2007 Ssangyong Rexton Reviews

SsangYong is the 'other' Korean carmaker with a range of 4x4 utes and SUVs. The Rexton is one of the brand's long-serving nameplates and the Adventure is a new mid-level grade offering seven-seat SUV buyers a quality, value-focused option. Mark Oastler has put it through its family paces.

The 2024 SsangYong Rexton is due to arrive in Australian showrooms this month (October) and it'll have a new dash layout, a bigger multimedia touchscreen... and price rises across the line-up.But the current-generation Rexton is a well-equipped, seven-seat 4WD wagon and, with a sub-$60,000 price-tag, it deserves consideration. Is the 2023 Rexton represent a solid value-for-money buy? Read on.

What the hell is a SsangYong Rexton ELX? Sort of sounds like a new kind of dinosaur, doesn't it? Well, no, it's a recently facelifted (proper) four-wheel drive, with seven seats and a decent diesel engine. It hails from a car company that isn't usually known for it's stylish line-up but the Rexton is putting some serious moves on in the design department. But is it style as well as substance?

Ute-based large SUVs are increasing in popularity as more Australians look to holiday in their home country. So, the SsangYong Rexton's mid-life facelift couldn't have come at a better time, ushering in some big changes. But has it done enough to challenge the best sellers?

When your family has grown beyond two children, to three, four or five, you’ll be looking at seven-seat SUVs, which is where the SsangYong Rexton comes in.It’s made in Korea but this brand isn’t as well known as the other Korean car companies, Kia and Hyundai.It sits in a category with other seven-seat SUVs that are all built to go off-road: the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero and Holden Trailblazer.I was testing the Rexton Ultimate which is the top of the range and sells for $52,990 drive-away.The SsangYong experience was completely new for me and I didn’t know what to expect. Here’s how it handled my family of four over seven days of driving.

There are many different ways to approach the SUV segment, but ute-based off-roaders is one part of the market that's gaining traction.

SsangYong has returned to Australia after two years away and its large SUV, the Rexton, is spearheading the company's push back into the market.

Forging a business in a highly competitive new car market such as Australia's is tough work for any newcomer. But the SsangYong Rexton isn't a newcomer, per se. The Rexton has been sold here before - in fact, you could say it has a rich history in Australia, having been sold here (on and off) since 2003... a damn

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the 2014 SsangYong Rexton.

This is the five cylinder, turbo diesel version of the mid-size Ssangyong 4WD.The engine is a clone of the same unit you'll find in the current Mercedes-Benz M-Class 4WD and so is the five speed automatic transmission.You can bet other mechanicals owe their existence to Mercedes engineering.But Ssangyong has been careful to ensure the entire vehicle is up to scratch in all other areas including the 4WD system, suspension, steering brakes and body integrity.The Rexton is built on a ladder chassis with the body bolted on and the drive system is torque on demand 4WD with high and low range activated by push buttons on the dash.The Rexton is a competent off roader and makes easy work of beach driving, rugged trails and pretty well anything you throw at it. There's plenty of ground clearance, limited a tad by the accessory side steps, and approach and departure angles are steep. We have so far chickened out on deep wading but reckon it wouldn't be a problem either.But the heart of the test vehicle is its excellent engine and transmission. There is around 340Nm of torque available at low engine revs and the 121Kw power output propels the Rexton like a V6 passenger car. It accelerates quickly and has easy cruising capacity with virtually no noise or vibration.Then after about 800 to 1000km, you have to fill up the tank. Not bad for a two tonner that offers luxury on and off road driving for five people – and a stack of load space in the back. A seven seat option is available.The interior is quite stylish, conservative, with mock wood veneers and an attractive dash. The test vehicle had leather upholstery which takes it further up the luxury chain. Aircon is climate control and the audio is impressive.It needs a three point seat belt in the middle rear pew and we are still not convinced about the automatic door locking function that activates after about the first 500m of driving. Smacks of American paranoia.The Rexton looks good, has smooth paint and the doors close like a Honda Odyssey or similar prestige Japanese model. For the money, the Ssangyong Rexton 270Xdi is difficult to look past.