Re-styled, sub $30k Ssangyong Stavic hits town

SSANGYONG has done its best to turn the Stavic people-mover ugly duckling into a more palatable swan with a new-generation model, on sale in Australia now.

The new Stavic builds on the ‘more space for fewer dollars’ ethos of its derided predecessor, and combines a cavernous seven-seat cabin with a sharp starting price – $29,990 drive-away.

The Korean car-maker says only one specification is available for now, powered exclusively by a Euro 5-compliant 114kW/360Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine.

The oil-burning unit, which sends power to the rear wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission, consumes a claimed 7.8 litres per 100km on the combined cycle.

Therefore, the Stavic is Australia’s cheapest diesel-powered people-mover, and one of the cheapest full stop: the only comparable car to undercut it is the seven-seat, petrol-engined Fiat Freemont that sells from $28,500 drive-away.

Other key rivals for the Stavic include Hyundai's $39,990 diesel iMax, the $44,990 diesel Kia Grand Carnival and Toyota's 2.4 petrol Tarago at $48,990.

Safety equipment includes electronic stability control with anti-lock brakes, and dual-front and side airbags. However, there’s no mention of curtain airbags, and there are only two (ISOFIX-standard) child-seat anchors in the back. Neither ANCAP or Euro NCAP have tested the Stavic for crash safety.

Standard features include dual-zone climate control, cruise control, heated side mirrors, MP3 sound system with Bluetooth and USB/AUX ports, auto headlights, a leather steering wheel, seatback tables and rear parking sensors.

A ‘luxury’ version will launch in a few months priced from less than $35,000 and fitted with extras such as leather seats, larger 17-inch wheels, rain-sensing wipers, roof racks and headlight levellers.

If size really does matter, the Stavic kicks some goals: the 2750kg behemoth is 5130mm long, has a 3000mm wheelbase and up to 3240 litres of cargo space with the second row of seats pitched forward and the third row removed (Ssangyong says they can be removed within a matter of minutes).

Underneath the new body sits a double wishbone front suspension and a multilink independent setup at the rear.

PR consultant for Ssangyong importer Ateco, Daneil Cotterill, told GoAuto the company hoped to make more of an impact with the new model than its slow-selling predecessor, many of which were sold as taxis in Queensland before being discontinued last year.