With the large SUV market so vast, it is easy for less pronounced brands with decent product to be overshadowed and forgotten. Take the SsangYong Rexton for instance. It is a 7-seat large SUV that is actually fit for the off road, has a 3500kg towing capacity, and comes with a competitive price tag.
The Rexton is built on the same ladder-frame platform as the SsangYong Musso ute. A construction method mainly used for robust utes, serious 4x4s, and heavy trucks.
Late 2023 saw the Rexton range updated and a new variant added. The single powertrain on offer remains unchanged; a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder and an eight-speed auto with dual range, slightly tuned up compared with the Musso, with 148kW/441Nm up from 133kW/400Nm in the ute (and with the eight-speed rather than six).
Sales are low for the South Korean-made SUV, with only 1013 units delivered so far in 2024 (through July), according to VFACTS. That’s 15th spot in the 24-vehicle segment. So, let’s dive in to see if it deserves more sales.
2024 SsangYong Rexton Ultimate: Specifications
Engine: 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder
Output: 148kW@3800rpm / 441Nm@1600-2600rpm
Gearbox: Eight-speed auto
Drive type: RWD/4WD with low-range
Wheels: F & R: 18×7.5, 255/60
ANCAP: Not tested
Tare weight: 2060kg
Power-to-weight: 13.91:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 8.7L/100km
Our consumption: 10.5L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 70L/DieselPower efficiency: 17.01kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 4.58 seconds*
0-100km/h: 10.11 seconds*
60-110km/h: 7.37 seconds*
1/4 mile: 17.17 seconds at 133.5km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.593g*
100-0km/h braking: 41.63m in 3.45 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.061g*
Decibel at idle: 50*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 76*
Starting price: $58,000 drive-away*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2024 SsangYong Rexton Ultimate: How much does it cost?
There are three variants to choose from. The ELX retails from a flat $50,000. Then the Adventure sells from $54,000. And at the top, the Ultimate starts from $58,000 (all drive-away). This is the variant we have spent a week with. A Sport Pack can also be added to the Ultimate for $2000.
In comparison to other contenders with a ladder-frame set-up, room for seven, and 4×4 capability, the Rexton is priced competitively. The Toyota Fortuner starts its pricing from $53,775, the Ford Everest from $58,490, the Toyota LandCruiser Prado from $62,830, the Isuzu MU-X from $53,400, the GWM Tank 500 from $66,490, and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport starts from $55,190. The LDV D90 is the only competitor to undercut the Rexton, retailing from $38,937 for RWD, or from $46,832 with 4×4.
SsangYong offers one of the best warranties and service programs in Australia. You get a 7-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, and 7-years of complimentary roadside assistance. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, and the first seven services are provided at a fixed cost of $375 each if serviced at a SsangYong service centre.
2024 SsangYong Rexton Ultimate: Interior & packaging
Kicking off our review with the interior, and an admission that we were not expecting too much grandiose or extravagance. But the Rexton surprises with a premium look and feel. The space runs with a very neat, clean and user-friendly design with some elegant-feel materials, quilted leather-like areas and large digital screens.
The most eye-catching components are two crisp, high-res 12.3-inch digital screens; one for the instrument cluster and one for the centre multimedia touch-screen. The centre screen connects to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sadly, not wirelessly. Adding to the premium feel is a dual-zone climate control hub that has been restyled as a touch-screen.
From a practical point of view, the interior is clearly laid out with user-friendliness as a top priority. There are lots of cup holders, and storage holes and consoles that swallow all your necessities. And no matter which seats in the first two rows you’re in, there is ample leg, head and shoulder room.
Even the third row is commendable as far as third rows go. With air-con vents and fan controls in all rows (Ultimate model only), four USB-C ports, and three 12-volt power outlets, all passengers are accommodated generously.
We also like how there is a front passenger seat adjustment on the driver’s side of the seat to save the driver from reaching over. The only gripe is the second row is not on adjustable rails. Having this would give a little more versatility if you want more space in a particular row.
At the very rear, boot space is praiseworthy, with 641 litres of volume to play with. When the second and third rows are folded down, the space increases to 1806 litres. Access is made easy with an electric tailgate that is standard across all models.
