SsangYong returns with a Tour de Force

 

Photos by Ardie O. Lopez

 

After a long absence from the Philippine automotive industry, Korean auto brand SsangYong has returned, and is looking like it spent the time really well to prepare for its major comeback.

 

It’s an impending resurgence with a vengeance, one could say, as three of their brand-spanking new nameplates—the Rodius, Korando and Tivoli—dashed from Manila to Mariveles, Bataan, and back, in a tight convoy piloted by a delighted group of local motoring journalists.

 

Fresh from being launched at the recent Manila International Auto Show, this was Ssang-Yong’s first ever drive event, which explains the excitement of its managing director, David Macasadia.

 

Reinvigoration

The SsangYong of a few decades past was beset with problems, and its bowing out adversely affected its reputation. But now that its exclusive distributorship in the country is under Berjaya Auto Philippines, the outlook is definitely on the bright side, especially since BAP is also the distributor of Mazda in the Philippines—and is doing very well.

 

While that major development alone should be enough to quell whatever doubts and questions that were left by SsangYong in the past, the new vehicles lined up helped reinforced the Korean company’s intentions in the Philippines.

 

According to “Mr. Mac” Macasadia, SsangYong has been known for its resiliency, having been in the auto manufacturing business for over 60 years.

 

In those years, the brand kept up with the latest technological and engineering advancements, improved its quality and design, and evolved with the times.

 

Now that its Korean counterparts in the industry have also transcended their pasts’ negatives, and have become reputable and quite sellable, SsangYong’s move is to be different—as their hashtag sounds it off: #drivedifferent.

 

Uniquely satisfying

Twenty one motoring journalists assigned to six cars headed out to a relatively easy-to -reach destination, albeit an uncommon one by the usual far-flung drive event standards.

 

The route to Mariveles, Bataan, covering a total of 420 kilometers round trip, was chosen to showcase the vehicles not only as very viable city rides with the modest displacements of their various engines, but also as pleasurable vehicles to drive.

 

Though route stops were designated to shift driver duties, these were spaced considerably far apart so that each driver got a good feel of his ride.

 

I was privileged to get first crack at a special variant of the Tivoli compact Crossover, the 1.6-liter diesel engine powered Tivoli XLV.

 

SsangYong is holding off its release for either late June or July this year, but Mr. Mac insisted that it be included in the convoy so he could get early feedback for it.

Hands down, the Tivoli was the eye-catcher of the convoy with its glossy flaming red color and huge 18-inch alloy rims, on top of its radical design, of course.

 

The regular SsangYong Tivoli is an aesthetic amalgam of design cues from several vehicles which, intended or not, worked quite well: a roofline that sort of reminds you of the Land Rover Evoque, a profile like a larger MINI, rear haunches and tail light clusters reminiscent of the Nissan Juke’s, and well, the stance of a chunkier Kia Soul.

 

Definitely this observation is meant as praise, as it’s quite an achievement making that combination work.

The Tivoli XLV, compared with its gasoline-fed sibling, is about 30 cm longer—which allows it space for a rear quarter window, and well, considerably more legroom for everyone, especially in the rear.

 

Its sporty red and black interior motif is striking, and its design and ergonomics are spot on with a very Euro-premium feel.

 

Perforated leather seats? Yes, please. Four-spoke leather-clad steering wheel with on-board controls? Only tilt and not telescopically adjustable, but oh yes again. Gated 6-speed automatic transmission with integrated Manual shift button? Coolness.

I could go on with the interior, with its better than average noise-vibration-harshness (NVH) and ride comfort levels, but it’s the small-displacement turbodiesel engine that takes the cake.

 

Once you dial-in a good driving position, get used to its dimensions and dynamics—then you get a good feel of how its engine performs.

 

I’ve driven its gas-powered smaller bro, which runs smooth and perky enough, but this Tivoli XLV hits the sweet spot with a compact and fuel-efficient diesel engine.

 

It’s got a generous amount of torque that enables effortless overtaking at expressway speeds, and complements its nimble handling. It’s also got a selectable Smart Driving Mode and AWD, to complement all that.

My only niggle is its four-wheel disk brakes, which are ample for assertive stops, but would probably need some tweaking for a more discernible feedback.

 

Overall, my takeout from it is that it holds its own in several regards, being slightly longer than your typical compact crossover. Its features and amenities are impressive on a design/materials/fit and finish standpoint, it’s comfortable, and most importantly, its small yet powerful diesel engine is a perfect match for it.

 

One brand, different looks 

On the drive to Mariveles, Bataan, and back, we were all able to test the other SsangYongs—the very spritely Korando compact SUV, the unassumingly huge people carrier Rodius MPV (that could comfortable seat eight), and of course its presumptive flagship nameplate, the Tivoli Crossover.

 

There was one thing I quickly realized, stepping back to fit all of the vehicles in a group shot: There is no unifying look for all of them, save for the new SsangYong logo.

Each nameplate is distinctly different from the next, and though it might be bucking a foundation in automotive design, that may actually be a good thing.

 

You can pick a SsangYong that totally fits your personality and needs, and be totally different from its next of kin. But judging from that comfortably pleasant first-crack drive, this lineup left some very good impressions. It certainly is looking like the resurgent brand is off to a great start.