In terms of looks, the Korando certainly passes muster. Ssangyong tended to have weird or eccentric designs before, but they seem they’ve put that all behind them. Now, it’s actually pleasing to the eye—whether you’re a casual motorist or a die-hard enthusiast. The angular motif does well in giving it come credence, while its decision to go against the current trend of having a large, garish grille make it quite refreshing. On this top-trim Premium model, the decision to fit LED headlights and front fog lamps, and Y-spoke 18-inch wheels do well to give it a great sense of style.

Tug the handle, and the door is surprisingly hefty—a reminder that Ssangyong’s been in the business of making SUVs since 1963. Hop aboard and that feeling of solidity continues. This demo unit has clocked over 11,000 kilometers, and yet everything feels showroom fresh. There’s nary a scruff or scratch in here, a testament that they’ve been using the toughest materials around.

Sadly, the Korando’s solidity doesn’t equate to luxury. While the look is generally alright, there’s nary any soft or plush-feeling material in here. Knock on any surface and it’s almost always hard. Thankfully, the designers did put a large piece of high-gloss black plastic (and some metal looking bits) to serve as a distraction. Moreover, Ssangyong’s penchant to get all weird is still evident in minor controls like how toggle switches are used to adjust the lights and wipers.

Little quirks aside, there’s nothing to complain about the Korando’s ergonomics. There’s a good range of adjustment to the driving position, and the resulting one’s comfy enough even for long stints in traffic. The fully digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster feels a bit gimmicky at first, but it gives all the necessary information in an easily digestible manner. The display is sharp, and there’s even a lovely minimalist mode that displays just the speed—perfect for those who want to do a bit of screen time detox on their daily commute. 

It’s also worth mentioning that while the Korando’s managed to avoid the entire “floating screen” craze, the 8-inch infotainment system is mounted high enough so you don’t have to take your eyes too far from the road to use it. The OS is run-of-the-mill—neither slick nor crisp, but at least with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto built-in, it’s easy enough to avoid it altogether.

In terms of space, there’s plenty of room all around to fit adults easily. It’s especially true at the back, where three adults can actually sit side-by-side with little difficulty. The same goes for storage, with the Korando living up to its practicality billing thanks to its deep storage area under the front armrest and cavernous glovebox. However, it doesn’t offer any reasonable storage for mobile phones. With the USB plug located just in front of the shifter, larger phones and/or the charging cable are guaranteed to get in the way of the shifter.

Despite its pleasant design and usable interior, the Korando’s biggest selling point remains its engine. The 1.6-liter diesel makes 136 horsepower and 324 Nm of torque—pretty good numbers especially when combined with the (as tested) fuel economy of close to 12 km/L. As is typical of a diesel, it feels punchy and pulls strongly. That strong sense of urgency wears off quickly though, falling off the performance cliff almost as quickly as the initial boost came rushing in. Oh, but at least the engine is smooth and free from any intrusive vibrations.

The Korando’s suspension is fully independent, and together with a body that’s made largely of high-strength steel, it offers poise and control through corners. It’s still ways off from delivering the kind of driver enjoyment that’ll make you grin from ear-to-ear, but it feels much more confident and composed than any other Chinese compact SUV. Plus, the steering is also responsive and accurate. The brakes though, can use some work as the bite comes in late in the pedal travel.

Ride-wise, the Korando is uneven. It doesn’t really impress at low speeds, feeling lumpy and crashy, especially on patchy roads. However, as the speeds pick up, the damping smoothens out becoming more confident and supple. There’s good stability baked in as well.

If there’s one area where the Korando gets a failing grade, it’s in safety. Considering that it’s priced at P 1.77 million, you’d expect it to get the whole shebang. In reality, it only gets dual SRS airbags. Heck, even the middle passenger in the rear seat doesn’t even get a three-point seatbelt (it uses a two-point lap belt)! It’s a shame because the rest of the package is decent: ABS with EBD, stability control, and even front and rear parking sensors with a reverse camera.

And there’s the rub. If you look at the Korando in isolation, it’s pretty hard to fault it. It has all the makings of an excellent compact SUV with the qualities that buyers look for: smartly styled, well-equipped, and frugal. It even showcases how much Ssangyong has come, especially in terms of its driving experience.

However, because the Ssangyong name can’t be muttered in the same breath as a Toyota or even a Kia, this Korean model is forced to be lumped together with the new challengers from China. And once you factor that in, you’ll find that the price tag is the single biggest hinderance to its success.