Name: SsangYong Korando (2019 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: SsangYong Korando
Rating: 61

Summary

The KGM (formely SsangYong) Korando is a mid-sized SUV/crossover that sits between the smaller Tivoli and larger Rexton in the KGM SUV family. The current model was launched at the 2019 Geneva motor show and arrived in the UK in the summer of the same year.

The Korando has received reasonable reviews from the UK motoring media, ranging from average to very good. Its overall New Car Expert Rating of C and score of 61% (as of January 2024) places the car in the bottom half of the field mid-sized mainstream SUVs, but it is certainly right among the midfield rather than well off the pace.

The Korando has been widely praised for being a significant improvement over the previous model and other models in the KGM range. Before its manufacturer dropped the SsangYong name, it was also the brand’s first model to receive a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. However, it’s no longer really a budget option and there are plenty of other choices that offer better quality and resale value at a similar price.

More KGM ratings, reviews, news and features

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £19,995 on-road

Launched: Summer 2019
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel automatic Pioneer
Score: 7.7 / 10
“Major improvements in refinement, quality and equipment levels mean the SsangYong Korando is no longer just for those who want an SUV but can’t afford one.”
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Auto Express+

Score: 7 / 10
“What the Korando lacks in flair it makes up for in being a sturdy, dependable and practical choice in the family SUV market.”
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Model reviewed: Ultimate 1.5 petrol
Score: 7 / 10
“As it stands, the petrol is the pick of the new SsangYong Korando range.”
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Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The SsangYong Korando isn’t the best car of this type or size, but it is very affordable, and comes loaded with equipment. It’s also very practical, with lots of space inside for people and their things, and it has a stonking warranty.”
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Autocar+

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 6 / 10
“The arrival of the fourth-generation Ssangyong Korando finally confirms that the South Korean manufacturer is fully capable of producing a good-looking car.”
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Car+

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 6 / 10
“Well-equipped, striking to look at, half-decent off road and with the best on-road manners of any SsangYong to date, the new Korando is an impressive effort and it’s night-and-day better compared to its direct predecessor. The rebirth is genuinely impressive.”
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Car Keys+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel automatic Ultimate
Score: 8 / 10
“This all-new Korando is completely transformed over the car it replaces. With new levels of refinement and a high-quality cabin, it moves SsangYong into line with more mainstream manufacturers.”
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.4 / 10
“If you don’t mind a sedate driving experience, the SsangYong Korando is an appealing and practical family car with some impressive features.”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The SsangYong Korando is an affordable yet practical SUV with bold styling and decent standard equipment, but alternatives are more economical and look posher inside.”
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Company Car Today+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Ultimate
“The Ssangyong Korando provides good space and kit at a decent price, but is let down by the way it drives and its efficiency.”
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel automatic Ultimate
“This top-spec 4×4 automatic diesel isn’t the heartland of the range, but despite the cost it shows how far the brand is coming, though the SsangYong Korando isn’t exactly the budget option any more.”
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Daily Mirror+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel automatic
Score: 6 / 10
“At great value, with a 150,000 mile/seven-year warranty and a likely five-star safety rating, the Ssangyong Korando is worth serious consideration.”
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Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The genuinely ‘all-new’ SsangYong Korando offers good looks, an impressively high-quality interior, latest generation infotainment, six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions and a choice of two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5 GDI-T
“While it’s not as polished to drive as SUV rivals, it represents good value for money – and the brand’s reputation for reliability (along with a generous seven-year warranty) makes it a very sensible purchase.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6.2 / 10
“Reborn SUV is an improvement in all areas except value.”
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The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“Rivals should be worried.”
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel automatic
Score: 8 / 10
“The SsangYong Korando is a very good car in its own right, and represents some of the best value that can be had in this crowded segment. It’s practical, spacious, reasonably good to drive and competent enough off-road to meet the needs of country and equestrian folk.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“Cheap, but doesn’t always feel it. The SsangYong Korando is coming of age.”
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What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Ssangyong Korando gets closer to its rivals than ever before in terms of its driving experience and it is also very practical and comes with lots of safety features. But it’s still outclassed by the best when it comes to comfort, pace and running costs, plus it’s not actually that cheap.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: September 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 88%
Child protection: 85%
Vulnerable road users: 68%
Safety assist: 74%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2024, the KGM Korando has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the KGM Korando to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Korando, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	37 mpg	D	36 – 37 mpg	D – D
Diesel models	43 mpg	C	42 – 46 mpg	C – D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	175 g/km	C	172 – 182 g/km	C – C
Diesel models	173 g/km	C	159 – 178 g/km	C – C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	23	B	21 – 27	A – B

The KGM Korando can be expensive to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

This is mostly due to the car’s fuel consumption. Petrol models offer poorer fuel economy than the market average, with diesel models typically conserving a bit more fuel. On the other hand, insurance costs should be pretty manageable.