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4 x 4 & MPV 27th April 2005
People will get a surprise when the SsangYong Rodius cruises into view. Not only is it unmissably big, it is immensely distinctive. The imposing grille and bonnet would be more at home on a 4 x 4 people carrier, while at the back end of this new seven-seater appears to have had an extension grafted on. Come to think of it, people will be gobsmacked at the sight of the Rodius. But, after an exclusive first taste of the newcomer in pre-production form, the biggest shock awaits the driver: the Rodius is not the least bit intimidating behind the wheel and generally drives as easily as any of it’s seven-seat competitors.
What Is It?
The Rodius is the latest from SsangYong, the Chinese-backed Korean manufactuere known for it’s 4 x 4s. The Rodius is their first foray into MPV’s and sits alongside the Rexton 4 x 4 in the UK line-up. There is in fact a strong UK connection: the car is the work of bristish car designer Ken Greenley (also responsible for the 1990s SsangYong Musso, another controversial design). By avoiding altogether the normal ‘monospace’ one-box MPV shape, the Rodius completely shatters the normal, often anonymous, MPV mould. Like it or loathe it, this car has massive presence.
Like the SsangYong 4 x 4s the Rodius benefits from a strong Mercedes-Benz connection. The huge platform, sophisticated independent suspension and 2.7 litre five-cylinder common-rail turbodiesel can all trace their engineering routes back to various Mercedes models, while the five-speed automatic transmission is a Mercedes box. At just over 5m (16.8ft) long the Rodius is the same size as the Mercedes S-class – but at 1820mm (6ft) tall, it’s quite a bit higher than a Renault Espace. No wonder there’s lots of room inside. In Korea there is in fact an eleven-seat version, with four rows of seats.
Inside Story
The UK gets only the seven-seater with a 2-2-3 seating formation and wide centre ‘aisle’ for walk-through access. All the seats are comfortable (even the three-person rear bench offers far more than just token comfort) and there’s masses of space and a light and very bright interior.
Al the seats recline (into bed mode if needed) and slide fore/aft on rails by a large amount. But even configured for maximum cabin room (legroom enough for seven basketball players) there is still a decently sized boot. In terms of space and practicality, that ‘extension’ at the back really does pay off.
The driving position is good, with more in common with a big 4 x 4 or luxury saloon than a people carrier. The controls are neat and the bold dials in the centre of the dash easy to see. A la Beetle, there’s an in-dash flower holder.
All is not completely rosy inside, however. The swooping C-pillar badly cuts across passengers’ view out – as well as making reversing difficult for the driver – and the pair of middle seats don’t tip forward for easy access to the back. In the up-spec model, these seats do spin round to face rearwards, however, while in any model there are lots of family friendly MPV touches including tables and fresh air vents for all three rows.
Other disappointments are rattles from the rear bench seat when unoccupied (a shame in an otherwise sturdy and neatly finished cabin), and a fiddly to use aftermarket stereo.
On the Road
For such a big thing it drives very well. Star of the show is the engine and it’s ultra-smooth shifting auto-box. The car cruises quietly but during acceleration the engine is loud, with a deep growl. However, it is easy to forgive this slightly uncouth row because in return it delivers lively and responsive performance. Diesel Volvo XC90 owners would be impressed.
The Rodius handles better than it’s huge size would suggest, with sufficient control to keep body roll within comfort limits and banish any suggestion of float at speed. This is, though, at the expense of a rather lumpy, noisy ride over broken surfaces, but the ride is never uncomfortable.
The brakes seem well up to the job, as is the steering. The rack and pinion system, with just enough feel and power assistance on the right side of being overdone, allows for consistent and accurate placement on the road and makes the car nicely stable at motorway speeds. Top speed is 108mph with 0 – 62mph in about 11 sec – all very competitive. SsangYong UK Ltd claim that for steady running, 30mpg is realistic.
How Much?
Price and specification of the UK Rodius are yet to be confirmed, but the likely starting price is around the £19000 mark for a car with seven-seats (and seven three-belt inertia rear belts), twin airbags, climate control, ESP and parking beepers (and boy do you need them). There is likely to be a top version with more equipment, as well as a four wheel drive Rodius. That is already on sale in other markets – staggeringly, it comes with low range gears, though it is not intended as a real off-roader.
All versions come as standard with the 165bhp 2.7 litre diesel (familiar from the Merc E and M-class) and automatic box. In terms of metal for the money – as well as a welcome breath of eccentricity in a sometimes dull market – there is nothing for sale in the UK market that gets remotely near it.
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