SsangYong Kyron
4x4 of the Year 2007 | Soft Roader
“Once thought of simply as a fringe player. Ssangyong is making strides in terms of styling and quality in its products. We laughed at the wacky Musso and Korando, but have to admit that the Kyron , though styled by the same British designer looks much more palatable, with its wedgy, high-tailed shape and bright lozenge headlamps. The Kyron offers nothing new in terms of drivetrain – it has simple a selectable 4WD system and, unusually in this class of car includes low range gearing.
Kyron impresses us off road where we found good use for the Hill Descent Control System featured on the higher-spec SE and SX models. These also boast high-end features such as an electronic stability programme to limit wheelspin and rollover protection. The Kyron is also very a practical family car with a roomy five-seater interior, plus curtain and side airbags on top models. Ride comfort on the all-coils suspension is not quite as refined as on leading European rivals, but is by no means uncomfortable, and though the steering is a little on the vague side, the Kyron’s road behaviour is taught and stable.
Modern convenience features include rain-sensing wipers and air-con on all versions. The cabin boasts a lot of rear leg room, a big boot and a simple and effective flat-floor seat fold arrangement. Only one engine is available – a modern 141bhp turbodiesel. Top versions can be specified with a state of the art Mercedes 5-speed automatic with two reverse gears and adaptive shifting.”
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