SsangYong Tivoli (2020) Coming To Ireland
SsangYong Ireland has confirmed a revamped Tivoli will go on sale in Ireland this summer. The 2020 SssangYong Tivoli will debut a new engine along with new interior, updated styling and equipment.
The brand has confirmed to us that it will be known as 'Tivoli Plus' and the first models are expected to arrive in Ireland this July. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.
What's new for 2020?
The most significant part of this update is that a new three cylinder 1.2-litre turbo petrol will be available in the Tivoli for the first time. It will be sold alongside the 1.5-litre turbo petrol and the 1.6-litre diesel that are already to be found in the brand's larger Korando SUV.
The new smaller capacity petrol engine has been introduced to make the Tivoli more competitive in its segment. It has been designed to be powerful but efficient, with a quiet and refined driving experience. Power output is 128 hp and it can be combined with a 6-speed manual transmission with CO2 emissions quoted at 130g/km for this model. A 6-speed automatic is also available on some models.
Some improvements have also been made to reduce road noise with structural adhesive applied and body panel rigidity increased. Dynamic damper and four-point mounting are applied to the front and rear sub frames, and sound absorption materials added to each pillar.
Styling updates for 2020 include new full LED headlamps and LED fog lights along with some small updates to the front and rear design. New colours for the range have been added in the form of Platinum Gray and Cherry Red.
Inside the 2020 Ssangyong Tivoli
The interior has been given a serious digital and technology upgrade, while we're told that the seats have been improved also. SsangYongs's new 10.25" digital instrument panel ('the Blaze Cockpit') debuts in the Tivoli for the first time on selected models. Infotainment is managed via the 7" touchscreen with updated graphics, Apple Car Play and Android Auto.
Safety technology includes Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), High Beam Assist (HBA), Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS), Front Vehicle Start Alert (FVSA), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Safety Distance Alert (SDA), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Change Assist (LCA) and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA).
The Tivoli was launched back in 2015 and was new departure for the SsangYong brand into the B-SUV segment with a striking new design language. About 36,000 Tivolis have found homes in Europe since launch with the car significantly raising the brand's profile in Ireland also.
SsangYong Korando Review
The 2020 SsangYong Korando goes on sale in Ireland from December priced from €24,495. We haven’t heard from SssangYong for a while but the brand is building a new presence in Ireland as SsangYong Automotive Ireland under new Country Manager John McKenna. The new Korando builds on the good form seen in the smaller Tivoli compact crossover, which has also undergone an update for 2020. Caroline travelled to Madrid, Spain, to test drive the new Korando.
Styling
The fourth generation Korando was designed at SsangYong’s R&D Centre in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. It’s out with the old and in with the new: the Korando is a car transformed since the previous generation of the SUV with a modern, edgy design language that follows on from the cool Tivoli launched back in 2016. This car has good presence in the metal and is something distinctly different for the busy C-SUV segment.
Interior
Another major transformation has taken place inside the cabin of the new Korando. The simple horizontal layout is easy to navigate and cabin materials look good. Some of our high spec test cars had the “Blaze Cockpit” with a 10.25” full digital cluster and 9” touchscreen unit and ambient lighting with 34 colours. However, this feature will be reserved to top level ELX models in Ireland. No problem, the analogue dials look fine too. An 8” touchscreen is available from mid level EL cars and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Practicality
The new Korando is longer and wider than the car it replaces with a longer wheelbase of 2,675mm, one of the longest in its class for increased comfort. The extra space is apparent, especially in the rear. Luggage capacity ranges from 408 to 551 litres with all seats in position depending on whether a spare tyre is specified, and there is up to 1,248 litres available with the rear seats folded. The rear seats split fold 60:40.
Engines
In Ireland the 2020 SsangYong Korando will be available with a new 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine (163 hp) and a revised Euro 6D-T compliant 1.6-litre diesel (136 hp). 6-speed manual and automatic gearboxes are available. The Korando is a front wheel drive SUV, but all wheel drive models will be available by special order. In Ireland motor tax for the Korando range will vary from €280 to €590.
The Korando has always been a favourite for towing and the diesel automatic has a two tonne towing capacity.
