Used SsangYong Turismo for sale: everything you need to know

The SsangYong Turismo was launched in 2012 and replaced the old and ungainly Rodius. While it’s not a looker, it’s better than its predecessor and still offers the same qualities; namely, an enormous amount of space for very little money.

As a used buy the Turismo benefits from the fact it was so affordable new, since even fairly recent models can be bought for the kind of money that would get you something much older and more heavily-used from a more prestigious brand. It’s got seven proper seats and will cost you the same as a few-year-old supermini, and you can’t ask for much more than that.

The Hyundai i800 is similarly strong value, while van-based alternatives like the Volkswagen Caravelle and Ford Tourneo Custom are better to drive but also more expensive, like-for-like. Conventional people-carriers like the Ford Galaxy meanwhile are more stylish but ultimately not as big and practical.

Should you buy a SsangYong Turismo?

Some cars you might buy for the way they look, others for the way they drive. The SsangYong Turismo you buy because it’s massive and doesn’t cost very much, which maybe aren’t the most exciting factors in choosing a car, but for some buyers will matter a great deal.

As will the standard fitment of seven proper seats, something you really have to look at van-based MPVs like the Volkswagen Caravelle to get these days, and a used Turismo is far, far cheaper than a used Caravelle of equivalent age.

It’s enough to forgive the SsangYong Turismo almost anything. It’s no looker (though it’s a lot easier on the eye than the SsangYong Rodius it replaced), the cabin design is a bit naff and plasticky, and it’s slow and ponderous to drive. It doesn’t ride brilliantly either and the diesel engines are coarse - but again, just look at how much car you’re getting for the money.

Factor in that the value proposition is even better as a used model than it was when new, thanks to pretty savage depreciation, and if you’re purely looking to buy something big, practical, and easy if not interesting to drive, then the Turismo should probably be on your shortlist.

We’ve already mentioned the Caravelle, but other large, multi-seat vehicles that you might want to consider are the Ford Tourneo Custom, conventional MPVs like the SEAT Alhambra and Ford Galaxy, and also the oft-forgotten Hyundai i800, another absolutely enormous Korean people-mover you can find for surprisingly little money.

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What’s the best used SsangYong Turismo model to buy?

If you really want to maximise what the SsangYong Turismo has to offer then we’d point you in the direction of the top-of-the-range ELX. It got as much equipment as SsangYong was prepared to throw at it, from a touchscreen infotainment system to a reversing camera and a heated windscreen, but it also came only in automatic and 4x4 form. If all this sounds a little excessive, just check out the prices - there aren’t many other recent cars this big for such little money.

Later models also benefit from a 2.2-litre diesel engine which is more powerful than the earlier 2-litre, and a little smoother too. It’s the obvious one to go for if it’s in budget.

Used SsangYong Turismo economy and performance

• SsangYong Turismo 2.2 Diesel: Early Turismo models were offered with a 2-litre diesel but this 2.2 replaced it in 2016. It made 178PS (up from 155PS) and was available with either a manual or automatic transmission. Ssangyong didn’t publish acceleration figures, but it was capable of around 39mpg combined in manual form and 37mpg as an automatic. Most models were two-wheel drive, with ELX versions offered as a 4x4.

What used SsangYong Turismo trim levels are available?

SsangYong chopped and changed its trim levels over the years but the three below are representative of those you’ll find on the used market. The basic SE looks a little mean with equipment and only the ELX has a touchscreen infotainment system, but the value here is more in the Turismo’s sheer size than in a well-stocked kit list.

• The SsangYong Turismo SE got seven seats as standard, plus driver seat height adjustment, a leather steering wheel and gearknob, keyless entry, electric heated door mirrors, air conditioning, an audio system with CD, RDS radio, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, and 16-inch steel wheels.
• The SsangYong Turismo EX added electric driver seat adjustment, leather seats, front seat heaters, privacy glass, cruise control, parking sensors at the rear, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
• The SsangYong Turismo ELX was as per the EX plus a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system incorporating a reversing camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, auto lights and wipers, and a heated lower front windscreen. ELX was also the only model offered in 4x4 form.

Used SsangYong Turismo dimensions and boot size

The SsangYong Turismo’s dimensions are:

• Length: 5130mm
• Width: 1915mm (without mirrors)
• Height: 1850mm

The SsangYong Turismo’s boot size is:

• 875 litres
• 3146 litres with both rear rows folded

Used SsangYongTurismo road tax

Post-April 2017 Turismos will cost a flat rate currently set at £180 per year to tax, while models registered prior to this are more expensive thanks to an unimpressive 212g/km CO2 rating; that’s enough to currently attract an annual bill of £395, and another reason to go for the later 2.2-litre car.

How much is it to insure a SsangYong Turismo?

Of the later 2.2-litre models covered here, insurance starts in group 34, but only rises to group 36 for the top-spec ELX with the automatic gearbox and all-wheel drives. Some earlier Turismos may be cheaper to insure though, making up for their higher tax rating - a 2-litre diesel in S trim starts in group 27. Those ratings are similar to what you’d find with a Caravelle or Hyundai i800.

Read our full SsangYong Turismo review