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First Drive Review: SsangYong Tivoli 2015

Image of James Fossdyke
Author: | Updated: 27 Aug 2015 10:43

If you’re sceptical about SsangYong’s ability to deliver a truly competitive car, you really need to try out the Juke-rivalling Tivoli.

With the small crossover market booming, lesser-known Korean car manufacturer SsangYong has taken a break from building fairly mediocre SUVs to join the amassing ranks of manufacturers cashing in on one of the industry’s biggest niche market.

Dubbed Tivoli, the newcomer offers a dash of ‘Italian’ style (hence the name – it’s a town not far from Rome, in case you were wondering) and an ultra-low price tag.

Crushing preconceptions

When someone tells you there’s a new crossover being built by a small Korean manufacturer and priced from just £13,000, you can’t be blamed for fearing the worst. Approach a Tivoli with that preconception, however, and you’re in for something of a shock.

SsangYong Tivoli ELX (1)

The way it looks is a good indicator that this is something new from SsangYong. Unlike the other, more curvaceous (and, if we’re honest, slightly dated) models in the range, the Tivoli is all sharp angles. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and while some will think it’s a bit of a mess, we think it’s a substantial improvement on what’s gone before.

The news gets even better when you open the doors to be greeted by an equally modern interior.

You sit in comfy yet supportive seats covered with unexpectedly classy leather, looking at a gloss black dashboard and gripping a sporty D-shaped steering wheel, while your feet nestle in thick carpets. It isn’t the height of luxury, of course – there are too many olde-worlde digital readouts and tacky, silvery plastics for that – but it’s stylish and build quality is surprisingly good thanks to SsangYong sharing parts suppliers with its compatriot, Hyundai.

Much of the switchgear is identical to that of say, an i20, and you get the same feeling that though the plastics aren’t brilliant and there’s the odd slack rotary, it’s fairly well bolted together.

SsangYong Tivoli ELX (10)

The infotainment screen feels similar to that fitted to Hyundai and Kia models too – no bad thing because it’s a fairly clear and easy-to-use unit with reasonable, though not exceptional, graphics.

And then there’s the question of practicality. While the Juke struggles with a cramped cabin, the Tivoli offers more than enough space for four adults and a well-sized boot which, at 423 litres in volume, is much larger than that of the Juke, despite a spare wheel being a standard feature (and one we heartily approve of).

There are even loads of sensible cubbies dotted about, although we aren’t convinced by the bungee cords that replace conventional rear seat pockets. Surely stitching a bit of leather or even cloth to the seatbacks wouldn’t have been preventatively difficult or costly?

Something to be desired

It’s slightly less good news when you get the car on the road though. The 1.6-litre diesel engine sounds reasonably quiet at tickover, but as the revs climb above 1,500rpm it emits more of a grumble, which rises to an unpleasant roar as the red line approaches. Amazingly, the petrol isn’t all that much better.

Refinement is the only thing really counting against the diesel engine though. SsangYong expects fleet sales to be “modest” at best, with the vast majority of customers being private, so the fact that the least polluting variant emits slightly more carbon dioxide than its rivals won’t bother most. The 113g/km emissions mean it’ll cost small change to tax anyway.

SsangYong Tivoli ELX (8)

It shouldn’t be all that ruinous to run either. Fuel consumption is officially 65.7mpg and a number in the mid-fifties is quite achievable, while a five-year warranty should see out most, if not all, leasing deals and keeping unforeseen costs in check.

Despite the economy though, the 113bhp engine is punchy – much more so than the 12.0-second 0-62mph time would have you believe. It has so much poke, in fact, that there’s a hint of hot hatch-style torque steer as the front wheels (four-wheel-drive variants don’t arrive until the end of the year) struggle to steer and put the power down simultaneously.

But just because the Tivoli torque steers like a GTI, don’t expect a sporty drive. Although there isn’t too much body roll, the steering is fairly numb, and though it gets a little sharper and heavier when you engage the ‘Sport’ steering mode (another gadget pinched from Hyundai), it never provides much in the way of feedback.

The suspension also leaves something to be desired, with stiff, incompliant springs making for a jiggly ride, especially on rutted rural tarmac.

SsangYong Tivoli ELX (6)

Sealing the deal

Pricing and value for money are expected to seal the deal for Tivoli customers, and the Tivoli’s low starting price of £12,950, coupled with the reasonably strong residuals, ensure leasing deals should be fairly cheap.

You’ll get plenty for your money too, because even basic SE models come with air conditioning (albeit manual), 16in alloy wheels, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity and cruise control.

According to SsangYong, however, the SE is set to account for just 2% of sales with the mid-range EX and top-of-the-line ELX models making up far more substantial numbers.

The EX model starts from £14,600 and it offers almost everything you’ll really want. Leather seats are standard, as is a 7in touchscreen, 18in alloys, climate control and heated seats.

SsangYong Tivoli ELX (16)

Moving up to the £16,000 ELX, however, will add keyless start, privacy glass, automatic lights and wipers, satellite navigation, a reversing camera and front parking sensors to create a pretty comprehensive spec sheet.

The verdict

If you’re sceptical about SsangYong’s ability to create a competitive car, you really need to try a Tivoli. No, it can’t quite live up to the standards of comfort, refinement and outright desirability set by the segment leaders such as the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur, but it’s a match for the likes of the Peugeot 2008 and Ford EcoSport.

Vital stats

Length: 4,195mm
Width: 1,795mm
Height: 1,590mm
Wheelbase: 2,600mm
Boot space: 423 litres

Engines: 1.6 diesel (113bhp), 1.6 petrol (126bhp)
Transmissions: 6-spd manual, 6-spd auto

Greenest: SE 1.6 diesel manual (65.7mpg, 113g/km CO2)
Fastest: SE 1.6 petrol auto (0-62mph 11s)
Cheapest: SE 1.6 petrol manual (£12,950)
Priciest: ELX 1.6 diesel auto (£18,250)

Key rivals: Nissan Juke, Renault Captur, Kia Soul, Ford EcoSport

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