Ssangyong Korando E-Motion

It's the dawn of the new era for Ssangyong Motor under the new management of a certain Korean firm promising to transition the company in the age of electrification. With such rebirth comes the arrival of the first electric vehicle from Ssangyong; the Korando E-Motion. Let's find out what's it all about Ssangyong's first electric crossover that sparks the beginning of the new age of South Korea's SUV specialists.

2022 Ssangyong Korando E-Motion

2022 Ssangyong Korando E-Motion

The first-ever Ssangyong Korando E-Motion, priced at 38.8 Million Korean Won plus additional costs, showcased that for the revived Ssangyong under new ownership by a start-up Edison Motors, it's better late than never to join the electrification arms race, although none of the established Korean carmakers created electrified crossovers based on theirs, which makes the Korando E-Motion pretty much unrivaled at its own right.

2022 Ssangyong Korando E-Motion interior

While it looks nearly identical to the normal third-generation Korando crossover, the E-Motion features a grille-less front view for a sensible approach compared to electric cars sporting gargantuan faux grilles that spoil their credentials. It even comes with secret touch panels lurking through the side doors for gimmick purposes. Inside, it features blue accents to differentiate it from the normal Korando. Thanks to its clever handling with the electric powertrain, the E-Motion is still as roomy as the normal Korando and the boot space is nearly identical to the normal one as well, making it capable of all situations, be it for work or for leisure.

2022 Ssangyong Korando E-Motion

The Korando E-Motion's electric powertrain features a 61.5kWh Li-ion battery pack and an electric motor at the front generating 190PS of power and 360Nm of torque, making this FF-only crossover good for 307km in one full charge. As for charging times, it will take about 11 hours to charge at home or 80% in 33 minutes while charging at a 100kw charging station.

Because being front-wheel-drive only without some C3 Aircross-style trickery that gets you through dirty situations, the Korando E-Motion feels like it only works on the tarmac. Speaking of tarmac, the front MacPherson struts and rear multilink suspension made the Korando E-Motion behave like a European crossover rather than a Korean crossover, which is a good thing. Not exciting but it feels good to drive on a normal basis.

Boasting high-quality levels of safety, the Korando E-Motion features highly-advanced driving aids offered on a Ssangyong, including the highly intriguing but game-changing Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, giving this electric crossover a semi-autonomous approach that will make drivers noticed while driving on a freeway. It's a shocker but it's worth checking out.

Ssangyong Motor is now under new ownership with big electrified ambitions and this Korando E-Motion is the start of a new era. Although it lacks the attention of the established ones, it has the potential to impress Gen Z customers with its value for money. This is a budget-conscious electric crossover that meets the challenges of the new normal and it truly is a start for the new Ssangyong Motor. The joys of being Korean-owned.

Photo: Ssangyong Motor Company

Ssangyong Viewtiful Korando

Since 2011, Ssangyong revived the Korando as a crossover and marked a fresh new chapter for Korea's SUV specialist, under the rule of its current owner Mahindra. Although underperforming compared to the competition, the Korando crossover shows just how up-and-coming it may be and now, for 2019, the underclassman of the midsize crossover class has been regenerated while picking up where its predecessor left off.

2020 Ssangyong Korando

The new generation Ssangyong Korando is a fresh new take on the crossover that brought Ssangyong back to the spotlight under Mahindra ownership while staying true to its up-and-coming personality that charms customers who are not interested in established ones like Kia and Hyundai.

2020 Ssangyong Korando

On the design department, the new Korando borrows styling from its little brother, the Tivoli, while it's now surprisingly longer, wider, and lower than the previous model. Although it looks above regular for a crossover of that size, it truly blends through the daily commute like what a normal car should be.

2020 Ssangyong Korando interior

Thanks to its increased dimensions on the outside, the new Korando is now more roomier than the competition, meaning there's more room for your legs to breathe without having complaints about the extra load behind you, which is not bad for the Korando because of its luggage capacity which ranges from 551 litres with all seats, to 1,248 litres with the rear seats folded. Handy in the event of going out on the estate sale, road trip with your mates, moving day, and so on.

