SecondhandSense/Ssangyong Rexton:Watching someone trying to park a Ssangyong Rexton in the centre of Dublin last week one was struck by the inappropriateness of driving such a vehicle in an urban environment. Time after time the driver had to lock the steering wheel to move the car into position and even then the end result looked as if it was the first time the person had tried to park any car, never mind the rather massive Ssangyong.
As a concept the Rexton is not suited to an urban environment. It is as big as four-wheel drives come, has that massive turning circle that will make your arm muscles sore, has a very big diesel engine (older models have a 2.9-litre diesel engine, the newer ones since 2004 have a choice of 2.9-litre and 2.7-litre oil-burners) and it is not a smooth vehicle to drive.
It is however, big and powerful and not a bad option for those who actually need something that will pull a horse box or tackle harsh off-road conditions.
It is also a competitively-priced car and, like all Korean vehicles, well-equipped.
Dual front and side airbags, stability and brake programmes, extra braking capacity in emergencies, an obstacle warning system and rain-sensing wipers are all standard on the car since 2004. It is a very big car, internally and externally - too much so, one could argue. It belongs well outside the city and its pedigree is that of workhorse.
The original 2.9-litre engine and the current 2.7 litre are both Mercedes engines and are very good indeed, but the older unit is noisy and not exactly perky by today's standards. The automatic version has a gearbox also supplied by Mercedes which marries very well indeed with the engine.
But you won't find the Rexton a very pleasant car to drive when it comes to ride and handling. The car wallows in sharp bends and you really do get a sharp reminder that this is more what the Americans call a "truck" than what we call a car.
Inside, the Rexton has that familiar sea of plastic we have become accustomed to from Korean manufacturers but with the standard leather upholstery it has a lighter touch than some of its competitors from Korea. Seats are big and there is plenty of room all round.
The boot is good, with easy access and a very big load area. Some models have rear tinted glass - avoid them because of safety concerns for night driving, if not for the sheer embarrassment factor.
It's a capable off-roader, unlike some of the smaller pretenders in this area and the engine really pulls the car well. But even the overall profile of the car makes little impact when compared to the others in this class - its looks are not attractive but rather utilitarian and dated.
The Rexton doesn't have a EuroNCAP crash test rating, which provokes a certain hesitation when considering it, but it has to be said there are a lot of cars out there that have never undergone EuroNCAP crash testing. Neither is there a published recall record for the Rexton.
A 2003 model with the older 2.9-litre engine, 55,000 miles with an extensive list of standard equipment costs about €22,000. A 2004 version with the 2.7-litre engine, 37,000 miles on the clock and the same equipment costs about €29,000.
FOR:Very keen second-hand prices. Big and practical in the right environment
AGAINST:No design flair, lacks the cachet of something like an equivalent Toyota