SsangYong Tivoli Review: 2016 ELX Diesel 4x4 Auto

Photo 2016 SsangYong Tivoli ELX Diesel 4x4 Auto

2016 SsangYong Tivoli ELX Diesel 4×4 Auto Review

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We spend time with the new Ssangyong Tivoli 4×4. SsangYong’s four-wheel drive take on the successful Tivoli. Is the 4WD version worth the extra?

The SsangYong Tivoli arrived in the UK in two-wheel drive form back in June and impressed all who sampled it with a blend of funky looks, a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and a bargain basement price tag.

Now, Korea’s oldest vehicle manufacturer has added a four-wheel drive variant to the range in a bid to tempt buyers looking for a little more flexibility when the going – or the garden centre car park – gets tough. We’ve sampled the model on, and off-road.

Visually identical to its two-wheel drive counterpart – save for side-mounted badge – the Tivoli 4×4 employs an all-wheel drive torque on demand system that sends power to all four wheels when conditions dictate. Under normal driving conditions, power is sent only to the front wheels. There’s also a ‘Lock’ mode which you can select to continually distribute power to all four wheels at speeds below 25mph.

Thanks to a 167mm ground clearance and approach and departure angles of 20.5 degrees and 28.0 respectively, the Tivoli 4×4 is seriously capable off-road. It also makes for a compelling tow car; the model can pull loads of up to 1,500kg. Our test route included a stint on Millbrook’s famously tough 4×4 course, where the car was not phased by a combination of 1-in-3 climbs, sticky clay surfaces and deep water wades.

“The Tivoli’s Hill Start Assist system inspires confidence when tackling steep inclines too, and this was demonstrated on a particularly tricky mid-descent stop-and-reverse manoeuvre”

The Tivoli’s Hill Start Assist system inspires confidence when tackling steep inclines too, and this was demonstrated on a particularly tricky mid-descent stop-and-reverse manoeuvre. Trouble is, the Tivoli 4×4’s strengths off-road highlight its shortcomings on it.

The car is powered by a newly-developed e-XDi160 1.6 litre Euro 6 diesel engine, to which buyers can mate a 6-speed manual or an Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission. The model returns a combined 60.1mpg in manual guise and 47.9mpg in auto. Co2 emissions are 123g/km and 156g/km, respectively.

While relatively efficient, the engine is noisy even at idle. Out on the road, it feels strained when attempting to overtake other road users and seems a good deal slower than its official 12.3 second sprint time suggests.

The model we tested was a range-topping £19,500 ELX, equipped with the auto transmission, which is reluctant to respond to firm throttle inputs. The driving experience is further hamstrung by a fidgety ride. Even on smooth surfaces the car feels unsettled – you’d be forgiven for thinking that the car has a much higher centre of gravity than it really does.

Wind and road noise are notable in their absence though, while the steering is direct and well-weighted. An easy-to-operate one-touch cruise control system makes for painless motorway cruising.

“It’s a shame that the materials used inside are some way behind those of the Kia Soul and Nissan Juke, but there’s no faulting the layout”

Value-for-money remains the Tivoli 4×4’s trump card. The model starts at £17,100, which means it’s cheaper than most variants of the Kia Soul, which is not available with AWD. Despite the price, the Tivoli 4×4 is loaded with standard kit, including leather seat trim, a seven-inch touchscreen multimedia system, cruise control and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Our test car benefited from the TomTom sat nav system, which is a great deal more intuitive than some rival manufacturer-developed systems such as Renault’s R-Link.

It’s a shame that the materials used inside are some way behind those of the Kia Soul and Nissan Juke, but there’s no faulting the layout. A smattering of neat design touches – such as pulsing dials and a polyphonic-toned ‘Goodbye’ message – help to lift the cabin ambience.

The Tivoli 4×4 is available only in EX and ELX grades and there’s a choice of six exterior and three leather interior colours. There’s also a ‘My Tivoli’ personalisation programme, principally comprised of a £400 Styling Pack, which lets buyers add a two-tone roof and body combination. Choose carefully, and you’ll end up with a properly stylish-looking car.

Despite some shortcomings in refinement, dynamics and sensory quality, the Tivoli 4×4 is a worthy leftfield alternative to more mainstream rivals, thanks in no part to its distinctive looks, flexible drivetrain and generous five-year unlimited mileage warranty.