An electric Korando is expected in 2022 with a 61.5 kwh battery and range up to 350km (WLTP).
On the road
The 2020 SsangYong Korando sits on an all-new platform. Measures have been taken to make the Korando more refined on the road and suppress NVH (noise vibration and harshness). In a first for SsangYong, structural adhesives have been used to improve rigidity.
At the launch in Madrid we had the opportunity to test drive a 1.6-litre diesel automatic and a 1.5-litre petrol manual.
On the road, early indications are that the 2020 Korando is a slicker and more refined vehicle with smooth gear changes and not too much intrusive engine, road or wind noise. The Korando has retained some feeling of an authentic off-roader in that it hardly feels athletic on the road and it leans a bit in corners. There’s actually a compliment in that – while most soft roaders feel like slightly loftier hatchbacks, the Korando feels more like it might seriously like to get its tyres dirty!
Equipment
The Korando will be available in three trim lines in Ireland: ES, EL and ELX. Standard equipment will include 17” alloys, cruise control, electric, folding side mirrors, automatic lights and wipers, manual air con, Bluetooth radio and steering wheel mounted controls.
EL models add equipment such as 18” alloys, 8” touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, heated, leather steering wheel, leather upholstery, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors and dual zone climate control.
ELX models get 19” alloys, Blaze Cockpit with 10.25” LCD screen, 9” touchscreen, ambient lighting, sun roof, wireless charger and silver roof rails.
The new Korando achieved a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating and safety equipment includes Autonomous Emergency Braking System, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, High Beam Assist, Front Vehicle Start Alert, Safety Distance Alert and Driver Attention Alert.
Pricing
SsangYong Automotive Ireland is yet to release full pricing for the Korando range however it has been confirmed that petrol models will start from €24,495 and diesels from €26,495.
Rivals
The new Korando will go head to head with rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai, Renault Kadjar, SEAT Ateca, Skoda Karoq, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Peugeot 3008.
Summary
Encountering the new SsangYong Korando for the first time and it’s clear a revolution has been underway at SsangYong. At last the Korando feels like a genuinely competitive product for the C-SUV segment and it arrives with considerable style, meaning that it may garner some fans with its design alone. It’s not just a value proposition any more.
Interior design and quality has also improved dramatically and the Korando is available with all the latest technology and safety features. It’s a nice car to spend time in and offers good value in terms of the space available inside the vehicle.
Modern Euro 6d compliant engines crucially also feel up to the job.
SsangYong Automotive Ireland does face a challenge to build the SsangYong brand in Ireland from a low base and small dealer presence, but finally the product seems to be on point.
Caroline Kidd
SsangYong Tivoli XLV Launched In Ireland
The SsangYong Tivoli XLV has just launched in Ireland, with pricing starting from €25,495.
The Tivoli XLV is the big brother to the Tivoli compact crossover but with a few tweaks – there’s a bigger boot and it sports some adapted styling to accommodate that extra space. The pricing has seen a small hike too to reflect the increased volume.
Boot space is up from 432 litres in the Tivoli to a maximum of 720 litres. The Tivoli XLV is a strict five seater: there is no seven seat option.
In styling terms, the Tivoli and Tivoli XLV are closely related, though the Tivoli XLV has something more of the presence of a larger SUV. There is a choice of six exterior colours - Flaming Red, Grand White, Silent Silver, Tonic Grey, Space Black and Dandy Blue - which can be further personalised through the addition of two-tone body and roof colours.
There is just one engine choice available for the new Tivoli XLV – the 1.6-litre diesel with 115PS borrowed from the Tivoli. There is the option of an automatic or manual transmission, and 2WD/4WD models are available. There are two trim levels, ES and EL.
Pricing and equipment for the XLV
While the diesel Tivoli range currently starts at €21,495, pricing for Tivoli XLV starts at €25,495 for the entry level 2WD diesel in ES trim. Emissions of 117g CO2 per km place diesel 2WD models in tax band A4, with motor tax of €200 per year.
