For the SUV provider Ssangyong In this country, the aged Rexton is the bestseller. A third of the roughly 300 buyers of Korean cars in Germany every month want the large SUV with the archaic ladder frame - and that is precisely why. Because thanks to the design principle of classic off-road vehicles and pickups, the Rexton can take three tons on the hook.
Followers of this traction should also convince the successor, which will be presented at the Seoul Motor Show. 4,85 meters long, 1,92 meters wide and 1,80 meters high, wheelbase 2,87 meters - and that with emphasized wheel arches and a wide front. The Rexton is as massive as the owners of horses, sailing boats or lavish caravans want it to be. An outer skin in keeping with the times and with less air resistance than before.
Especially the Caravan Group but also wants more comfort than before. The Rexton is therefore much more comfortable furnishings than its predecessor. The leather upholstery of the top equipment, wood imitations and control buttons are well suited. And there is space from row one to three (optional to unfold) much to sufficient. Even if all seats are taken, the trunk offers more than just briefcases space.
Export boss Dan Rim already sees the brand as "a premium supplier". At the height of the standard offered by competitors such as the Land Rover Discovery, VW Touareg or Toyota Land Cruiser, the Rexton is still not up to 20 inch tires. There is a lack of assistance systems such as proximity cruise control, autonomous track holder or trailer assistant. Blind and lane keeping alarms, automatic emergency brake, 9,2-inch touch screen and an info screen between the round instruments must be enough. With Android Auto and Apple Carplay are the essential smartphone connections available, a Harmann Infiniti system provides sound.
On the drive side, the choice is easy for Rexton buyers if the car rolls onto the German market from November - there are none: According to Rim, “the 2,2 liter diesel with 178 hp” will be available at the beginning. A good unit with which the train tasks can be mastered; but not much more. The new two-liter turbo gasoline engine with around 220 hp will not be launched before 2019, along with the introduction of an eight-speed automatic. Alternative drives such as plug-in hybrids are not yet foreseeable at Ssangyong.
Incidentally, the Koreans are still bringing a pickup on the ladder frame platform next year. If you want to enjoy the comfort and driving dynamics advantages of a self-supporting SUV in addition to new technology, you must wait for SsangYong to succeed the smaller Korando. He's coming 2019.
So what speaks for the new Rexton? Solid construction, lots of space, neat workmanship - and of course the work force of the draft horse. Oh yes, and so far, of course, the price: Even its top version with all-wheel drive and seven-speed automatic is currently available for less than 37.000 euros. Another is hardly sold in Germany. No SUV can compete in the class. But the next Rexton won't keep this strong argument. The starting price for the rear-wheelbase basic variant will be over 30.000 euros, the top version for more than 40.000. (Peter Weißenberg / SP-X)