Even though external appearance is mostly subjective, we find the Rexton’s design to be fairly simple and inoffensive. It’s nothing revolutionary, but definitely an improvement over SsangYongs of the late-90s and 2000s. The large front grille with dotted chrome highlights, four-tiered headlights and LED taillights that merge into a prominent chrome grille give it a distinctive look.
The Rexton went on sale without an ANCAP safety rating, and it is still without one. A few boxes are ticked when you see the list of safety features. All models come with nine airbags, forward collision warning, auto emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot and lane-departure warning, driver alert detection, side door exit warning, front and rear parking sensors, rollover stability, and trailer sway control.
Surprisingly, among today’s standards, all models miss out on semi-autonomous driving with radar cruise control, and road sign recognition. Tyre pressure sensors are only included in the Adventure and Ultimate variants, and surround-view cameras are only awarded to the Ultimate.
Upgrading to the top-spec Ultimate also adds a power sunroof, driver’s seat and memory, tinted windows, touch sensing door handle locks, quilted leather, ambient interior mood lighting, and that 360-degree camera.
2024 SsangYong Rexton Ultimate: Powertrain & handling
Turning to the engine and we’re surprised how quiet and smooth it is for a diesel. Compared with other diesel engines in this segment, noise/vibration/harshness levels are low. Power delivery is also smooth, refined and progressive. Having eight gears does not slow down a strong linear torque pull.
The 2.2-litre engine is boosted with a turbo to bring outputs to a proficient 148kW and 441Nm. Even with its 2060kg weight, the Rexton keeps up with other competitors. You can certainly feel that the engine is more productive lower in the rev range. When higher in the rev range, there is not much change in terms of rate of acceleration. During our performance testing with the Vbox, we saw 0-100km/h come up in a respectable 10.11 seconds.
That ladder frame chassis and a heavy weight creates a slightly higher fuel consumption than the market standard. The official average is listed as 8.7L/100km. But during our week with the Rexton, the average consumption was a thirsty 10.5L/100km. Notably, we did not get any highway driving in. A figure to certainly consider if you plan to use your Rexton around the city most of the time.
On the tarmac, the handling feels a tad topsy-turvy around corners. There is a lot of suspension travel, and the springs feel soft, which creates inevitable bodyroll. All that play means that bumps are absorbed effortlessly. Only bigger bumps can create a springy bounce for passengers.
But those are the attributes that make the Rexton more suitable for off-road adventures. If you’re not in the market for towing or off-roading, a soft-roader would provide more comfort. This setup goes with independent front and rear multilink suspension, with double wishbones at the front, 10-links at the rear, and front and rear stabiliser bars.
Boosting the off-road/touring credentials is low range gearing, rear differential lock, trailer sway control, hill descent control, and a full-size spare wheel. However, its 203mm of ground clearance falls short of the Fortuner, Prado, and Pajero Sport. The braked towing capacity is at the maximum 3500kg.
2024 SsangYong Rexton Ultimate: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Powertrain refinement: Quiet, smooth and refined diesel engine.
- Applaudable touring credentials: Low range gearing, locking rear diff, 3500kg towing.
- Pleasant design: It’s large interior with 7-seats that also looks and feels premium for a genuine 4WD.
- Value: This leads the class for value for money.
2024 SsangYong Rexton Ultimate: Key considerations before you buy
- High fuel consumption around the city: Officially rated at 8.7L/100km (average), it’s not the best in its segment but in city conditions it drops further down the ranking.
- No sliding middle row: If the second row was on rails it would increase its practicality nicely.
- Missing some stuff: No adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, wireless Android Auto or wireless Apple CarPlay.
2024 SsangYong Rexton Ultimate: Video
How does it rate against its rivals?
- Price
- Quality look & feel
- Interior tech
- Powertrain performance
- Ride & handling
- X factor (does it stand out in its class?)
Final word
If you need to be budget conscious when it comes to your next 7-seat SUV, but need a solid 4WD with genuine off-road capabilities and a strong towing capacity, the SsangYong Rexton is worth considering. The brand doesn’t have the strongest reputation but the product is decent now and deserving of more sales in our opinion.