Standard equipment includes alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, heated front and rear seats, and dual zone air conditioning. EL models add more including cruise control, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlight activation, electrochromic rearview mirror and rear view parking camera. There’s also a newly designed MP3 infotainment system and a 7” high-resolution screen includes navigation, USB/AUX port, Bluetooth for hands-free calls, iPod and iPhone connection.
The Tivoli XLV comes with seven airbags including front, side and curtain airbags plus a driver’s knee airbag, multi-function ESP (Electronic Stability Program), Active Rollover Protection, Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist and ESS (Emergency Stop Signal), a tyre pressure monitoring system and a warning reminder on all five seat belt positions. LED daytime running lights and projection headlights are standard.
Where is it on sale?
The Tivoli XLV is available now from SsangYong’s Irish dealer network: Bill Cullen Premier Cars, Cassidy Motors, Cashman Car Sales, Fahy&Ryan, Hinchys (Ennis Road and Garryspillane), Lynn Motors, Noel Whelan Car Sales, O’Sullivan Auto, Ryans Garage and Waterford Motor Village.
Caroline Kidd
SsangYong Korando Review (2016)
I first drove the SsangYong Korando back in 2013 when the Korean brand had just relaunched in Ireland with a new line-up of models. Now I’m testing the Korando SUV again, but since we last met, the Korando has undergone a few changes.
On the outside there have been some styling updates (principally a new nose) and the Korando does look the part of the SUV – big, chunky and imposing.
Yet this is actually quite a compact SUV so parking and manoeuvring is surprisingly easy. Inside it’s a spacious five seater and legroom is very good in the back with even the middle passenger getting a generous flat space to put their feet. The boot is large at 468 litres with a flat sill and wide opening for ease of use.
Inside the new Korando
The interior is looking more modern than what I remember but it’s a mixed bag in terms of quality. Effort has definitely been made to make it more stylish (circular strip of chrome around the speakers, gloss black on the door grabs, new centre console design), but there are still a lot of hard plastics around that cheapens it a bit. The touchscreen is a welcome addition but is not standard on the base ES model.
Aesthetics aside, the relaunch of this Korando is about more power and efficiency. The old 2.0-litre diesel is replaced by a new Euro 6 compliant 2.2-litre unit. On start-up, the diesel makes itself known in the cabin and it’s a constant presence as the car is idling, stopping and starting around town or under hard acceleration. However, once at cruising speeds it fades into the background and this car’s noise suppression at speed is very impressive with very little road and wind noise coming into the cabin.
Driving the 2016 Ssangyong Korando
It’s a shame about the engine noise because the Korando is actually one of the nicer SUVs to drive around town. The steering is light and the Korando feels compact and agile around city streets and car parks. The driving position is properly elevated too so there is an authentic SUV feeling to it. The Korando does feel a bit slack in corners but the steering gives you enough resistance at speed to place it well on the road. It’s a largely comfortable cruiser, but jostles over rough and uneven surfaces.
The Korando goes against the grain because it favours a big 2.2-litre diesel where most front wheel drive SUV rivals have smaller diesels. The 2.2-litre diesel produces a healthy 175bhp and 400Nm of torque and there’s loads of oomph when you need it quickly.
So if you need that sort of power for towing for example (the Korando has a towing ability of up to 2 tonnes), the Korando is an affordable choice with the passenger range starting at €25,995 for a well-specced ES model that includes alloys, cruise control, front fog lights, electric windows and mirrors, air con, Bluetooth and heated front seats. EL models start at €29,995 and add even more equipment. The Korando is available as front wheel drive or four wheel drive.
Did you like it?
However, while emissions have been improved, the running costs for the Korando are going to be a bit higher compared to less powerful rivals. CO2 emissions are reduced to 139g/km on the front wheel drive model with a manual transmission so this car falls into tax band B with annual motor tax of €280. Fuel economy has also been improved and the Korando will return up to 53mpg.
SsangYong Ireland are aiming their Korando at existing SUV buyers - people who are already sold on the idea of chunky styling and an elevated driving position but are looking for something that’s affordable but with lots of power and towing ability. The Korando is still a little rough around the edges in terms of cabin and ride quality, and the scope of the engine may be beyond the needs of most compact SUV buyers (within the range, the SsangYong Tivoli crossover might be more suitable). Korando’s pricing is reasonable considering what’s on offer but it probably makes most sense in base trim, where the list price of just under €26,000 is appealing for anyone who just needs more power in their SUV for their money.
