SsangYong Turismo Review

If you want the biggest family people carrier for your money, the Turismo ticks a lot of boxes. While it has its flaws and it’s no looker, we can’t argue with the sheer amount of space the SsangYong gives you. And it’s cheap. Extremely cheap when you compare it to something like the Ford Galaxy, which isn’t as big.

The Turismo makes an ideal workhorse as a taxi and as a car for big families. The fact it’s a genuine seven-seater (as in grown-ups can actually use all the seats) makes it rare this side of anything like a Volkswagen Caravelle.

If you’re not bothered about badge status (and can live with the bulky looks) the Turismo is actually something of a hidden gem. It’s hugely spacious inside, while the fact it’s so cheap makes it a bit of a bargain as a used buy.

The basic Turismo S models are certainly good if you want a proper bargain basement choice but they are few and far between. EX models were the top variant and you’ll find more of these around but it’s the even higher spec ELX which came along in mid-2018 which is the one to go for. 

The ELX comes with everything SsangYong could throw at it such as selectable four-wheel drive, a seven-speed automatic, heated seats plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with a reversing camera. Which is handy given how huge this thing is. Whatever model you go for, avoid anything manual and stick to an automatic.

Neither engine is brilliant but the original 2.0-litre diesel was particularly noisy and coarse. Look for the slightly better 2.2-litre introduced in 2016.

Big and boxy people carriers are rare these days, so for an equally large alternative you’d have to look at something like the Chrysler Grand Voyager, but that went off sale in 2015 and has an atrocious reliability record. It’s best avoided. 

If it’s space you want, something van-based like the Hyundai i800 will fit the bill and is close on price too. Others like the Ford Tourneo Custom or Volkswagen Caravelle cost considerably more. There are still, of course, conventional MPVs like the SEAT Alhambra and Ford Galaxy, but again, they will cost more for something similar in age. The Turismo has price and space on its side here.

There’s no surprise to find this is an area the Turismo struggles in. But this is all about expectations. Compare the SsangYong Turismo to something like a Ford Galaxy or a Volkswagen Sharan and it looks way off the pace, but then this is a far cheaper MPV.

We have no qualms about the finish. While the Turismo feels dated and a bit low budget inside, it’s well screwed together. This is no flimsy people carrier that will fall apart. Indeed, from 2018, the Turismo comes with a seven-year warranty, so SsangYong must have some confidence in its cars.

Yes, all the materials feel like they’re from something that was launched in the last century, but it’s acceptable for a car at this price. There are some soft-touch materials but lower down this turns into scratchy plastic while the aforementioned silver plasticky trim harks of trying to distract from the fact it’s all a bit cheap.

To keep costs down, SsangYong has fitted the Turismo with an aftermarket Kenwood infotainment system. Again it feels pretty dated (there’s a theme developing here) but it does the job, albeit in a clunky manner.

It’s not the nicest looking of things nor is it especially intuitive to use. S models don’t even get this, sticking with a basic CD player (remember those) with an iPod connector. 

The newer ELX model is better and at least makes an attempt at modernity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can hook your phone up and bypass the system, instead using things like Spotify for music, Audible for books and Google Maps for navigation.

We may have been negative so far, but when it comes to space and practicality, the Turismo excels. If this is what you want from an MPV, look no further. For starters, this is a proper seven-seater. And we mean proper. You’d have to go for a van-based thing like a Volkswagen Caravelle or similar to get this much space.

So seven adults can genuinely travel together in the Turismo and not feel like they’re getting overly familiar with the person next to them. The layout is a little unusual for an MPV. SsangYong gives you two seats in the front and middle, and then three right at the back (as opposed to the three usually being in the middle row).

It works though and the two armchair seats in the middle row are probably the best seats in the house. Given that these are used the most, it actually makes a lot of sense. 

This layout means getting to the back row is relatively easy. Unlike smaller MPVs, you don’t have to be some sort of Houdini impersonator to get back here. It means that if you have growing teenagers, they can actually get to the back and sit there in comfort. Both back rows slide forward and back to give more legroom if needed.

