Search
Close this search box.
Sign up for our weekly Newsletter

Ssangyong Tivoli 1.6 e-XGi160 ELX review: New Korean a serious rival to mainstream crossovers – just not in petrol form

Tivoli ELX diesel Techno Grey 1
The Tivoli, with generous levels of standard equipment, is raising SsangYong's profile

Share

7 September 2015

Ssangyong Tivoli 1.6 e-XGi160 ELX review

What is it?

The Ssangyong brand is best-known for its range of off-roaders, but the Tivoli is the Korean manufacturer’s serious assault on the popular B-segment crossover market.

With its curvier styling, a new moncoque chassis and the choice of both new 1.6 petrol and diesel engines, plus two and four-wheel drive, could the Tivoli be the Ssangyong that will make the breakthrough and appeal to mainstream buyers?

We hit the roads in the 1.6-litre two-wheel drive petrol, in range-topping ELX trim, to find out.

What’s hot?

  • We’re not sure you could call the Tivoli beautiful, but it’s definitely the most cohesively styled model the Korean manufacturer has produced in recent years. I mean can you remember the odious Rodius? Highlights of the angular shape are the curves around the front and rear arches, with the front and rear light units following those curves. There’s also a large cut out at the bottom of the doors to give the side of the Tivoli more definition. There’s even some personalisation options in the form of different alloys and contrasting roof colours
  • The good news continues inside the Tivoli, with a stylish, spacious and conventional feel to the interior. The range-topping ELX we have here offers the choice of two distinctive colour leather options, the red is a bit gaudy in our opinion, but the beige is classy. The colour of the easy to read instruments can also be changed too.
  • The angular shape means the Tivoll’s interior is spacious, with plenty of room for five passengers. The practically-shaped 432-litre boot compares well with rivals too.
  • Hit the road and like many of its crossover rivals, the Tivoli isn’t the most exciting drive. Competent is probably the best way to describe the Ssangyong. In two-wheel drive, the body control is still good, with negligible body roll, the steering is reasonably precise and the gearchange sharp, although it doesn’t like to be rushed!
  • We drove the range-topping Tivoli ELX which has impressive levels of standard kit, including climate control, touchscreen sat-nav, keyless go, stop/start, parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, and a rear-view camera – all for just £16,000. Plus, there’s a five-year warranty too.

Share this article

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Reddit
Email

Want more motoring news?

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Latest news

Top