Tradie ute now an automatic choice

SSANGYONG Motors Australasia has added an automatic transmission option to the workhorse Tradie version of its Sports Dual Cab ute.

Available for an extra $3000, the six-speed automatic comes three months after the five-speed manual Tradie was introduced at a rock-bottom $24,990 starting price (for the 4x2).

The 4x4 version of the South Korean-built Tradie is also available with the new automatic transmission, starting from $30,990 – again, $3000 more than the manual but, as SsangYong points out, still “many thousands of dollars less than other diesel 4x4 automatic dual cabs on the market”.



The Tradie has allowed the South Korean brand to hold it aloft as the cheapest twin cab in Australia. However, SsangYong now looks set to defer to Great Wall Motors (GWM) after importer Ateco Automotive vowed to price the forthcoming SA230 dual cab ute “well under” $20,000.

At least in describing the Tradie 4x2 auto as the “best-priced dual cab automatic diesel” on the market, this latest claim steers clear of GWM’s petrol-powered SA230.

Both transmissions are paired with the Sports Dual Cab’s 104kW/310Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder common-rail turbo-diesel engine. The combined fuel consumption rating is 8.7L/100km – 0.6L/100km more than the manual.

Standard features include dual front airbags, air-conditioning, power windows and remote central locking.

ABS brakes, front side airbags, traction/stability control and colours other than white remain unavailable.

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