In more expensive variants, you will be greeted not by the optional sat-nav with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility but also the 10.25-inch high-tech instrumental panel that looks like it came from the pages of science fiction. This futuristic instrumental panel displays like the Audi Virtual Cockpit in so many ways and it's hard to differentiate it from the real thing but let's not get too jumpy on the high-tech stuff the Korando delivers because what's under the hood really matters.

2020 Ssangyong Korando

The new Korando is only available with the 1.6L e-XDi160 LET diesel engine mated to either a 6-speed MT or an AISIN 6-speed AT with paddle shifters which lets drivers in control with the gear change, which isn't half bad but somewhat regular when you toy around with it. The engine produces about 133PS of power and 33kg-m of torque. For front-wheel drive ones, combined fuel economy is around 15.2km/L with the manual gearbox while the 4WD variants get about 13.3km/L.

The 4WD system on the new Korando comes with a Drive Mode system which allows the Korando to be driven in different modes as well as setting the crossover to its 4WDLOCK feature for some off-road capability when needed. Although it wasn't as sophisticated as its more established ones, the new Korando sure knows how to keep up with the times ahead, whatever it takes, for good times and bad times.

While the new Korando is now more rigid than the previous model it replaces as well as having seven airbags all over, such wasn't enough because to be road-ready, you need to have safety features, and looks like the new model is prepared with a wide range of passive and active driving aids to ensure that it can get home unscathed.

The new Korando starts from 22,160,000 to 28,130,000 Korean Won, making it one of the most reasonably priced medium-sized crossovers you can buy. So, should you buy it or not? Although this is basically the underclassman of the medium-sized crossover class that makes it difficult to keep up with the established ones, the pricing, and the packaging makes the Korando a smart buy for first-time buyers as long as they don't have any regrets buying one.

Photo: Ssangyong Motor Company

Ssangyong Korando C (2017 minor change)

The Ssangyong Korando C crossover has been around the block for half a decade since its 2011 launch and followed by a minor change in 2013. For the second time, in this 2017 model year, Ssangyong's midsize crossover has been facelifted again to ensure its freshness while ringing the new year for the small South Korean car company that currently runs deep under Indian ownership.

2017 Ssangyong Korando C

2017 Ssangyong Korando C interior

For its latest minor change, the 2017 Korando C now features a redesigned front face that looks vaguely similar to the VW Tiguan for numerous reasons this crossover never understands why the rear view has been slightly revised. On the inside, it's been mildly revised with a brand new instrumental cluster that displays the car's information in real-time as well as the new steering wheel design, 7-inch color display, and Infinity Premium Surround Sound system for a clearer sound quality equivalent to what luxury cars had.

The new Korando C is now powered by the e-XDi220 diesel engine, which produces 178PS of power and 40.8kg-m of torque, while mated with a 6-speed gearbox, either manual or automatic. Apart from that, it's the first in class to offer a 180-degree safety camera while its combined use of the front and rear sensors and the rear camera has greatly improved to sense blind spots during parking or low-speed driving. Sounds handy for the unsung crossover that has been improved to keep it fresh for the new year.

The facelifted 2017 Korando C now starts at 22,430,000 Korean won for the entry-level KX model up to 28,770,000 for the range-topping DX variant. The Extreme Edition, meanwhile, starts at 26,490,000 Won, and it comes with special HID headlights, a blackened front grille, 18-inch wheels, and an LED lighting package.

Photo: Ssangyong Motor Company

Ssangyong New Korando C

With the arrival of the Chevrolet Trax crossover, and with the facelifts of the Kia Sportage R and Hyundai Tucson ix, it seems that the Ssangyong Korando C's getting through the times as the Mahindra-owned Korean car company introduces its minor change version of the crossover that pushed Ssangyong back again and keep on fighting.

