First Look & Test Drive the all new 2011 SsangYong Korando

On 8th July 2011, T.C.Y Motors Sdn Bhd sole distributor of SsangYong in Brunei Darussalam has revealed the all new SsangYong Korando to the local Medias and Press. This is the fourth generation of the SsangYong crossover since its first debut in 1983. The all new Korando has seriously undergone major rework on the exterior and the interior design of the car.


For starters, the exterior has been designed by Car Designer of the Century, Giorgetto Giugiaro. The whole new look of the Korando features clean European design aesthetics and a Monocoque construction which a first for the car maker which has traditionally used ladder-rack chassis architecture. This is no doubt the biggest changes to the Korando line-up since its Jeep shaped designed from the previous 3 generation. The Korando certainly looks lovely and on par with most crossovers we have seen so far.



There are two versions of the SsangYong Korando; Full time Awd and the second is the 2wd version. One of the key strength of the Korando is the diesel engines used to power the vehicle. The all new Korando offers a high performance yet economical turbocharged diesel e-XDi200 engine matched with E-Tronic 6-speed automatic gearbox. This 2.0 litre diesel engine provides maximum output of 175PS and maximum torque of 360Nm which is 20% improvement over the previous model. The combination of the engine and the gearbox results in combined cycle fuel economy of 47mpg and low CO2 emissions of 157g/km.


Our test drive started at the T.C.Y Motors showroom in Kiarong, travelling along the narrow winding road of Kg Beribi and stopping by Tungku beach for a short off-road driving experience. First of all, the cabin is spacious with plenty of storage compartments and ergonomically well designed. The interior of the Korando has been refined with a focus on comfort and functionality. The seats are soft and it comes only in fabric upholstery. On board entertainment includes an MP3 CD player with AUX port & USB memory slot. The Korando can carry up to 5 passengers and having an ample rear boot space is another tick for the car.


The first thing we have noticed about the new Korando is the gear shifter placement on the steering wheel. The Korando uses a “thumbs up manual mode” buttons placed on the steering wheel instead of the occasional pedal shifters normally located just behind the top left & right of the steering wheel.


The narrow winding & slightly hilly road of Kg Beribi is where we have tested out the Korando road handling capabilities. The Korando handles corner like a charm and the suspension felt solid yet comfortable even stumbled upon wavy pavements. The turbocharged diesel engine gives out plenty of torque once the turbocharged starts to kick in which makes going up the hilly side of the road pretty easily. Engine noise however is slightly apparent on this model but unnoticeable during constant cruising speed. Braking feels sharp and spot on thanks to the front ventilated disc brakes and rear disc brakes.


The Korando is well equipped with climate control air conditioning, ECO cruise control, ESP, ABS with EBD (Electronic brakeforce distribution) and Hill start assist. The Korando comes with a number of active and passive safety features to help driver and passengers safe. It has dual airbags, anti roll over protection, ISOFIX car seat mounting system and ESS (Emergency Stop Signal).


The new Korando is definitely a good crossover to begin with, modern European design, powerful yet efficient engine and roomy interior. If you are looking for a good entry level crossover without breaking the bank, then the new Korando is worth a look.

For more information on the new Korando. Check it out at T.C.Y Motors showroom in Kiarong.