SsangYong has officially launched its new Korando SUV with the claim of class-leading refinement and prices starting from £19,995 aiming to entice customers into the brand’s growing dealer network.

At launch, seven variants of the fourth-generation model – based on two engines, two gearboxes and four trim levels – are being offered by retailers, with a new 1.5 GDI-turbo petrol engine set to join the 1.6-litre diesel unit currently available in the line-up from December.

Nick Laird, managing director at SsangYong Motors, said: “Our ‘badge’ may be less well known, but what SsangYong lacks in current recognition, we more than make up for with cars that offer huge value without ever feeling compromised.

“We also have so much faith in our build quality, we offer a full 7-year/150,000-mile warranty so customers can be quietly confident that they’ve made the right choice when it comes to the things that really matter.

“We are sure that, with the new Korando, we have a vehicle that has the potential to upstage some much bigger names in the marketplace.”

A towing capacity of up to two tonnes will aim to appeal to the brand’s existing customers from the caravanning and towing fraternities, while SsangYong claims that its fully digital ‘BlazeCockpit’ interface and driver assistance technologies that are unrivalled in its class.

Meanwhile exterior styling which features multi-focus reflector LED headlights and high-power LED stacked fog-lights, front and rear daytime running lights, is said to deliver a premium feel.

Dependent on trim level, Korando offers a selection of three stylish alloy wheel designs – 17-inch, 18-inch and 19-inch diamond cut wheels.

The range line-up at launch comprises of ELX, Ventura, Pioneer and Ultimate trims.

Starting at £19,995, the Korando ELX is powered by the 1.5 GDI-turbo petrol engine with a manual transmission and is available in 2WD only. 

Woven cloth trim, 17-inch alloys with all-weather tyres, electronic cruise control, DAB/RDS/Bluetooth radio, six airbags, auto lights and wipers and a range of advanced safety equipment are all part of the standard specification.

Priced from £22,995 the Ventura adds 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels with standard tyres, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, an electronic parking brake, 10.25-inch full LCD cluster and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay/Auto Android smartphone connectivity.

The Korando Pioneer (from £26,495) is available with SsangYong’s 1.6 diesel engine and an automatic transmission, in 2WD or 4WD.

Aimed at the caravan and towing market, the Pioneer has a two-tonne towing capacity, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, heated steering wheel, full sized spare wheel, 3.5-inch LCD cluster, and the eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Auto Android and a rear view camera.

SsangYong’s £26,495 range-topping Korando Ultimate is available in three variants: a petrol 2WD derivative available with manual (early 2020) and automatic transmissions or diesel engine and with automatic transmission, in 4WD only.

The Ultimate features luxurious soft leather seats throughout (with driver’s lumbar support) a dual-zone air conditioning system, a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 19-inch diamond cut alloys, smart keyless start, rear privacy glass, LED multi-focus headlights and a powered tailgate.

SsangYong’s newly-developed Euro 6D-T compliant 1.6 litre diesel engine produces 136PS and 324Nm of torque and claims CO2 emissions of 144g/km (NEDC) and fuel economy of up to 48.7mpg on the WLTP combined cycle

It will propel the Korando to 62mph in 12 seconds.

The Euro 6D-T compliant 1.5 GDI-turbo petrol engine set to be introduced later this year produces 163PS and 280Nm of torque. Its performance details have yet to be published.