The Korando has a relaxed and comfortable car-like ride, while also carrying over a tonne weight on its load deck
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- Well obviously the price for starters. The lower spec SX weighs in at just £14,995 ex-VAT and even that model has a fair amount of kit as standard. It even undercuts (by £3 admittedly) the rival Great Wall Steed but having tested a Steed lately we reckon the ride and handling of the Korando is better – less jarring on bumpy roads.
- The looks of this truck are a real American-Oriental fusion – rather like putting a hamburger and a plate of chowmein in a blender. We weren’t sure at first glance but after 10 minutes of squinting and chin rubbing we finally decided that Mr Businessvans.co.uk, he say Yeah!
- Look at that spec. Blimey! We’d hate to imagine what a Volkswagen Amarok would cost loaded down with all that lot. Admittedly the Amarok has a much more upmarket quality feel to it in most departments, but if you are buying these trucks for someone else to drive and they don’t suddenly fall to bits after the warranty expires, you’ll be quids in opting for the SsangYong.
- We were a tad concerned before our test drive about what this engine would be like. After all, our past experience of Mahindra machinery hasn’t exactly been one of smoothness and reliability. In the event we were well pleased. The powerplant fires up smoothly and quietly and underway, there was no rattling and clonking as with diesel engines of yore. The max torque figure comes in at a low 1,500rpm, which gives this truck a great turn of speed at low revs. Sadly our test drive took place in and around the Ace Cafe on London’s North Circular road – not exactly the best place to test an off-road truck – but we have no reason to believe it won’t perform as well in the dirt as on the roads.
- You can’t knock the importer, SsangYong UK, for its stance on the warranty. An awful lot of damage can be done to a commercial vehicle in the course of five years and an unlimited mileage and we hope they haven’t bitten off more than they can chew. The rival Great Wall Steed has a six-year warranty but it’s capped at 125,000 miles.
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