SsangYong Rexton W (2013-2017) Review

Admittedly, the layout is old-fashioned and drab, with an uninspired centre stack and dull-looking plastics, but there is a new soft-touch dash covering. What’s more, everything feels pretty durable and, for this price, you’d hardly expect Audi-style panache and execution.

It's a lot of SUV for the money even when compared with traditional value for money rivals like the Kia Sorento or Mitsubishi Shogun and alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee, it's very cheap. 

All models get selectable low and high range all-wheel drive and that paired with the ladder frame chassis makes the Rexton W a genuinely capable off-roader. Snowy roads, damp field or a rutted track should be no problem at all. However, for most, on-road manners matter more than off-road ability and in that regard the Rexton is unremarkable. Its low-geared steering feels a little ponderous and can be disconcerting for the first few miles. There’s also noticeable body roll at higher cornering speeds.

It’s not all bad though. The ride quality is acceptable over rough roads while refinement, although far from brilliant, is fine. The engine grumbles away audibly but wind noise is minimal. There’s nothing unbearable about the way the Rexton W drives, there’s just nothing to get excited over.

All Rexton W models come with a decent level of standard equipment, including cruise control, air conditioning, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, heated door mirrors, plus safety gear like hill descent control. Upper EX models, priced from £24,495 when new, get extras including rear parking sensors, leather upholstery and electrically adjustable seats.

The options list has a few tempting items, like a dealer-fit tow bar and electronics - the Rexton W has a 3000kg braked tow weight rating so it's ideal for towing. Indeed caravan owners are a key market for SsangYong.

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However, the back row is accessed by tumbling forward the middle seats, which is fairly easy but requires some strength and the use of both hands. Once they’re out of the way access to the back pair of seats is easy, although it’s best suited to children.

The boot is quite big with the back row folded, but it’s also awkward to access because of the very high boot floor. If you needed to load or unload something particularly bulky or heavy it’d be very tricky and you'd struggle to convince a dog to jump in without a helping hand. Additionally the load deck isn't completely flat, and that makes it hard to remove large items without them catching and snagging.

Economy is acceptable with emissions of 196g/km for the manual and 206g/km for the auto, while official economy is 38.2mpg and 36.2mpg, respectively. That's not great compared to a typical family car, but it's pretty much on par with other large 4x4s.

The engine is best suited to the automatic gearbox, which is a five-speed torque convertor. It’s smooth and tends to do what you want it to without too much trouble – it’s even decent off-road, thanks in part to a manual override setting for holding onto lower gears.

Officially, it returns 38.2mpg with the former and 36.2mpg with the latter. CO2 emissions are 196g/km and 206g/km respectively.

EX trim adds 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, electrically adjustable driver's seat with memory function, solar controlled glass, rear privacy glass, rear parking sensors, side steps.