2014 Ssangyong Korando C

So, ready for some 47 second science? Let's begin. New for the 2014 model year, the Korando C gained a brand new front view in which the head lamps look somewhat identical to the Korando Turismo (Rodius/Stavic) MPV. Well, nearly similar. Also, Ssangyong managed to revise the rear view and then, 18-inch alloy wheels are revamped to give the new facelift some taste in today's crossover trends. That sounds fine but I'm not quite happy about it, yet.

2014 Ssangyong Korando C interior

2014 Ssangyong Korando C interior

Also, the interior's now revised and what you can expect here is a new wooden trim, soft material at the top of the dashboard and depending on the grade, red leather seats. What's more is that the 2014 Korando C is overloaded with tech features made for the tech geeks such as a new multimedia system with a 7-inch touch screen, navigation system, Infinity audio system, keyless entry, and tire pressure monitoring system. Quite a crafty here for the new model though...

2014 Ssangyong Korando C

Of course, you can still expect a diesel-powered e-XDi200 LET engine on it, which develops about 155PS of power and 36.7kg-m of torque but what Ssangyong said that the new model is now more fuel-efficient than ever when set to its ECO MODE function, making it 12.8km/L of fuel economy for the FF model with the 6-speed automatic. With 6-speed MT standard, that makes it 17.2km/L of fuel economy.

For its pricing, the 2014 Korando C starts at 20,710,000 Korean Won for the CVS model with a manual gearbox up to 28,720,000 Korean Won for the top of the line CVX model with a 6-speed auto gearbox.

Scientific ideal is that while the 2014 Korando C adopts the slogan "Urban Adventure", it's made even more economical and more techie than ever but still, this is a crossover and it only behaves as a soft-roader like the others.

Available colors: Grand White, Pearl White Lily, Silent Silver, Sunrise Red, Cosmic Blue, Carbonic Grey, and Space Black.

Photo: Ssangyong Motor Company

Ssangyong Korando Turismo Chateau

Back in February, Ssangyong launched the Korando Turismo MPV which served as the replacement to the world's ugliest van of all time, the Rodius, and last time, I said that that it was too horrid in the driver's eyes and even horrid for those who owned one. Despite its terrible ugliness to this new model, it was the mix of interior space, practicality, and versatility that tempt buyers to buy one and ignore its horrid styling because the only reason why they bought one in the first place is that they need some people carriers to carry the whole family.

2014 Ssangyong Korando Turismo Chateau

Now, Ssangyong launched a luxurious variant of the Korando Turismo called the Chateau and what it is, which is a limousine version of the said model. Now, I know what you're thinking the word "limo" is applied only on stretched versions of 4-door saloons but this word applies to almost anything and the Chateau grade of the Korando Turismo fits the category. At first glance, it looks the same as the Korando Turismo, retaining the same horrid look that some say it's less horrid than the Rodius it replaces, except now has a high roof that looks like it's made for camping stuff. However, this car isn't made for camping, and what to expect from the high roof on it that looks like a THULE?

2014 Ssangyong Korando Turismo Chateau interior

Well, the reason why the Chateau has a high roof on the top is that it was accommodated by a well-tailored interior fit for a politician, even for Park Geun-Hye herself. This luxurious interior layout was accompanied by curtains, a refrigerator where to store your refreshments, a rear entertainment system (accompanied by a 20-inch monitor and JBL audio system) for the selfies who want to watch some movies on the go, stuff where you'll hang your clothes, and so much more concessions of comfort, fit for a Korean politician or a celeb alike. For the first time, this is the kind of Ssangyong built for those who want to be chauffeured but the Chairman W is not enough for them.

The Chateau, like the standard Korando Turismo, comes with the e-XDi200 diesel engine which produces 155PS of power while mated with a 5-speed auto and POWER 4WD. Fuel economy combined is 10.5km/L and it's available only in Fine Silver exterior color.

