Ssang Yong Rexton

FIRST DRIVE Korean SUV is a world away from ageing predecessor. We see if it’s worth a look

- Lawrence Allan

SSANGYONG’S bosses are honest about the current Rexton’s obvious advancing years. It’s large, priced like a hatchback and impressively rugged, but the back-to-basics 4x4 has only received the odd tweak since its launch way back in 2003. A glut of more modern SUVs has arrived since, serving to highlight its status as a motoring dinosaur.

But the Korean car maker’s regeneration is in full swing, with new models showing SsangYong has what it takes to go toe to toe with brands in Europe. Now it’s the turn of the all-new Rexton, which we’re driving first in Korea, ahead of UK sales in October.

The design has moved on for the new car, and while styling is subjective, to our eyes, it sports a cleaner and more upmarket look than before. It can’t disguise its sheer size, though; that bulky rear overhang is a consequence of it being 15cm longer and 13cm taller than a Hyundai Santa Fe.