SsangYong Kyron 270 SPR

Jun 28 2009 Mike Torpey

WHEN mainstream manufacturers with award winning models struggle for sales in the eye of a recession you wonder what chance the rest have.

Among them are the fringe players, then those on the margins of the fringe.

Korean car maker SsangYong falls into the latter category.

The only real chance a company like this has is to play the value ticket - and that's something SsangYong is managing rather well.

Three models - Rexton, Kyron and Rodius - make up the range and of those the Rodius MPV is a non-starter. I've only ever seen one in the metal and can only imagine that this behemoth of a seven-seater was designed expressely for people who don't like cars.

More relevant by far are SsangYong's latest model the Kyron off-roader and its slightly larger stablemate the Rexton.

The Kyron's principal rivals are fellow Koreans the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento plus Chevrolet's Captiva - and I reckon it's a better looking car than all three.

There are six models in the range and all bar one of them come with a 2.0-litre turbocharged common rail diesel engine.

Half have two-wheel drive and the remainder all-wheel drive while there's a choice of manual or auto transmissions.

So where's the value? Well at £14,995 - previous Kyrons started at £3,000 more - the entry grade 2.0 S easily undercuts its competitors and comes well kitted out to include the likes of hill descent control.

Then there's the warranty which extends to five years or 250,000 miles and, until the end of June at least, there's also five years/50,000 miles free servicing.

The tested model was the range-topping Kyron 270 SPR with its noisy but powerful turbo oil-burner that pumps out 165PS of punch.

Nonetheless it's only capable of returning 29 miles per gallon (if you're lucky) via the Mercedes T-Tronic automatic transmission, though that's actually more economical than the five-speed manual.

In the Kyron's favour is its practicality. There's ample room for five plus reasonable cabin stowage and excellent visibility while the boot is vast and also has a concealed multi-compartment tray beneath it.

And all models come with air-con, four electric windows, steering wheel audio controls and alloy wheels. Not so good is the fiddly sound system.

SPR drivers get leather-clad luxury, permanent four-wheel drive for off-road work and huge towing ability. It's ideal if you have a caravan.

Overall this a car that has both style and substance, though even the greenest model has a CO2 rating of 191, putting it in a high car tax band that will cost private buyers £215 a year.

FAST FACTS

SsangYong Kyron 270 SPR 5dr

Price: £22,495

Mechanical: 165PS, 2,696cc, 5cyl diesel engine driving four wheels via 5-speed automatic gearbox

Max speed: 108mph

0-62mph: 12.8 seconds

Combined mpg: 29.7

Insurance group: 13

CO2 emissions: 242g/km

BiK rating: 35%

Warranty: 5yrs/ 250,000 miles