Ssangyong Rexton C-S Range : TOUGH TO BEAT?

Expert Rating:

SsangYong's largest 4x4 provides big-car space for small-car prices, but how does it convert into a van? Matt Low reports

The SsangYong Rexton C-S is a whole lot of vehicle for not much money. In fact, if you're in the market for a 4x4 van for under £20,000, you might struggle to find a vehicle with more space on offer. But that small price tag does mean a sacrifice in terms of performance and quality.

If the concept of `buying into a brand' means very little to you and you are basically after the biggest hunk of 4x4 van you can get for under £20,000, then you may have found your next vehicle. SsangYong's Rexton C-S offers big-car space at small-car prices. It looks stylish and, more importantly for commercial customers, it looks very big. But as you'd expect, it's cheap for a reason. While the Rexton C-S is tough, reliable and spacious, it won't win any prizes for its performance or interior. The Rexton is not the most composed van on the tarmac and the engine is a little rough around the edges but the build quality is better than you'd think, equipment levels are high and the Rexton won't cost the earth to run. The 4x4 van sector is a tough one to crack and while the Rexton C-S won't be topping any sales charts, a place for it does exist within the market. Sales of the Rexton 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. You won't be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing an engine in the Rexton C-S. There's a choice of either a 2.7-litre diesel or, well, nothing. This surprisingly sophisticated engine is one of the Rexton's major selling points. It's a 2.7-litre, five cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine with third generation common rail injection and it's sourced from none other than Mercedez-Benz. This means you can expect 163bhp at 4,000rpm and 340 Nm at 2,400rpm, which is a decent showing. The Rexton's five-speed `torque on demand' manual transmission normally supplies power to the rear wheels but if things get slippery, the system automatically distributes power to the axle with the most grip, ideal for the kind of bumpy terrain 4x4 vans are often used for. It also features an electronic stability programme and hill descent control for greater security. The ride on tarmac isn't 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.

"In effect, you're buying the utility of a large 4x4 van for the asking price of a much smaller compact sports utility modelâ€¦"

This van feels strong through the gears but you may need a heavy right foot from standstill when accelerating onto roundabouts or out of T-junctions. It'll top out at 111mph and takes 12.9s to reach 60mph. The Rexton C-S weighs 2,760kg and can tow anything up to 3.2 tonnes. In effect, you're buying the utility of a large 4x4 van for the asking price of a much smaller compact sports utility model. What you're not buying, however, is the kind of desirability offered by some of the Rexton's competitors. This means that when the time comes to sell, say, three years down the road, the Rexton C-S will be worth a good deal less. Of course, this point is rendered moot if you absolutely need the extra space the SsangYong affords but otherwise it's a bit of maths you'd be well advised to break out the calculator for before making a buying decision. Rexton owners can expect to achieve something in the region of 37.1mpg according to the official combined cycle figures. CO2 emissions are 228g/km for the 163bhp manual model. Essentially what SsangYong has done is taken its biggest 4x4 passenger car and removed the rear seats. This means the Rexton C-S has a large payload of 740kg and can lug some hefty cargo about. Strangely though, it only offers 2,186 litres of space in the rear. That's 198 litres less storage space than its little SsangYong commercial vehicle brother, the Kyron C-S, which costs around £2,000 less. The rear windows are tinted to keep loads out of view and the storage area has easy access through the rear tailgate and rear doors. Those back doors are fine for quick access to your payload but when the time comes to load large items, they are rather awkwardly shaped and you may be forced to revert to the tailgate. The Rexton C-S is capable of carrying some pretty hefty loads but it remains to be seen how the some of the less sturdy bits of interior trim will hold up to sharp knocks and the sort of bumpy terrain the Rexton C-S is likely to be driven on. SsangYong has done a good job insulating the cabin from engine noise though as the VM-sourced engine isn't the quietest diesel unit when you lift the bonnet. From the driver's seat, it's reduced to a muted rumble. Although the Rexton's interior is not what you'd describe as luxurious and looks a bit plasticy, the cabin does feature an air quality control system and a three person memory driver's seat. The price is the major attraction of the Rexton C-S, offering a lot of car for your money. ABS brakes, ESP with Active Rollover Protection (ARP), Hill Descent Control (HDC), climate control and a Kenwood audio system are all included in the price. A special guard to separate the driver and passenger from any load being carried is available for £299. SsangYong is also making a tachograph fitting kit available for both models, something that isn't available from some competitors. The electric door mirrors fold in and are heated. The Rexton C-S has an easier job making headway in the 4x4 van market than its passenger car counterpart does in its sector. This is firstly because commercial vehicle operators are less badge-conscious and secondly because there are far fewer rivals amongst 4x4 vans and none that can offer the amount of space this vehicle gives for the money being asked. The 2.7-litre diesel engine isn't particularly quiet but it is reasonably economical considering the size of the Rexton though and the vehicle has considerable off-road ability to go with its adequate composure on the tarmac. It offers plenty of room and an interior that feels well built, if a little behind the times style wise. Overall, it's the low pricing that will sell the Rexton and if you're looking for a big 4x4, they don't come much more affordable. The Rexton C-S also comes with a three-year/100,000 mile warranty.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: SsangYong Rexton C-S
INSURANCE GROUP: 12
CO2 EMISSIONS: 228g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed: 122mph / 0-60mph 12.2s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 37.1mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, ABS with ABD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: 4720/1870/1760mm