Caroline Kidd
Model Tested: SsangYong Korando EL 2.2-litre 175bhp 2WD
Price: €29,495 (Passenger range starts at €25,995)
Engine: 2.2-litre turbo diesel
Power: 175bhp
0-100km/h: 9.9 seconds
Economy: 53mpg
CO2 Emissions: 139g/km
Motor Tax: €280 per year
SsangYong Tivoli Review (2016)
Caroline drives the Ssangyong Tivoli.
SsangYong relaunched in Ireland about three years ago with a line of SUVs and commercial vehicles, but the arrival of the Tivoli compact crossover finally gives the Korean brand a model with more mainstream appeal.
The first thing to note about the Tivoli is that it is the most car-like of the current SsangYong range. Its closest relative would be the Korando SUV, but the Tivoli is less elevated and the look is more stylish and urban. With the addition of a diesel engine to the range, the Tivoli is ready for battle in the compact crossover class with refreshingly distinctive looks.
It may be deemed a ‘compact’ crossover, but the Tivoli is anything but small inside. Rear head and legroom is really good with a low, flat transmission tunnel meaning that even the middle passenger won’t feel short-changed on space. The boot is big at 423 litres but you will be pulling out heavier items over a high load lip.
What's it like inside?
There are a lot of hard plastics in the cabin but different colours, materials and textures are mixed well so altogether it has an inviting look. There are elements of style to it: the silver rimmed instrument dials with pretty coloured illumination, and gloss black on the centre console and door finishes. It does take a bit of time to navigate all the little buttons on the centre console, and they are not the most tactile to operate. A touchscreen infotainment system on the EL test car completes a modern look.
Since the Tivoli launched here in summer 2015, a new 1.6-litre diesel with 115bhp has joined the 1.6-litre (128bhp) petrol, and it's a far more appropriate engine for the Irish market. The diesel does not have the most subdued engine note and is noisy under hard acceleration, but it’s quick and returns good economy of up to 67mpg, with pocket-friendly motor tax of €190 per year.
The Tivoli feels very car-like on the road and between a heavy punch of torque from the diesel engine, good feedback coming through the steering, and composure through bends, the Tivoli is a good drive. While it’s comfortable on smooth roads, it does bounce and jiggle over rougher surfaces and holes in the road (this is Ireland after all!). The steering actually has three different settings – Normal, Comfort and Sport – and is noticeably heavier in Sport mode, which is ideal for a spirited drive on some of our finest country roads. Comfort lightens up the steering for easy low speed manoeuvres.
How much does the Ssangyong Tivoli cost?
Pricing starts at €19,995 for petrol Tivolis, and diesels start at a very reasonable €21,495, with two trim levels, ES and EL. There is quite a price hike between trim levels though the spec on ES will likely satisfy a lot of people with equipment including 16” alloy wheels, air con, Bluetooth, cruise control, and front fog lamps.
EL models are extremely well equipt, including touchscreen, parking sensors, reversing camera, heated front seats, 18” alloys, leather seats, dual zone climate control, auto lights and wipers, and roof rails. There are manual and automatic gearboxes available for the Tivoli and an all-wheel-drive option from €24,995.
SsangYong Ireland has the ideal product now to go more mainstream as the Tivoli is very stylish and distinct, but with the easy driving, car-like qualities that appeal to the crossover buyer. The engine could be a bit more refined and the ride a bit more accommodating to the worst of Irish roads, but the Tivoli’s good qualities outweigh any less than perfect ones!
Read about the 2020 Ssangyong Tivoli now.
Caroline Kidd
Model Tested: SsangYong Tivoli EL 1.6L Diesel 2WD
Price: €24,995
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo diesel
Power: 115bhp
0-100km/h: 9.5 seconds
Economy: 67.3mpg
CO2 Emissions: 109g/km
Motor Tax: €190 per year