Overview

The SsangYong Rexton is a seven-seat, four-wheel drive, full-sized SUV designed to be a more affordable rival for the likes of the SEAT Tarraco and the Kia Sorento. When it was launched, SsangYong also said it was counting second-hand Land Rover Discoveries among the Rexton’s competitors, which shows you the sort of buyers the brand is targeting.

It’s based on the same underpinnings as the company’s Musso pick-up truck, which means it’s as strong as a draft horse. It can tow a massive 3.5 tonnes and it comes as standard with a low-ratio transfer box and clever off-road focused technology like hill descent control. However, as we’ll soon explain, its on-road performance isn’t great, which could limit its appeal.

Still, it is very well equipped. SsangYong has distilled the Rexton’s line-up down to two models called Ventura and Ultimate. The entry-level model features LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, electrically adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, dual-zone air-conditioning and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The equipment list doesn’t stop there, either. There’s an arsenal of safety equipment, such as hill-start assist, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and trailer sway control which can detect when your trailer is fish tailing and automatically counteract the motion. Prices start from £37,995, which is staggering value when you consider the amount of space and kit you get.

The flagship Ultimate variant has a starting price of £40,665. Upgrades over the base-model include posh Nappa leather upholstery, customisable LED cabin lighting and a larger 9.2-inch infotainment system with built-in TomTom navigation. You get a couple more safety systems, too, such as rear cross-traffic alert and a blind-spot monitoring system.

Over the next few pages, we’ll assess every aspect of the SsangYong Rexton, considering its practicality, interior quality, running costs and driving experience before offering our final verdict.