Ssangyong Rexton (2003 - To Date)
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
We all love a bargain. There are, however, some cars that seem almost too inexpensive. Think thats not possible? You need to try buying a used SsangYong Rexton. Believe me, you will end up feeling strangely guilty at how little youve paid and how much youve ended up with.
Thats not a function of terrible residual values either, the Rexton being fairly healthy in this regard. Its just down to the fact that SsangYong seem to have priced the Rexton a good few thousand pounds cheaper than it by all rights should be, when new, resulting in even more outrageous savings for the used buyer. If metal for your money is a priority and you want something nigh-on new, the Rexton makes a very interesting bet.
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The result is certainly striking although some may spot definite Mercedes M-Class influences in its profile itself no bad thing. Step inside and youll be impressed by the finish. Certain fittings look very familiar, although lets diplomatically say that if not copied, then many switches and layouts have been inspired by Volkswagen Group products itself no bad thing. The Rexton may be slated to compete with Discoverys and Shoguns but its pricing puts it alongside Family 4x4s from the slightly more utilitarian class below where youll find models like Mitsubishis truck-based Shogun Sport and yes, the Hyundai Terracan.
Just as well then that the ambiance is reminiscent of the more upmarket class. All three models are available in seven seat trim and the interior isnt cramped due to a long wheelbase with tidy overhangs. The seating arrangements are versatile and theres no shortage of cubbies and storage areas. The neat door bin bottle holders are a neat touch as is the dash-mounted pen holder and ticket clips in the sun visors.
The way the rear wiper arm automatically retracts downwards to keep it out of the way of the flip-up rear window is also something to impress your otherwise puzzled friends with.
After a couple of false starts that would normally result in disqualification, the Rexton finally got going and it has fairly sprinted out of the blocks. There are quite a few used examples to choose from, although many may well be ex-demonstrator vehicles. Expect to pay from £15,000 for a 53 plated RX290 in S trim, with the 3.2-litre version opening at around £18,000.
You will struggle to find the 270Xdi diesel model as its still relatively thin on the ground. Insurance for all Rexton models is affordable, opening at Group 11 for the RX290 and topping out at Group 13 for the RX320.
The Rexton offers a decent blend between rugged engines and no-nonsense componentry. Even after being subjected to quite arduous off-roading, a Rexton can come through unscathed. That said, do check the wheelarch liners for rust-inducing punctures make sure the alloy wheels havent been mangled. Get under the car and take a look at the suspension and exhaust for signs of damage.
The car should not pull to one side or the other as this can be a sign of steering damage and groaning sounds while cornering can spell a damaged differential.
(Estimated prices, based on a 2003 2.9TD). Theres often a sting in the tail with many budget South East Asian cars and it comes when you need to replace a part. SsangYong bucks this trend, offering reasonably priced spares.
A radiator will set you back around £115 while an alternator is approximately £180. A starter motor is again realistically priced at around £165 and youll need to budget around £300 for a complete exhaust (minus catalytic converter). The cat itself will be around £170 while front brake pads will cost a mere £40.
Although the Rexton rides well on road, its not been designed for exclusive blacktop use. On tarmac, it defaults to rear wheel drive operation but the push of a button forces the Borg Warner transfer case to engage either high range four-wheel drive for when things get a little slippery or low-range four-wheel drive for those occasions when you really need to lug yourself out of a spot. When in all-wheel drive mode in SE models, a vacuum actuator serves to lock all the wheel hubs automatically, further boosting traction. In plusher SX models, theres a torque-on-demand system which engages 4x4 progressively according to conditions.
The Rexton is built around a proper industrial strength ladder-framed chassis construction. Although immensely strong, most rivals have abandoned this architecture in favour of monocoque chassis structures that give a more car-like drive. Given the Rextons luxury pretensions it seems a trifle odd that it uses this he-man set up but the upside is that it feels almost indestructible when taken off road and the wheel articulation will get you out of many a tight spot. Its ride on tarmac isnt the smoothest but if you need a 4x4 that looks good but can still walk the walk when the going gets tough, the Rexton is a good value bet.
The RX320 possesses a fair turn of speed and body control is better than expected but it lacks that polished final few percent that convinces people to stump up big premiums for a premium product. Bear in mind that low price and any criticisms we make should really be put into context.
New sales of SsangYongs Rexton have demonstrated that there are quite a few customers out there who want a big, shiny 4x4 but dont want to fork out telephone number figures for the privilege. Thats good news for the used buyer who wants to capitalise still further. The RX290 and RX320 models that represent the bulk of used stock both have something to be said for them, but the best model in the range, the 270Xdi is still very hard to track down. Whichever model you opt for, that smug feeling youll get when you see a premium-priced rivals come the opposite way is worth the price of admission alone.
