SsangYong Korando performance is adequate if you can put up with all that noise. All Korandos, whether they are four-wheel drive or two-wheel drive, have a 2.0-litre diesel engine under the bonnet. It outputs 173bhp, which is delivered at 4,000rpm. The engine is noisy with an unpleasant clatter that dissipates on motorways, but like all diesels it’s the torque that matters. Because the Korando has a hearty 360Nm of pull it can tow a mighty two tonnes.

Choice of two gearboxes

You can either have the Korando with a six-speed manual gearbox, or a six-speed auto. With a manual gearbox it will get from a standstill to 60mph in just 10 seconds. If you opt for the auto it’ll take you 0.8 seconds longer to get to the standard acceleration benchmark but it’ll go all the way up to 116mph, whereas the manual will reach its maximum velocity at 112mph.

Substantial and utilitarian on the road

In reality the Korando isn’t too bad – it’s not massively responsive but it’s better than say, a Hyundai ix35, which in terms of power falls short by 39bhp. If you are brutal with the Korando’s throttle it will reward you with a fairly satisfying shove in the back but you really have to delay your up-changes to keep up the momentum and it does wane up hills. Don’t expect to be zipping about the city streets in it either – it’s still too much of a beast for that – and bringing it to a halt in a hurry is much like trying to stop an errant grand piano. The manual gearbox is fine for day-to-day driving but it does have a notchy shift. The six-speed automatic gearbox is not the best. It has an unnerving tendency to pause before engaging, and sometimes drops into gear with a thud. It does, however, make the Korando easy to drive – even in traffic. Four-wheel drive versions provide plenty of traction for off-road use.

This is where things go awry. If you want driving pleasure from your Korando you’ll be sorely disappointed because the fact is, you won’t get any. Get on to a winding B-road the driving experience never fails to underwhelm: point the Korando into a sweeping corner and the nose will lunge forward, the body will list and only a distinct lift off the accelerator will get you back on line.

It’s not a pleasant experience and it is, unfortunately, mostly notable for its limited grip. The steering, while well-weighted, is acceptable around town but at speed you’ll find yourself meandering around even the mildest of corners to prevent the over-corrections necessary to deal with the wayward handling. The controls don’t do you many favours either: steering feel is non-existent and rubbery, the gearchange is notchy and although the brakes are good enough, the nose-heavy Korando requires plenty of planning before you can bring it to a standstill.