We have already put ourselves behind the wheel of the fifth generation of the SsangYong Rexton. Although it is more elegant and refined than ever, the Korean model has clear ideas and does not give up any of its authentic off-road qualities.
Coinciding with its 20th anniversary, the Ssang Yong Rexton debuts its fifth generation showing that it has not lost an iota of its offroad qualities despite being more sophisticated than ever. I have been able to meet him in his presentation to the press on routes both by road and through complicated unpaved areas and it is clear that the Asian brand has thrown the rest into its flagship.
The renewed Korean SUV shows a elegant and robust appearance, especially thanks to a powerful front presided over by a huge grille with a three-dimensional effect and a chrome profile. The muscular wheel arches are a reminder that this model is not just limited to asphalt.
The headlamps of the larger SsangYong model have also changed. In front shows some HID headlights with four light elements surrounded by a led daytime running light. They are very striking but it is a pity that LED lights cannot be equipped at least for the main functions. The fog lights do carry this light technology, as do the stylized rear lights.
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There is no lack of a new design of the bumpers and the side molding, as well as some 17, 18 or 20-inch alloy wheels depending on the chosen finish. The rear of clean lines exposes its identity with the lettering “Rexton” in the center of the tailgate and also integrates trapezoidal exhaust outlets in the lower part of the rear bumper.
Six body colors are available: white, black, blue and three shades of grey. A generously sized body since the Rexton’s dimensions are set at 4.85 m long, 1.96 m wide and 1.82 m high. The wheelbase is 2.86 m for this model that is located in segment D.
Available in Pro, Premium and Limited finishes, the cabin of the Rexton 2022 surprises by design and equipment possibilities. The Asian can give its occupants with heated, ventilated and electrically adjustable front seats that, depending on the equipment, will have fabric, imitation leather or Nappa leather upholstery.
It is also possible to enjoy a heated steering wheel, an electric parking brake, an opening sunroof -which is not panoramic- and a wireless charging base for smartphones. Regarding materials plastic abounds although it has a good visual quality and in general the atmosphere is welcoming.
The top of the range of the SsangYong Rexton carries a fully digital instrument cluster thanks to a 12.3-inch TFT-LCD color screen that allows various viewing options. The simplest versions mount analog instrumentation with an on-board computer with a 3.5-inch monochrome screen.
In the center of the dashboard is the 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system. It has a simply correct quality, a somewhat low contrast and it does not have a navigation system, although this deficiency can be made up for thanks to the connectivity with Android Auto and Apple Carplay -in both cases by cable-.
All versions are sold with seven seats as standard thanks to a third row composed of two independent and folding seats. It is relatively spacious and valid for adults of short stature, but it does not have an Isofix system. In other markets SsangYong also offers a five-seater configuration.
Second row seats are heated, the backrest can be adjusted for tilt, there are a couple of USB sockets and the rear doors can have integrated roller blinds. Depending on the version, the SsangYong flagship has a dual-zone automatic climate control in the front seats, air outlet in the second row -the flow rate or temperature cannot be regulated- and air conditioning in the third row.
The cargo space is accessed through a gate with an electric opening system and a hands-free function on the top of the range. The trunk has 240 liters of capacity with the seven operational seats, 872 liters with five seats and up to 1,806 liters with the second and third rows folded. The second row of seats can be folded 60/40 and the third row 50/50, so multiple configurations can be adopted to play with space.
What engines does the 2022 SsangYong Rexton have?
The Spanish range is defined by a single engine, the 2.2 liter D22 DTR diesel engine. As it does not have any electrification system, it has the C environmental label and probably few people miss the Eco sticker because the Rexton’s territory is far from the big cities.
This mechanic develops 202 hp and delivers 441 Nm of maximum torque, more than enough energy to travel on the road with solvency and overtake without trouble. To manage your performance on the console there is a button that allows you to choose between three driving modes: Normal, Sport and Winter.
The updated Korean SUV debuts a new eight-speed automatic gearbox type «shift by wire» with Hyundai origin, with paddles behind the steering wheel. It replaces the automatic transmission manufactured by Mercedes with seven gears and it has been satisfactory to me because it has a smooth behavior.