Lots of onboard storage makes the Turismo great for family life. Things like the picnic tables will always keep younger kids happy and there are lots of bottle holders, handy pockets and little cubby holes dotted around. Our favourite is the huge storage bin hidden between the front seats.

The Turismo may be five metres long, but it still manages to fit a lot into that space. Even with the rear seats up there are 875 litres of useful boot that will easily handle luggage and a pushchair. You can turn the Turismo into a small van if you fold all the seats down. You can even take the rear seats out, although they’re heavy and awkward to move.

The Turismo originally had a 2.0-litre diesel engine that was hardly the best. Like the rest of the car it was dated and pretty unrefined. It does have 155PS along with 360Nm of torque but it never offers anything more than leisurely pace and is distinctly rough and ready.

Much better is the 2.2-litre diesel that was introduced in 2016 and while not up to the standard of modern diesels, it’s at least an improvement. Again, don’t expect whisper quiet performance, but it at least makes an attempt at being a bit quieter. 

With more power - up to 178PS and 400Nm - it feels significantly stronger, especially when the thing is full of people and luggage. It’s still not exactly quick, but at least feels like it now has more get up and go than a pensioner with a cold.

Cheaper models come with a six-speed manual gearbox which does the job, but we’d look for the automatic which is much better suited to a big car like the Turismo. It’s a Mercedes sourced gearbox and one of the strengths of the SsangYong, with smooth if not especially quick changes. Early models were a five-speed but later versions got an improved seven-speed.

We’ve mentioned how the unsophisticated suspension transfers thuds into the cabin when you hit a pothole and unfortunately the whole driving experience of the Turismo is all a bit noisy. Both engines are loud, especially if you ask for any sort of meaningful acceleration and it’s not even a pleasant engine sound.

The Turismo is much happier on a smooth motorway (few and far between) where the suspension settles down and the SsangYong feels quite comfortable. Sadly this brings more issues - noise. That boxy shape means lots of wind noise while a lack of sound insulation means intrusive road and tyre noise too.

The Turismo hasn’t been tested by Euro NCAP and it would unlikely get a five-star rating but there’s all the safety kit you’d expect. All models get dual front airbags and side airbags, ESP stability control, active rollover protection and a brake assist system. If you’re fitting child seats there are Isofix mounts on the two seats in the middle row (although none in the three rear seats).

When it comes to structural safety, SsangYong points to two high strength subframes on the front and rear of the car. These are designed to disperse the shock of an impact and minimise cabin distortion.

The cheaper Turismo models sit in group 27 for insurance with the EX models group 34 and the top ELX 4WD a group 36. That’s about average for a big people carrier and similar to rivals like the Hyundai i800 and the van-based (but considerably more expensive) Volkswagen Caravelle.  

Smaller MPVs like the Ford Galaxy are cheaper to insure (some as low as group 17) but then don’t have the space of the Turismo.

With high CO2 emissions from its diesel engines, older Turismo models can incur high road tax. If you go for a model registered before April 2017, it will fall under the older VED system which was based on emissions.

With CO2 of around 200g/km, the Turismo is either a Band J or K for tax so you’ll be paying more than £300 a year in VED. Ouch indeed. For models registered after April 2017, this falls to the flat rate of £150 so if you’re debating whether to get that 17-plate model, this may make up your mind.

At least you don’t have to worry about having to pay the extra showroom tax for vehicles with a list price of more than £40k.

Standard equipment on the basic Turismo includes air conditioning, electric heated door mirrors, leather steering wheel and gear lever, Bluetooth plus a USB and aux-in port. It does the job but unless you’re on a really strict budget, look for an ES. 

This adds leather upholstery, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats and rear parking sensors while the top EX has a heated lower windscreen to prevent the wipers from freezing, solar controlled glass and rain sensitive wipers.

The trims were changed in 2016 and S, ES and EX were replaced with SE, EX and a new high spec ELX model. This is the one to seek out as it gets cruise control, parking sensors, privacy glass, 16-inch alloys and heated front seats. It also has Bluetooth, DAB, Apple Carplay and Android Auto plus a rear view camera.

Look out for the special Black and White editions which were based on the ELX and get a dark grey interior with new style seating and a heated steering wheel.