With prices starting at 46,900,000 Korean Won, that is somewhat much cheaper to buy than ultra-expensive Japanese MPVs such as the Toyota Alphard and the Nissan Elgrand and it's funny you should ask because the Ssangyong Korando Turismo Chateau is somewhat targeted against the Hyundai Grand Starex Limousine, which is a special vehicle model available by request.

Photo: Ssangyong Motor Company 

Ssangyong Korando Turismo

Back in 2004, Ssangyong launched a multipurpose vehicle that some say, would be the take against other popular people carriers made by top Korean carmakers. When the Rodius first launched, this was the first MPV from Ssangyong that some say captures the essence of a luxury car and the practicality of the multipurpose passenger vehicle. Sadly though when one man caught the attention of the Rodius, one comment spurred onto his mind...IT'S UGLY.

Yes, the Rodius is one ugly specimen built by the Koreans despite the fact that it was designed by a Brit. So ugly, it was named "the ugliest car ever made" according to CarData. Too many criticisms spurred about its hideous looks so in 2011, the Rodius was axed...but in the summer of 2012, it came back (oh no) and it comes with the e-XDi200 diesel engine that produces 155PS of power and is available in either a 6-speed MT or an E-Tronic Benz 5-speed AT.

After being on the block for 9 years, it seems that the Rodius finally gets a replacement and what could that be? Something that is better looking than the Rodius? Well, ladies and gents, Ssangyong's new MPV, the Korando Turismo, is the answer and...

2014 Ssangyong Korando Turismo

2014 Ssangyong Korando Turismo

...just as I thought. For a minivan that once "that looks like it got bottled in a pub brawl and stitched back together by a blind man", seems that the design flaw's getting worse than I expected. I mean look at the front view, that's not quite very nice. Another thing that is not nice is when someone's in a Speedo and middle-aged people started to scream and the police warned him of gross indecency. The new Korando Turismo though is just another gross indecency on the road ahead. Despite calling this a much-improved version of the Rodius it replaces, I wouldn't mind calling it another candidate for being "the worst car in the history of the world".

2014 Ssangyong Korando Turismo interior

2014 Ssangyong Korando Turismo interior

On the inside, heh, same old Rodius interior with the same old 11-seater capacity. Seems that there's nothing special about the new Korando Turismo's interior here but still, 11-seaters on a minivan is quite a rare feast for those who love people carriers. Imagine that, you can bring the whole family on a vacation trip to Jeju Island, take a ski trip to Pyeongchang, or cruise in style at Gangnam or whatever you want but in the Korando Turismo, I'm sorry to say that these don't work because it's still even uglier than the Rodius it replaces.

Powering the Korando Turismo is the same old e-XDi200 diesel engine as the old Rodius. You still expect the same 155HP of power output and the same transmission choices of either a 6-speed manual or an E-Tronic Benz 5-speed AT. In terms of driving feel, this is worse than I thought. Even though you are in a standard FR layout or with the 4WD layout, the feeling of driving a Korando Turismo is like something's bothering your ear. Feels like your ear's going to clog with some watery stuff and no matter how many times you're trying to unclog it with either your finger or a cotton swab, it clogs again. It's as difficult as pinching your pimples from your face until that yellowy stuff from your pimples is blown away.

So what we have here is a new MPV that looks even worse than the Rodius it replaces while retaining the same Rodius interior and the same engine that powers it but sadly though, this is not recommended for those who need clever sophistication. Besides, I wouldn't want one of these in my whole life unless someone's gonna use it for target practice in a remote province. The Korando Turismo from Ssangyong is horrid in the driver's eyes and even horrid for those who owned one. End of discussion.

AVAILABLE COLORS: Grand White, Space Black, Fine Silver, Cyber Gray, and Wine Black.

PRICE LIST:

코란도 투리스모 GT 2WD A/T - 29,480,000 Won
코란도 투리스모 GT 4WD A/T - 31,180,000  Won
코란도 투리스모 LT 2WD A/T - 26,770,000  Won
코란도 투리스모 LT 4WD A/T - 28,540,000  Won
코란도 투리스모 RT 2WD A/T - 33,940,000  Won
코란도 투리스모 RT 4WD A/T - 35,640,000 Won
코란도 투리스모 LT 2WD M/T - 24,800,000 Won

Photo: Ssangyong Motor Company

Ssangyong Korando C meets Sistar - It's C style!