As standard, the Rexton has a connectable all-wheel drive system which allows the driver to decide when to engage four-wheel drive using a rotary knob on the center console. In this way, you can switch to 4×4 mode on slippery surfaces or driving off the asphalt or go in 4×2 mode to achieve more contained fuel consumption when traveling on the road.
It is true that consumption will not be low. The WLTP cycle homologation sets a value of 7.7 l100 km but the truth is that it will be frequent to see consumption data above 9 l/100 km. A notorious figure but justifiable as it is an SUV really big, heavy and powerful.
Because let’s not forget the Rexton is a true all-rounder. Unlike the growing number of SUVs in this segment, the Korean stays true to the frame and crossmember chassis, has a 4×4 mode with low gear, hill descent control and the top of the range adds a rear differential lock system to tackle demanding offroad obstacles.
During the off-road test the huge SsangYong surprised by being able to overcome obstacles without complications despite mounting road tires (Michelin Pilot Sport SUV). A varied test on dirt and gravel with lateral tilt exercises, axis crossings, very steep ascents and descents with little traction.
The work of the 4×4 system, which distributes the torque 50% between both axles, is magnificent and it is easy to handle. You just have to take a certain precaution for some offroad dimensions reflecting an angle of attack of 20.5º, a ventral angle of 20.0º and a departure angle of 22.0º degrees.
These dimensions correspond to the Rexton Pro which has an independent suspension, which allows each wheel to move in all directions and gives ample travel to help traction with a ground clearance of 224 mm. The Premium and Limited versions use a multi-link suspension with a free height of 203 mm.
During the day I was able to drive the Rexton Premium with this more sophisticated damping, which performs very well in the field but on the road it does not filter too much the irregularities of the asphalt, letting you feel everything that happens under the wheels. Except for that clearly perfectible rattle for each small pothole, the car is very comfortable because the soundproofing of the cabin has been improved, thanks to the exterior design changes the aerodynamic noise has been slightly reduced and vibrations are not appreciated either. The Rexton is more refined than ever.
By the way, for an off-road vehicle it is usually interesting to have a spare wheel but the Rexton 2022 comes with a tire repair kit. SsangYong offers the possibility of equipping a spare wheel optionally but there is no specific hole to place it since in previous generations it was under the floor but this time that space is lost to locate the Adblue tank. So if you take a spare wheel it goes inside the trunk and load capacity is lost.
Although it is a budget cut off-roader, the Pyeongtaek-based manufacturer has not neglected safety and proposes the package of SsangYong driving assistance systems (SASS). Among other things, the Rexton can carry nine airbags, autonomous emergency braking, involuntary lane departure warning, lane departure collision warning, traffic sign recognition system, intelligent high beam control, vehicle start warning front, blind spot detection system, active anti-roll system and rear cross-traffic warning.
In addition, the new generation has incorporated unprecedented security systems such as intelligent adaptive cruise control, lane keeping system, fatigue control, safety distance warning, rear cross traffic assistant, blind spot collision assistance or safe parking exit warning.
It also has a trailer sway control system. And it is that the Korean is especially capable in this sense because the maximum braked towable mass is 3,000 kg, a figure above that of almost all SUVs and that, again, is a big difference compared to this type of vehicle. The Korean is not afraid of hard work.
The 2022 Ssangyong Rexton is for sale from 37,200 euros including current discounts, which positions it, by far, as the cheapest seven-seater SUV on the market. The Korean brand gives a guarantee of five years or 100,000 km.
For price, it could face models such as the KIA Sorento, the Peugeot 5008 or the SEAT Tarraco, to name a few examples. These SUVs have a more refined ride overall, but none can match the Korean’s towing capacity and offroad demeanor. Nope, the Rexton is in a different league.
It is a family SUV with seven seats, all-wheel drive and reduction gear and there are few models of those and they are much more expensive. Its main rival is the Toyota Land Cruiser, although he also looks askance at the Jeep Grand Cherokee or the Land Rover Discovery. All of them are at least 20,000 euros more expensive with the same equipment, so it is very likely that the Ssangyong Rexton will continue to have a wide clientele.