Buyer’s Guide: 2020 Ssangyong Korando

Some people mistake Ssangyong for a Chinese brand, but it is actually the fourth largest car manufacturer in South Korea after Hyundai, Kia, and GM Korea.

Entering the Philippine auto market in 2016, the young brand (by Philippine standards, as the brand is actually more than 65 years old) currently hosts five cars in its local lineup, one of which is the recently launched 2020 Ssangyong Korando.

Get to know more about this compact crossover SUV in this Buyer’s Guide.

Specifications

Now on its fourth generation, the 2020 Korando is powered by a choice of 1.5-liter turbo gasoline (163 hp and 280 Nm) or 1.6-liter diesel (136 hp and 324 Nm), the Korando comes in three different trims:  the Korando 1.5T Sport (gasoline), the Korando 1.6D Sport (diesel), and the Korando 1.6D Premium (diesel).

It’s worth noting that the outgoing model had 2.0-liter turbodiesel for the top spec. Ssangyong’s decision to go with engines of smaller displacement is in line with many of its peers, as the world shifts toward less fossil fuel use and more battery-powered road travelers.

All three trims have six-speed AISIN automatic gearboxes.

Unfortunately, while the international version comes in a choice of front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, only the former will be sold here.

Exterior

©ssangyong.ph

The latest Korando takes a similar route as Mazda in its sheetmetal, trading creases for curves. Overall exterior measurements are 4,450mm x 1,870mm x 1,675mm in LxWxH configuration. The headlights, daytime running lights (DLRs), taillights, foglamps and side lamps are all LED units. The car rides on 19-inch alloy wheels, giving it 170mm ground clearance. Buyers of the latest Korando model have four color options to choose from: Grand White, Dandy Blue, Cherry Red, and Silent Silver.

Interior

The Korando’s cabin follows a design theme that Ssangyong calls the ‘Blaze Cockpit,’ which displays a more European-inspired layout than the outgoing model. Seat material options include fabric, faux leather, or real leather. The 1.6 engine equipped variants will have dual zone climate control, power adjustable seats, tire pressure monitoring, powered tailgate, and chrome grille. Cruise control, keyless entry, and push button start/stop, a 10.25-inch Super Vision HD instrument cluster come standard across the range. For infotainment, there’s the 8-inch HD infotainment system with a whopping total of 34 ‘infinity mood lighting’ choices to suit your tastes. The audio system has both Apple and Android connectivity so you can play your favorite music along with your selected lighting program.

Space

 

The 2020 Korando has claimed boot capacity of 551 liters. With the rear seats folded, capacity increases to 1,248 liters. Wheelbase is a lengthy 2,675mm, which does wonders for legroom both at the front and back.

Safety

The 2020 Korando scored a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP after a barrage of crash tests. Out of the cars in Ssangyong’s Philippine lineup, the Korando is the only one to receive Euro NCAP’s highest rating. In comparison, the brand’s flagship SUV, the Tivoli, managed only four stars from the safety rating body.

Standard safety equipment are plenty, even in the base model. The latest Korando features adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, automatic high beam, rear cross traffic alert, front collision warning, front vehicle start alert, driver attention alert, traffic sign recognition, and traction control system. These are part of Ssangyong’s very own suite of driver assist features, called Deep Control.

As for the usual safety systems, the Korando offers more than the ordinary in the form of active rollover protection, electronic parking brake, rain sensing wipers, and parking sensors. The car also has seven airbags, ISOFIX child anchor seats, an engine immobilizer, and automatic speed sensing door locks.

Verdict

The 2020 Ssangyong Korando was launched last November. Below is the pricing for the three different trims.

Ssangyong Korando 1.5T Sport PHP 1,290,000
Ssangyong Korando 1.6D Sport PHP 1,578,000
Ssangyong Korando 1.6D Premium PHP 1,770,000

At these prices, this crossover SUV is clearly above the price range of many, and that’s intentional. As you may glean from the information provided here, The Korando is intended to be an affordably priced luxury vehicle, in order to give it the edge to compete with its contemporaries such as the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. In this aspect, the 2020 Ssangyong Korando is certainly a worthy contender.

Also read: Ssangyong Brings Refreshed Version 2020 of the Tivoli, Now Diesel-Powered
Auto Asia Launches New SsangYong, Changan Models

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Featured Cars

  • Upcoming

Car Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • 'New' Isuzu mu-X to enter PH market this week
    'New' Isuzu mu-X to enter PH market this week
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • Kia PH holds 1st DOYA
    Kia PH holds 1st DOYA
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Set your road trips on these dates this Apr.
    Set your road trips on these dates this Apr.
    Ruben Manahan IV . Mar 31, 2025
  • Zigwheels PH's March 2025 wrap-up
    Zigwheels PH's March 2025 wrap-up
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 31, 2025
  • Porsche Macan Turbo, Taycan Turbo GT star in short film alongside David Guetta
    Porsche Macan Turbo, Taycan Turbo GT star in short film alongside David Guetta
    Paulo Papa . Mar 31, 2025
  • Here’s a close look inside the BYD Shark 6 DMO
    Here’s a close look inside the BYD Shark 6 DMO
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 25, 2025
  • Ford ‘Raptor’ trucks, SUV showcased in Dubai dunes
    Ford ‘Raptor’ trucks, SUV showcased in Dubai dunes
    Paulo Papa . Mar 21, 2025
  • Here are the BYD Shark 6 DMO's 3 available colors in PH
    Here are the BYD Shark 6 DMO's 3 available colors in PH
    Paulo Papa . Mar 18, 2025
  • Women celebrities and their cars
    Women celebrities and their cars
    Paulo Papa . Mar 17, 2025
  • 5 reasons that make the Nissan Z NISMO an exciting coupe
    5 reasons that make the Nissan Z NISMO an exciting coupe
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 17, 2025
  • Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 26, 2025
  • Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • Ensure your vehicle is Summer road trip-ready by following these tips
    Ensure your vehicle is Summer road trip-ready by following these tips
    Paulo Papa . Mar 06, 2025
  • Loving your car 101: how to protect your car’s interior
    Loving your car 101: how to protect your car’s interior
    Paulo Papa . Feb 17, 2025
  • Changan CS15: no-fuss daily driver
    Changan CS15: no-fuss daily driver
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 27, 2025
  • First drive: Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ AMG Line
    First drive: Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ AMG Line
    Paulo Papa . Mar 21, 2025
  • BYD Shark 6 DMO: first impressions
    BYD Shark 6 DMO: first impressions
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 19, 2025
  • Changan Uni-T: bold and classy
    Changan Uni-T: bold and classy
    Ruben Manahan IV . Mar 14, 2025
  • JAC JS2 Pro: ideal 'first car' option
    JAC JS2 Pro: ideal 'first car' option
    Paulo Papa . Mar 10, 2025