The Ssangyong Korando C has been around since it was launched last year but the Mahindra-owned Korean carmaker really want to cut a mustard some more. We bumped to some latest TV ads for the Ssangyong Korando C featuring none other than Sistar, a K-POP female idol group that every K-POP fans are familiar of...

Yes I know, Korean cars and K-Pop don't mix, almost...

15-second version:


30-second version:

Ssangyong Korando Sports

The now Indian-owned Korean car company, Ssangyong, unexpectedly started the year 2012 with a new model that some say is the production version of the SUT-1 concept car. This is Korando Sports, the evolution of Korea's first pickup truck since the Musso Sports in 2001 and the Actyon Sports in 2006. However, the Korando Sports has no direct relation to the Korando C crossover SUV despite the naming.

2012 Ssangyong Korando Sports

Take a second look at the Korando Sports and you'll see that nearly most of the components were exactly the same as the SUT-1 Concept Car but this is just an Actyon Sports refreshed...or is that a facelift? Well, despite being a replacement for the Actyon Sports, the Korando Sports is just the same old Actyon Sports being sorted out and that's just rubbish. You can't pick a fight against the Volkswagen Amarok with that!

2012 Ssangyong Korando Sports

On the Korando Sports' interior, well that's a coincidence. This looks the same as the Actyon's interior! I mean yes, the dashboard's been derived from the Actyon but refined with a new instrumental panel, and air conditioning, and that's it. This pickup truck has room for five passengers and high-end versions do get an available DMB navigation system and USB connectivity.

2012 Ssangyong Korando Sports

The e-XDi200 engine that powers the Korando Sports produces 155PS of power output and 36.7kg•m of torque. 2WD AT variants can go up to 13.5km/L of fuel economy while 4WD AT variants promise about 12.8km/L of fuel economy. A Korando Sports with a 2WD layout and a 6-speed manual transmission can go as much as 15.6km/L of fuel economy.

For safety, the Korando Sports comes with Electronic Stability Program, a 4WD system that has three modes depending on road conditions, and Depowered airbags.

The Korando Sports has seven colors; Indian Red, Canyon Brown, Marble Grey, Space Black, Fine Silver, and Grand White.

My comment:

About the Korando Sports... Brakes are rubbish, Ride's rubbish, seats are rubbish, THAT'S RUBBISH... Honestly, I still prefer the Korando C SUV for my own tastes. This is a pickup truck that is made with no soul and no flair and oh no! That's horrible!

In terms of pricing, prices start at 20,410,000 Korean Won (about $18,000 or 800,000 Philippine Pesos) for the entry-level variant up to 27,230,000 Korean Won (about $24,000 or 1,050,000 Philippine Pesos) for the CX7 VISION variant, which makes the Korando Sports a very good value.

Photo: Ssangyong Motor Company

Ssangyong Korando C

2012 Ssangyong Korando C

The rebirth of Ssangyong is the time to rebirth a legendary name in the form of its new crossover look. The Korando name, stands for Korean Can Do, is now reborn and it's no longer a jeep form, it's now evolved into a Classy Utility Vehicle, designed and enhanced to topple against the Korean crossovers like the Hyundai Tucson iX, Kia Sportage R, and GM Korea's Chevrolet Orlando ALV. Don't call the new Korando C sexy nor smart. The C in the Korando C naming means "Classy", giving the concept term Classy Utility Vehicle come alive.

