After leading for many months, the 2020 Geely Coolray, which entered the Philippine car market late 2019, is the definite forerunner in its segment, pending official reports.When the dust settles, we could soon be crowning a new subcompact crossover sales champion for 2020.
The Geely Coolray’s immediate success is made even more impressive that it sits in one of the most competitive categoriess in the market, and among its long list of competitors is the SsangYong Tivoli, which is a relatively new entry into the country, just like the Coolray. It arrived here a year before, to be exact.
So how do these two newcomers fare against each other? Let’s find out in this 2020 Geely Coolray vs. 2020 SsangYong Tivoli shootout.
The new Coolray relies on a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged gas engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to deliver its power to the front wheels, topping at 177hp and 255Nm MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear comprise the car's suspension system, while braking power is handled by four discs.
The Tivoli crossover received a mild refresh late last year, with the crossover now available in a lone 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine after the South Korean manufacturer dropped the 1.6-liter gas power mill from the lineup. A six-speed automatic gearbox with Drive Mode Selection handles shifting duties, helping the engine reach its max 134hp and 324Nm output numbers. The suspension system relies on MacPherson struts at the front and torsion beam out back. There’s ventilated discs taking care of braking at the front, and solid discs at the back.
Winner: Geely Coolray
The Coolray measures 4330mm long, 1800mm wide and 1609 tall, while possessing a 2600mm wheelbase and 196mm ground clearance. As for aesthetics, The Coolray wears its Asian heritage on its sleeve, but it does come with plenty of European- and American-inspired style elements, made obvious by the blacked-out pillars (reminiscent of British marque MINI) and badge-shaped front grille (a seeming nod to Chevrolet). Coming in three different trims, the all-new Coolray arrives with projector-type headlamps (halogen for the two low-spec variants and full LED for the top-spec) and LED running lamps. A Piano Black roof with panoramic sunroof and carbon-fiber front spoiler and rear diffuser further enhance the Sport variant. Both the Sport and Premium come with 18-inch wheels, while the entry-level Comfort trim is fitted with 17-inch rubbers.
Overall dimensions for the SsangYong Tivoli are at 4195mm long, 1795mm wide and 1590mm tall. Wheelbase is 2600mm, which makes the Tivoli a good match for the Coolray in terms of cabin space. Ground clearance falls short in comparison though, at 167mm. Car enthusiasts will easily notice its Land Rover-like proportions, and that association guarantees that the Tivoli will attract plenty of admiring glances. Headlamps are standard halogen, with auto on/off added in the top variant. SsangYong adds in LED daytime running lamps and taillights to raise the SUV’s style and function. A black or white roof option enhances the Tivoli’s appeal, as do the rain-sensing wipers in the top variant.
Winner: Geely Coolray
Inside, a black color motif permeates the Coolray cabin, highlighted with silver and maroon (top trim only) accents that convey the crossover's sporty nature effectively. Meanwhile, hexagonal shapes pepper the dash and side panels, giving the entire cabin a sophisticated, cohesive look. Leather seats, paddle shifters, and a 10.25-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system with QD link Android connectivity and voice control further elevate the Coolray's comfort and convenience utilities.
The interior of the Tivoli is imbued with some eye-catching orange highlights, with spaciousness and lots of standard equipment complementing the well-mannered design. The overall layout is smart and ergonomic, with SsangYong taking plenty of cues from its fellow Korean car brands. The references are apparent in the highly visible and easy-to-reach controls and impeccable build quality. There’s auto seat adjustment and ventilated front seat across the range, making the Tivoli one of the more comfortable options for drivers frequently faced with long commutes. Other features to enjoy include Auto Dimming Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dual Zone Climate Control, and front and rear 12-volt power sockets. For infotainment, there’s an 8-inch LCD touchscreen in the top variant, now updated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Winner: Geely Coolray
Apart from the standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution and Brake Assist, the Coolray is also equipped with advanced safety features such as hill start assist, hill descent control, electronic stability and traction control, and cruise control. There's also Geely's G-Pilot system that helps ease driving further. Other nifty safety additions include the Auto Parking Assistant which lets you do parallel and perpendicular parking with a touch of a button, and four exterior cameras to give the driver a 360-degree view of the car. On top of it all, the Coolray also comes with N95-grade air filters for those paranoid over COVID-19 safety.
The Tivoli is pretty basic in terms of safety, but for the price range, it's hard to fault SsangYong's choices in this regard. There's driver and front passenger airbags, anti-lock braking system with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, and 3-pt. seatbelts for all. Other standard safety features include smart keyless entry, burglar alarm, and rear parking sensors as well as a rearview camera. An immobilizer system is added to the top variant’s safety specs.
Winner: Geely Coolray
With a 2600mm wheelbase, the Coolray is plenty spacious to look at, and the rear legroom looks promising for full-sized adults, although the sloping roof doesn't do the headroom at the rear any favor. Likewise, the tall center console does make things feel a little cramped up front, fortunately, the padded top makes for an excellent elbow rest. Trunk space is at 330 liters with the rear seats up.
Ample space abounds in the Tivoli for every passenger. Rear passengers will find the leg room in that part of the cabin more than adequate. That said, the generous space in the boot is one that SsangYong is especially proud of--the car maker claims that the Tivoli’s 393-liter trunk will fit three full-sized golf bags. In case that much storage capacity is still lacking, simply folding the rear seats and removing the false floor will expand the space capacity immensely.
Winner: SsangYong Tivoli
The Geely Coolray comes in three different trims (from highest to lowest: Sport Turbo, Premium Turbo, and Comfort Turbo). Color options include Orange, Vermilion, White, Blue, and Silver. Here are the prices to expect:
Buyers can choose between two Tivoli trims—the 1.6L Diesel Premium AT (PHP1.29 million) and 1.6L Sport AT (PHP1.18 million). Paint options include Silent Silver, Platinum Grey, Space Black, Grand White, Cherry Red, and Grand White.
Winner: Geely Coolray
The Geely Coolray is last year’s bestselling crossover subcompact for a good reason, and based on this shootout, it seems that space is the only advantage that the Tivoli has over its Chinese-made counterpart. Considering that the Coolray is more equipped and more affordable, there’s very little doubt as to which car most car buyers will gravitate towards.
Photos from Geely, SsangYong
Also read:
From 2020 Onwards, Geely Cars Will Have N95-Grade Air Purification
2020 Geely Azkarra vs. the competition: Your other compact crossover options
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