SsangYong announces relaunch pricing, warranty

SSANGYONG Australia has announced that its November relaunch will be spearheaded by sharp driveaway pricing, a long factory warranty and standard autonomous emergency braking (AEB) for all four of its models.

Significantly, a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty will be offered alongside seven years of roadside assistance and capped-price servicing, while forward collision warning (FCW) and AEB will also be standardised across the line-up.

According to SsangYong Australia managing director Tim Smith, safety should not be optional in a vehicle – a view that will help the brand stand out from some of its competitors when it relaunches.

“We know that safety is a key feature for Australian customers, and we do not want to make AEB or FCW an option or extra cost for a customer wanting to choose any model in our all-new range,” he said.

“We want customers to know their most precious cargo is afforded the maximum protection, no matter which model they choose.

“With a high degree of safety features, great warranty and outstanding pricing, we look forward to offering Australian customers a new choice in motoring when we go on sale in November.”

The Mitsubishi ASX-rivalling Tivoli opens the SsangYong range from $23,490 in EX form with a 94kW/160Nm 1.6-litre petrol engine and front-wheel drive (FWD). Its six-speed manual gearbox can upgraded to an automatic transmission for $2000.

Standard equipment includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, seven airbags, a reversing camera, and front and rear parking sensors.

Stepping up to the automatic-only ELX grade increases the Tivoli’s price to $27,490, while an 85kW/300Nm 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine can be specified for a $2500 premium.

The diesel-only Ultimate flagship costs $33,990 and features all-wheel drive (AWD), leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, a sunroof and 18-inch alloy wheels, while five two-tone paintwork options are available for an extra $500.

A long-wheelbase version of the Tivoli, dubbed XLV, goes head to head with Nissan’s Qashqai and is priced from $31,990 in FWD ELX form and $34,990 in AWD Ultimate guise.

Both variants feature the aforementioned automatic transmission and turbo-diesel engine but are otherwise specified the same as their short-wheelbase counterparts, while the Tivoli XLV's 245mm of extra length affords it 720L of cargo capacity.

Meanwhile, the Rexton large SUV squares off with other seven-seaters, including Mazda’s CX-9, priced from $39,990 in entry-level EX form with a 165kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and two-wheel drive (2WD).

Further upstream, the $46,990 ELX and $52,990 Ultimate both employ a 133kW/420Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine with a Mercedes-Benz-sourced seven-speed automatic transmission and AWD.

The EX features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, dual-zone climate control, high-beam assist and lane departure warning, while the ELX steps up with artificial-leather upholstery, nine airbags, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Ultimate adds leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, 20-inch alloy wheels, surround-view cameras, a sunroof and a power-operated tailgate.

SsangYong Australia is also looking to make an impact in the 4x4 ute segment with the Musso – a mechanical cousin to the Rexton – that comes with a gross combined mass (GCM) of 6750kg.

While the Musso and Rexton also feature 3000kg of braked towing capacity, Mr Smith revealed that SsangYong Australia is already working with suppliers to homologate a 3500kg rating.

Every Musso variant uses a 133kW/400Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine and includes a limited-slip differential, a full-size spare wheel and Bluetooth connectivity.

Kicking off the range from $30,490 is the EX with a six-speed manual gearbox, while an automatic transmission incurs a $2000 charge. Both variants include fabric upholstery.

The automatic-only ELX and Ultimate cost $35,990 and $39,990 respectively, with the former picking up Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the latter adds leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, a sunroof, 20-inch alloy wheels and surround-view cameras.

An extended-tray body style with a leaf-sprung rear suspension will be added to the Musso range early next year, joining the initial short-tray, coil-sprung model.

As previously reported, SsangYong Australia hopes to also launch the Korando mid-size SUV in the third quarter of next year, while a fifth SUV model will slot between the Korando and Rexton by the end of 2022.

2018 SsangYong Tivoli driveaway pricing

2018 SsangYong Tivoli XLV driveaway pricing

2018 SsangYong Rexton driveaway pricing

2018 SsangYong Musso driveaway pricing