Although Korean carmaker SsangYong has been in the Australian market for the
past 20 years it has never been able to get close to the success of its compatriots
Hyundai and Kia.
The company has gone through financial difficulties over the years and been taken
over at different times by SAIC, Daewoo, Mahindra and, in 2023, by a new entrant in
the automotive scene – KG Mobility or locally as KGM SsangYong
KGM SsangYong currently has five models in its range, the Musso ute, three mid-
sized SUVS, Korando, Torres and Actyon and, this week’s test vehicle the family-
sized seven-seat Rexton SUV.
Rexton languishes near the bottom of the large SUV segment, well below the big
hitters like Toyota Prado and Kluger, Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X, which is a pity
because, after our week behind the wheel, we came away highly impressed.
Drive-away prices starting from $52,000 make it a fair bit cheaper than these
competitors with a seven-year warranty adding to the value equation.
Like Everest and MU-X, the Rexton sits on a utility platform, in its case the
SsangYong Musso.
Rexton was given a minor upgrade in 2025 with safety, equipment and tech
improvements. Four variants are offered, ELX, Advance, Ultimate and Ultimate Sport
Pack with the Advance replacing the previous Adventure variant.
Other changes include electric power steering, adaptive cruise control and
lane keeping assist now standard across the range. Other upgrades to the range
include LED headlights with a new DRL design and sequential indicators.
The entry model ELX gains leather-look seating while rear door pull-up sun blinds
are added to Advance, and Ultimate gains wireless phone charging.
The range-topping Sport Pack adds Black leather and suede seats, suede door trims
and dash panel, plus a gloss black steering wheel bezel.
All variants come with seven seats, a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine, eight-speed
automatic transmission and 3500kg braked towing capacity.
STYLING
The constraints of fitting three rows of seats don’t allow for much flexibility in the
roofline of large SUVs and Rexton has the same conservative profile as its rivals.
Most of the work therefore gets done at the front and rear.
Rexton has an attractive, intricate diamond-style grille with the SsangYong company
logo at the top/centre.
All variants come with quad-style LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and
LED front fog lights. At the rear the tail lights and number plate lights are also LED.
The high-mounted stop lights are integrated into the rear spoiler.
Wheels are 18-inch diamond-cut alloys.
Rexton Ultimate adds privacy glass, powered sunroof and tailgate and iIlluminated
front door scuff plates.
The top spec Ultimate Sport Pack comes with black leather and suede seats, suede
door and dash trims and a gloss a black steering wheel bezel. Other dark touches
include black 20-inch alloy wheels and black painted roof rails.
INTERIOR
Like most in its class Rexton has a fairly high stance which can challenge shorter
occupants, but on the positive side the high seating position provides ideal viewing.
There are thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) leather-look seats in all three rows.
The front seats are powered, comfortable and supportive as well as being heated
and ventilated.
Attractive quilted trim can be found on the seats and around the front console.
Storage space is good with sliding covers for the drink holders and phone charging
bay.
The rear seats are finished in the same quilted trim while the second-row seats can
tilt backwards to about 50-degrees – subject of course to the approval of any third-
row occupants.
The second-row also has a fold-down armrest with two cupholders and small storage
area.
Ultimate adds driver’s seat and door mirror memory system, touch-sensing front door
locks, heated leather steering wheel, ambient interior mood lighting and third row air
conditioning controls.
Access to the third-row seats and space once there provides the usual challenges
and are best left for children.
Even then the seating is low and there’s only small, triangular windows which
provide a claustrophobic feel.
Boot space with all seats in place is limited.
ENGINE/TRANSMISSION
The 2.2-litre turbo-diesel generates maximum power of 148 kW at 3800 rpm and
healthy peak torque of 441 Nm from 1600 revs.
Fuel consumption is listed at 8.7L/100km.
The eight-speed automatic comes with the convenience of steering wheel mounted
shift paddles.
It has part-time 4×4 with low and high range and an automatic-locking rear
differential.
SAFETY
Although Rexton hasn’t undergone ANCAP crash testing it does come with a good
range of safety equipment in both variants.
They include nine airbags, autonomous emergency braking with forward collision
warning, lane change collision warning, safety distance warning, blind spot warning,
smart high beam, front vehicle start warning, rear cross traffic warning, tyre pressure
monitoring system, Isofix child seat anchors for the outer centre seats and trailer
sway control.
There are front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, with a 360-degree
camera in the Ultimate.
INFOTAINMENT
The larger of the two screens is the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster which can be
customised to suit different situations.
At just eight inches, the infotainment touchscreen is smaller than we’re used to in the
latest vehicles.
It’s also relatively basic and doesn’t include built-in satellite navigation in either
variant.
There are six physical buttons and a round knob below the screen for the most
commonly used functions and more buttons and another knob for the air conditioning
controls.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both wired and a wireless smartphone charger
is added for the Ultimate.
DRIVING
Despite its modest 148 kW power output, 441 Nm of torque means the combination
of 2.2-litre diesel engine and eight-speed auto transmission pulls the big vehicle
along in a smooth, relaxed and surprisingly quiet manner.
It certainly loses nothing in comparison with its better-known and more expensive
competitors.
Steering is relatively light and there’s a fair bit of body roll through corners, but that’s
par for the course with large SUVs.
During our test we averaged 9.3L/100km, reasonably close to the listed 8.7 L/100km.
SUMMING UP
We haven’t tested a SsangYong Rexton for quite a long time and came away
pleasantly surprised.
It’s very well priced but not at the expense of safety equipment, convenience
features or technology.
Despite a recent It not only beats competitors on price but comes with a seven-year
unlimited warranty together with seven-year roadside assistance.
Certainly worth a comparative test drive.
RATINGS
Looks: 7/10
Performance: 7/10
Safety: 8/10
Thirst: 9/10
Practicality: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10
Tech: 7/10
Value: 8/10
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Rexton ELX: $52,000
Rexton Advance: $57,500
Rexton Ultimate: $61,500
Rexton Ultimate Sport Pack: $64,200
Note: These are drive-away prices and include all government or dealer delivery
charges.
SPECIFICATIONS (KGM SsangYong Rexton Ultimate 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-door
wagon)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 2.157 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Maximum Power: 148 kW @ 3800 rpm
Maximum Torque: 441Nm @ 1600 rpm
Fuel Type: Diesel
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 8.7 L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 223 g/km
DRIVELINE:
Eight-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4850 mm
Wheelbase: 2865 mm
Width: 1960 mm
Height: 1825 mm
Turning Circle: 11.0 metres
Kerb Mass: 2130 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres
BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Seven years / unlimited kilometres
