The Korando is an improvement for SsangYong, but they were starting from a very low base. The Astra GTC is a very nice looking car as far as I'm concerned.

This isn't really helpful at all is it?. Did it not occur to you that as the OP is very keen on the Korando, he likes how it looks?. Making the issue of which looks better between an Astra and the Korando entirely irrelevant.

Personally, i like the looks of the Korando. One of my customers used to have one (in red), and i always felt it was a nice looking car. Simple unfussy lines with nice proportions, i felt it was a better looking SUV than most, and certainly more so than any of BMW, Mercedes or (most) Audi offerings.

Owners do seem to like them, but i'd wager most were bought due to price, warranty, dealer location, towing capability or a combination of the above. Not typically the kind of car folk buy from the heart!. Road tests are very critical of the Korando's ride handling and refinement (basically saying it drives like a tractor, which may be an exaggeration!) not to mention the interior quality. So have a good long test drive to see how you find it. But also, as SLO points out, parts availability isn't great, so (even if you do like how it drivers) if you don't have a dealer nearby, i'd be inclined to give it a miss.

Re the Tuscon, bear in mind that it is the mechanical twin of the Kia Sportage, the current version of which debuted in 2016, but the previous model ran from 2010-2016. So might be worthy of consideration, and will certainly drive more like your Wife's Tuscon than a Korando.

You have not given a budget, but given 2015 Korando's run from £6k up to about £11k (optimistic!). So even saying £8k, that could get you into a 2014(ish) Sportage 1.6 turbo diesel (this has 133bhp, there is also a less powerful 1.7 with 114bhp, you will get into one of those about a year younger for the same money)

How helpful is it for you to suggest he should be looking at a Kia when he is asking for comments between an Astra and Korando?

Hmm, lets see.

1, the OP says his wife bought a Hyundai Tuscon which he has a drive in and absolutely loves.

2, He can't actually afford the Tuscon in question.

3, The Sportage is the mechanical twin of the Tuscon (so will drive in a similar manner).

4, The Sportage is available within a similar budget to the Korando.

I've always liked to be a little different, my previous car was a Renault Wind, a two seater hard top convertible. I also ride an automatic maxi-scooter, a Sym Maxsym 600i, not your typical mainstream vehicles if that makes any sense! i think that's why i like the Korando, it's not everyone's cup of tea, (exclusivity!! haha)

I can understand that Don, i am very much in favour of supporting the underdog myself!. And as i mentioned earlier, i actually like the looks of the Korando, it isn't as 'shouty' (LOOK AT ME!!) as most modern SUV's.

I've read the professional reviews, the majority seem to agree that the Korando is 2-3/5 stars, I can categorically state now "I am not a professional driver", I wouldn't know 'understeer' if it bit my bum!!

I wouldn't take too much from a mototring journalist's review, by and large, they are only interested in how fast it goes, how well it handles on a twisty road and how good its 'infotainment' system is. By all means, look at owners reviews, but best to do as you say, take it for a good run. And if you like it, go for it.

But let us know how you get on.

Apples and pears.

These ssangyongs arn't going to drive like a modern euro hatch, but that isn't what they are about, they have to be up to conditions in their homelands or they won't sell, so euro style driving dynamics arn't on the designs sheet, just as coping with harsh conditions without things like springs breaking arn't on a euro hatchbacks designs sheet.

If you like how it drives buy it, then look after it with sensible preventative maintenance so it lasts.

I like how Landcruisers drive, HJ thinks they are too cumbersome for towns, personally i find them a better bet on Northants third world in town road surfaces than some euro thing likely to snap its springs or burst a 30 aspect tyre on a freezing cold morning in a fresh pot hole, but each to their own i don't expect anyone else to like what i like, and that's how it should be unless we become a communist dictatorship where proles may only buy what the state dictates, a situation we appear to be moving towards so buy what you like before the state denies you that freedom too....i suspect the ssangyong will be a bit like a smaller LC, built to take a bit of rough stuff so it isn't going to drive as other europeanised cars would.

Edited by gordonbennet on 01/03/2020 at 10:30

Thanks for coming back to us, Don. Good luck with the Korando: it sounds like a lot of car for the money.