicle are going in opposite directions.
Anti-lock brakes are fitted as standard, and the front suspension resists dive quite well. The four-wheel drive selector takes the form of a simple dash-mounted button rather than an awkward lever, and this can be operated at speed of up to 43mph. Once off-road, the short front and rear overhangs give the Korando admirable clambering ability, although it will struggle to match a Land Cruiser; theres just not the torque available. Of the two models, the diesel is the off-road weapon of choice.
A used SsangYong Korando offers quality, if somewhat old fashioned, engines, tough running gear, a certain individuality and an affordable sticker price. If you need a family-friendly 4x4, the three-door body style may strike it out and if youre at all the aesthete, it may never have entered your considerations in the first place. Nevertheless, it is surprisingly honest and charming and cant lose too much value over a typical three year ownership period. Do bear in mind that sales were, to put it kindly, modest.
Tracking down a Korando could well be a more challenging task than owning one.