On its new look, the Korando C boasts a luxurious design that looks somewhat similar to Hyundai's Tucson iX and Kia's Sportage R, but its Classy detail is fit enough for the "classian" to get in. I'm impressed to see that the Korando C is no longer an ugly Korando in the past and now made even more stylish to meet the demands of style-worthy customers. On the inside, the new Korando C looks stylish, but it's pretty much more like the aging Super Rexton SUV. Despite that, this 21st Century Korando garnered some of the appeals from legendary designer, Giorgietto Giugiaro, making this reborn Korean crossover a world-class touch everyone deserves.

The new Korando C is powered with the new e-XDi200 engine. This new engine has a power output of either 175PS (manual variant) or 181 PS (auto variant), torque output of 36.7kg-m, and the class no. 1 fuel economy of 17.6km/L (2WD MT variant). With this fuel economy, I'm sure this will put the sexy Tucson and the smart Sportage to shambles. The reborn Korando made it more economical and finally garnered a status of being a Korean eco-car. Depending on the variant, two transmission types are offered to the Korando C; a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed E-tronic. The E-tronic variant uses shift-like dials on the steering wheel instead of paddle shifters. To shift down, press the "D-" button and to shift up, hit the "D+" button. First timers may find it hard to master this different E-tronic variant from the Korando C, but if they get a hang of it, it can be somewhat enjoyable. However, I still prefer the 6MT variant of the Korando C because with the 2WD and 6MT combined, this has the class-leading fuel economy.

The new Korando C comes in three types; Chic, Clubby, and Classy. Depending on the type, customers can choose either the 2.0L 2WD 6MT, 2.0L 2WD 6AT, 2.0L 4WD 6AT, or the 2.0L 4WD 6MT variant. It comes with seven exterior colors;

1) Space Black
2) Grand White
3) Silent Silver
4) Tonic Grey
5) Ice Blue
6) Vitamin Red
7) Sable Gray

My thoughts about the Korando C:
First encountered this 21st century Korando as the C200 concept in the past, debuted in February 22, 2011, and sales start early next month, the 21st century Korando marks the rebirth of Ssangyong Motor Company, after brinks of bankruptcy and now under Mahindra and Mahindra's control. It's good to say that if the Hyundai Tucson iX is sexy, and the Kia Sportage R is smart, the new Ssangyong Korando C is classy, as in "Classy Utility Vehicle" and its made for the upperclassmen who are in search for perfect crossovers. With class-leading fuel economy of 17.6km/L, the Ssangyong Korando's grand comeback staged victorious against those but is it worth the challenge? I hope someone compares these trio of Korean crossovers and decide if sexy, smart, or classy is the right thing when it comes to decide which Korean crossover will prevail, and with the Korando C, what new challenges will take on?

Photo: http://www.ajnews.co.kr/

Ssangyong Korando C is a CLASSY UTILITY VEHICLE?

Last 2009, Hyundai launched the second generation Tucson, called Tucson iX, which has a concept of "Sexy Utility Vehicle", because of its sexy yet feisty exterior, plus fully loaded with the new R-diesel engine.

Later on, last Spring 2010, Kia takes on Hyundai's sexy Tucson ix with the smartest crossover, the third-generation Sportage, dubbed as Sportage R, giving the concept "Smart Inside" because of its smart innovation, smart design, smart exterior, and a smarter diesel engine. (Gosh, I just hope the new Sportage should arrive the Philippines soon! This is taking too long!)

With the Tucson iX and Sportage R battling around the Korean market, another contender steps in and it's not sexy, not smart, only Classy...

That's right, this crossover is neither sexy nor smart. It's Classy. CLASSY! I said! The Classy Utility Vehicle slated for sale this Spring is the Ssangyong Korando C. After facing several delays due to Ssangyong tries to make part of its new owner, Mahindra and Mahinda, an Indian automobile. With the prelaunching TV CF aired on some South Korean networks, needless to say that the "C" in the Korando C name really stands for "Classy", giving it a luxurious status for the owners.

Slated to be released in late February and sales start this early March, the Korando C is the new premium of the Korean crossovers. It's classy status giving it more of a touch of class.

Which would you prefer? The sexy Tucson ix? The smart Sportage R? Or the classy Korando C?