Autograph Ssangyong Korando: Dangerous silence

The first impression: Looks good! And that, if you look at the previous models of the Korean brand, not at all self-evident.

That says the manufacturer: He is modest above all. "We want to sell around 1500 copies of the Korando in Germany next year," says Ulrich Mehling, head of Ssangyong in Germany. In view of such quantities, one wonders inevitably why the manufacturer stiffened on the German market, because even the other models of the smallest Korean manufacturer are sold in this country only in at best homeopathic doses. The 1,500 Korandos would then be "about half of our total volume," says Mehling. Seen world-wide, the now launched in the fourth generation SUV after all, the most successful car of Ssangyong.

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We noticed that: Welcome to the here and now. While the last Korando after nine years on the market last seemed rather antiquated and dusty, the Koreans are with the new model again on the amount of time. As befits a car from the home of Samsung & Co., the driver now looks at digital instruments, has a solid built-in touchscreen next to the steering wheel and can also fully couple the smartphone with the on-board electronics.

In addition, Ssangyong has vigorously upgraded the assistance systems. So, as it is known so far only by the much larger and more successful Korean brands Hyundai and Kia, the Korando offers - of course partly for a surcharge - everything the suppliers have for comfort and safety on the shelves. There are LED headlights and air-conditioned seats, there are assistants to prevent rear-end collisions as well as billiards when parking out or "Dooring" accidents due to carelessly opened doors. And for the first time in a Ssangyong, the driver can at least put his hands in his lap at short notice and let the steering, the speed and the distance from the sensors of the car be regulated.

Not only the programmers were diligent, also the coachbuilders got a lot of power when changing generations. The Korando has become six centimeters flatter, but has increased in length and width by four and in the wheelbase by two centimeters. Result: There is now a bit more space on all seats. In front you can tell that especially around the shoulders. In addition, the trunk has more volume. A plus of 65 liters, as a travel bag can pack more. The tailgate opens automatically, with no foolish pans on the foot, but whenever the driver stands behind the car for more than three seconds. Less practical is the comparatively high loading edge.

Take a look inside the Ssangyong Korando - with our 360 degree photo:

While the Korando impresses with all the electronic gadgets, it remains rather colorless when driving. The chassis is good-natured but not necessarily purposefully designed, the steering seems a bit imprecise and the automatic transmission dutiful at best. So drives the compact SUV of the competition with a 136 hp diesel significantly behind. Although developed the 1.6-liter four-cylinder after all, 320 Nm of torque and occurs correspondingly strong, but at overland speed, the acceleration is tough. If you just want to get from A to B, you are certainly satisfied. In addition, a leisurely pace when approaching the standard consumption of 5.5 liters helps.

You have to know: The Korando with the diesel generator tested here comes in these days in the trade and costs at least 25,990 euros. In November, Ssangyong is the second engine after a 1.6-liter gasoline. The car costs thus 3000 euros less, but promises a little more driving pleasure with 163 hp. Both engines are available for 2000 euros extra charge with all-wheel drive, and in each configuration for another 2200 euros also with a six-speed automatic transmission. Alternative drives are currently not planned. But at the end of next year, the first electric car from Ssangyong will debut. The E-model will use the technology of the Korando and reach up to 400 kilometers range, announces Ssangyong manager Mehling.

We will not forget that: The cacophony of tinkling, Gefiepe and Gepiepe, which is warned in the Korando against all sorts of supposed dangers. It also does not help that the driver can individually configure the sound of some alert tones, such as the mobile phone ringtone. The many assistance systems are simply too sensitive, so almost every sensor constantly sounds an alarm. What is meant well, then tilts into the opposite: Because in order to finally be able to travel in peace, one switches many systems without further ado - or just completely.

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