THIS is the new SsangYong Rexton. An SUV, the Rexton is the latest model from Korea’s oldest car manufacturer and officially unveiled at the Seoul Motor Show.

Available with a choice of three diesel engines – and a 3.2-litre petrol you would have to be insane to consider – three trim levels and very reasonable list prices, the new SsangYong Rexton should have the potential to challenge a few of its rivals.

Styled to be robust and dynamic with a luxurious interior, we take an advance peek at the new Rexton to see if it can live up to the expectation.

The overall design is inoffensive SUV fare, but what the exterior lacks the Rexton makes up for with quite a luxurious and well equipped interior. Standard across the range are:

• Apple Carplay and Android Auto;
• 3D Around View Monitoring; and
• 9.2 inch touchscreen.

Upgrade to the EX for leather upholstery and park assist; if you want satnav opt for the range-topping ELX.

If you’re going to choose a Rexton then the 2.2 diesel is by far the better option and with prices starting from just £22,995 there are obvious financial benefits.

PCP customers can expect to pay around £280 per month for the base model SE, rising to £430 for the ELX.

Contract hire figures range from £310 to £375 per month.

Unfortunately the Ssangyong Rexton falls behind in terms of emissions. Even the most efficient combination of engine and gearbox produces 179g/km in 2WD; in 4WD it rises to 184g/km. Almost every other pairing of engine and gearbox pushes these figures into the 200s, the petrol version registering a massive 337g/km. So clearly no company car contender, then.

The SsangYong Rexton has always provided a tough, good-value proposition. The new Rexton looks set to continue this theme, but with emissions that high, it looks a better proposition as a personal purchase or personal lease to avoid punitive company car tax.