Ssangyong Kyron C-S Range : YONG AT HEART

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How does SsangYong's large, low-cost 4x4 convert into a van? Matt Low reports.

The relatively unheard of SsangYong Kyron C-S is the van version of SsangYong's Kyron 4x4. Following on from its passenger-carrying cousin, it offers plenty of space, low running costs and a good quota of equipment.

You would be forgiven for thinking SsangYong's 4x4 vans are nothing more than the passenger cars of the same name with the rear seats wrenched out. That's if you'd ever heard of or seen a SsangYong in the first place. But peer through the tinted rear windows of the Korean manufacturer's Kyron C-S model and you may be pleasantly surprised by an affordable 4x4 van that combines generous features with reasonable space and off-road ability. The 4x4 van sector is a tough one and while the Kyron C-S won't be topping any sales charts, a place for it does exist within the market. Sales of the Kyron C-S will be small compared to conventional vans with a similar capacity but many operators find the blend of qualities offered by 4x4 vans ideal for their purposes. The Kyron C-S is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged common-rail diesel engine, delivering 139bhp and 310Nm of torque. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual with part-time four-wheel drive that can be selected when the going gets tough, although a Mercedes T-Tronic auto transmission is an optional extra. SsangYong is also offering a two-wheel-drive derivative of the C-S which lowers costs but loses the off-road prowess. Under normal road use, the Kyron C-S uses rear-wheel drive which can be manually changed to four-wheel drive as the car goes off-road. The Kyron offers a high vantage point for the driver, giving a clear view of the road ahead but handling isn't the sharpest and riding upfront in the Kyron can be a rather bouncy experience. While the Kyron C-S offers a maximum payload of 530kg, which is smaller than some of its competitors, its does have a maximum cargo volume of 2,384 litres and has easy access to the cargo area via the rear doors and the rear tailgate. Those back doors are fine for quick access to your cargo but when the time comes to load large items, they are rather awkwardly shaped and you may be forced to revert to the tailgate. Despite the attractive pricing, the Kyron is quite a size with a gross weight of 2,530kg and it can tow anything up to 2.3 tonnes which will be a real benefit to many operators.

"From the outside, the Kyron is a distinctive sightâ€¦"

From the outside, the Kyron is a distinctive sight. The rear lights take a little getting used to. Just as most manufacturers have decided that high mounted tail lights are the way forward, SsangYong seems intent on bucking this trend, the Kyron's tail lights hanging down below the car's belt line in a shield-shaped cluster. The front grille sits above the apex of the headlamps, giving the front end a curiously snouty look and from the side, the nose is a lot more tapered than the bluff fronts of most 4x4s. The extra urban fuel consumption in passenger car trim is 45.6mpg with class-leading CO2 emissions at 191g/km. This isn't a bad showing for a commercial vehicle lugging those hefty 4x4 mechanicals around. A purpose-built van is always going to be more cost-effective to run but it won't stand out in a crowd like the Kyron. The Kyron cabin isn't quite as boldly designed as the exterior and is the most obvious area where costs have been pared back. All the controls are easily comprehensible and ergonomics are decent but a spark of flair would be welcome. A circular metallic band that surrounds the gear lever and drops down one side of the transmission tunnel is an intriguing detail and the console that slopes towards the driver is another but there needs to be less of an emphasis on grey plastics for the SsangYong to excel. An ESP electronic stability programme, ARP active roll-over protection and HDC hill descent control system all come as standard. Coupled with the fact the Kyron C-S includes the same features that its passenger car predecessor enjoys, the fact you'd never heard of it before starts to seem less and less important. That means you can expect auto climate control air conditioning and a six-speaker Kenwood audio system with CD and RDS radio, plus steering wheel controls. A special guard to separate the driver and passenger from any load being carried is available for £299 including VAT and fitting. SsangYong is also making a tachograph fitting kit available for both models, something that isn't available from some competitors. Overall, the SsangYong Kyron C-S looks a decent proposition, offering the sort of space most would expect from a 4x4 van at highly affordable prices. If you're looking for a hefty slug of 4x4 van real estate and don't fancy being bankrupted by a flashy badge, the Kyron may well have something to offer. The Kyron C-S is likely to appeal to specific types of customer. Namely, those that regularly need to transport a relatively small amount of work equipment over tricky terrain or those who have a small amount to lug around and want something with a bit more comfort and street cred. If you're prepared to lose the convenience of sliding side-doors, then you may find the Kyron C-S represents great value for money.

Facts At A Glance MANUFACTURER: SsangYong MODEL: Kyron C-S BHP: 139bhp PAY
LOAD CAPACITY: 530kg LOAD VOLUME: 2,4m3 GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 2.53t LENGTH: 4,460mm WIDTH: 1,180mm HEIGHT: 1,740mm June 20th 2008