First Drive: Ssangyong ActyonIts name sounds funny, it looks a bit strange, but can the Ssangyong Actyon deliver the goods? Conor Twomeyreports
The funny thing about driving a Ssangyong is you suddenly become very conscious of all the other Ssangyongs on the road. It's quite astonishing how many are out there, given that it's a relatively new brand and that some of Ssangyong's designs are, um, shall we say, rather provocative.
Or maybe that's why I'm noticing them all of a sudden - perhaps my eye has adjusted to the Actyon's, er, unique looks, so now as soon as a Ssangyong appears as a dot on the horizon, I immediately know which model it is. Whereas some Ssangyong models, like the Rodius, are aesthetically challenged or just plain pug ugly, the Actyon is rather cutting edge from a design perspective.
The front appears to have been styled to resemble an eagle's face and is certainly imposing and capable of putting the heart crossways in small animals on the road.
In profile, the Actyon is no less attention-grabbing; its 18-inch wheels sit right at the corner and the coupé roofline is the first of its kind on an SUV, giving it a head start on BMW and Mercedes, who are both planning to launch similarly rakish SUVs soon.
The rear, however, is the Actyon's least inspiring view. The swage lines converge awkwardly across its expansive tailgate and the high belt-line pushes the glass so far skywards it almost looks like a van from behind and loading up can be a real chore.
Inside, the Actyon is a similarly mixed bag. Some of the dashboard design is pointlessly overwrought while the plastics aren't exactly top-drawer, either.
The aftermarket stereo also feels cheap, while the dials are oppressively drab to behold, but on the plus-side, the Actyon's cabin is solidly screwed together, the seats are comfortable and supportive and despite the busy design, the ergonomic layout is fairly straightforward - even the odd circular switch clusters start to make sense after a while.
It's also very roomy although that high window-line severely limits visibility, making parking sensors (standard on the top model) and carefully-adjusted door mirrors essential.
The Actyon's 141 bhp, 320 Nm 2-litre diesel is one of its best traits, pulling strongly without getting too vocal about having to drag two tonnes around.
The 4-speed transmission is abysmal, though, responding slowly to throttle inputs and shifting in a clunky and unrefined manner. Because of its ladder-frame chassis, the handling isn't terribly sharp either, with slow, vague steering (and huge steering wheel) and lots of body-roll in roundabouts and tight bends.
The ride is soft but crashy on poor surfaces (despite the double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspensions) although it does cruise reasonably well and 4x4 versions are simply unstoppable off-road.
The Actyon's big selling point, however, is its value for money. Base models start at €31,950 and feature remote central locking, electric windows and mirrors, air conditioning and 16-inch alloy wheels with ESP and hill-descent control as standard on 4WD models. Our range topper costs €40,950 and adds leather seats, an automatic transmission, climate control, 18-inch alloys and cruise control.
On the face of it, then, you do get a lot of car for your money and there's no fear of losing it in a car park, but, the Ssangyong Actyon is rather off the pace and lacks the polish of its more expensive rivals.
Factfile Ssangyong Actyon
A200 XDi 4X4 Auto
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel, 141 hp, 320 Nm
Transmission: four-speed automatic
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h: 15.7 seconds
Top speed: 162 km/h
Economy: 8.5 L/100 km
CO2: 216 g/km
Boot Capacity: 321 litres
Weight: 1998kg
Price: €40,950
Equipment: Remote central locking, electric windows and mirrors, 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, climate control, cruise control, privacy glass, front and curtain airbags, ISOFIX, ESP and hill-descent control.