Ssangyong Kyron M200 Xdi

The Age

Saturday January 26, 2008

Cameron McGavin

Despite its off-road ability, this revised Kyron four-wheel-drive fails to charm Cameron McGavin.

Ssangyong Kyron M200 XDI 2/5

HOW MUCH? $32,990 (man) or $35,990 (auto).

ENGINE: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel. 104 kW/310 Nm.

WHAT'S IT GOT? Twin front airbags (side/curtain airbags optional), anti-lock brakes, rear parking sensors, air-conditioning, power windows and heated mirrors, cruise control, remote locking, CD player, leather-shod multi-function steering wheel, 12-volt outlet, four cup holders, 18-inch alloy wheels, engine immobiliser and alarm, 3 years/100,000 km warranty.

FOR: Sharp price, diesel engine is strong and efficient, real off-road ability.

AGAINST: Disappointing auto, soggy handling, wobbly ride, stability control not available, cabin lacks design flair, space inefficiency and lack of small-item storage nooks.

SSANGYONG might no longer be a newcomer to the Australian market,

but widespread recognition has so far been elusive. Sure, Korea's third-largest manufacturer has struck the odd sweet note in some market segments, but its presence is sorely missing from many more.

Mediocre products haven't helped the cause. However, SsangYong continues to chip away at the task and buyers now have a revised version of the Kyron

four-wheel-drive to ponder. It picks up a host of changes - from a cleaner diesel engine that meets the latest Euro IV emissions standards to improved styling.

WHAT DO YOU GET?

The revised Kyron is largely the same 4WD as the original launched early in 2006, but new headlights, grille and bonnet give it a vague Mercedes ML character when viewed from the front - something that is unlikely to upset many potential buyers - and the frumpy tail has been smoothed.

SsangYong hasn't abandoned its value-for-money stance though.

The base M200 Xdi 2.5-litre turbo-diesel starts at $32,990 for the manual (we tested the $35,990 auto) and gets air-conditioning, power windows, power heated mirrors, cruise control, CD player, leather-shod multi-function steering wheel, alarm and 18-inch wheels, making it competitive with value-oriented rivals such as Kia's Sorento and Hyundai's Santa Fe.

Also available is the M270 Xdi, which starts at $35,990 and brings a bigger 2.7-litre diesel engine, more toys and more safety gear.

HOW SAFE?

The M200 Xdi gets only the basics - twin front airbags and ABS with electronic brake force distribution - but then so do other similarly priced rivals.

Where the SsangYong really falls short, however, is further up the range. While rivals add side/curtain airbags and stability/traction control, the Kyron offers the former but can't be had with the latter at any price.

In today's safety-conscious age, that's a big black mark.

WHAT'S INSIDE

SsangYong has been busy here. While the basic architecture is carried over, the revised dash and instruments, new multi-function steering wheel and new all-black colour combo (in place of grey) lend a more sophisticated and contemporary air. Like most Korean cars these days, everything seems well screwed together.

While initial impressions of the Kyron are positive, it doesn't take long to uncover shortcomings.

Storage for small items is scant - although you do get handy underfloor storage in the boot - the door pockets don't accept bottles and the stereo can't connect with an iPod or MP3 player, but at least it sounds OK.

Front-seat comfort, meanwhile, is mediocre. The seats might provide basic comfort and support but the lack of steering wheel reach adjustment forces tall drivers to adopt a hunched driving position. Not good if you've got a bad back.

Bigger occupants won't find the back seat particularly inviting either, although those of smaller stature should be fine.

Good boot space is bolstered by the seat's easy-to-use split-fold facility.

UNDER THE BONNET

The M200 Xdi's 104 kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel is up to date in terms of technology but smaller than the diesels in some rivals. As such, it lacks punch but is effortlessly flexible in general driving and gets along pretty well.

It's also smoother and quieter than many diesels, although it's predictably noisy when idling or cold.

Less endearing is the five-speed auto. The shifts are smooth but slow, while the ultra-keen kickdown keeps the engine revving when it really would be better to hold the gear and rely on the strong low-rev pull.

We also couldn't match SsangYong's 8.8 L/100 km economy claim for the auto, but our 10.0 L/100 km test average was still enough for a 700 km-plus range from the 75-litre tank.

ON THE ROAD

Unlike most rivals in its price bracket - and like Kia's rival Sorento - the Kyron is a proper heavy-duty 4WD rather than the more fashionable soft-roader variety. So you get proper low-range gearing, decent off-road ability and a hefty 2300 kg towing capacity.

On the other hand, you're looking at something that's well and truly behind the eight ball on the road. SsangYong has fiddled with the suspension for crisper handling and better ride quality, but this claim can only be relative.

While the Kyron is sufficiently manoeuvrable around town, quiet on the highway and the ride compliant, vague steering, slow responses and plenty of body roll mean it's far from reassuring on the open road.

VERDICT

The Kyron isn't without its charms but in the final wash-up it falls short. While its diesel engine, value and real off-road ability are undeniable attractions, it could be better in many ways - from its mediocre road manners and disappointing automatic to its last-century cabin packaging and lack of stability control.

Ultimately, a soft-roader is going to be the much smarter option for all but serious off-road driving.

And even if that were on the agenda, I'd be more inclined to put my money on something like a Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe.

THE COMPETITION

DODGE NITRO SX CRD

HOW MUCH? From $40,490.

ENGINE: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel. 130 kW/460 Nm.

SAFETY: Not NCAP rated. Six airbags, stability/traction control, rear parking sensors, ABS.

WHAT'S IT GOT? Air-conditioning, power windows and heated mirrors,

cruise control, remote locking, six-stack CD player, 16-inch alloy wheels, alarm.

FOR: Hummer-on-a-budget style, lots of toys, cabin is roomy and well

thought-out, strong safety.

AGAINST: Diesel engine is coarse and laggy, bouncy ride, sub-par dynamics,

not a serious off-roader, cabin looks and feels cheap.

OUR SCORE: 3/5

HYUNDAI SANTA FE SX CRDi

HOW MUCH? From $36,990.

ENGINE: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel. 114 kW/343 Nm.

SAFETY: Four-star NCAP rating. Two airbags, ABS, EBD.

WHAT'S IT GOT? Air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors, cruise control,

remote locking, CD player, 17-inch alloy wheels.

FOR: Spacious and flexible cabin, good ride and refinement, well equipped,

big warranty, stability control and side/curtain airbags available (but not on this model).

AGAINST: Still uninspiring to drive, front seats lack support.

OUR SCORE: 4/5

KIA SORENTO LX CRDi

HOW MUCH? From $34,990.

ENGINE: 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel. 125 kW/392 Nm.

SAFETY: Four-star NCAP rating. Two airbags, ABS, EBD.

WHAT'S IT GOT? Air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors, trip computer, remote locking, CD player, 16-inch alloy wheels.

FOR: Diesel power plant is strong and economical, sharp value, real off-road ability, stability control and side/curtain airbags available (but not on this model).

AGAINST: Wobbly handling, vague steering, shuddery ride, old-school cabin packaging and presentation.

OUR SCORE: 3/5

© 2008 The Age

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