SsangYong may want you to believe that the Rexton SUV it unveiled today is “completely new”, but the body-on-frame off-roader is actually little different from its original 2017 version and even less so from the 2019 refresh.
Novelty on the outside includes a radiator grille, both bumpers and LED-based headlights. 18-inch wheels are included in the base spec, while higher trim levels get larger 20-inch rims. Finally, the badge reverts to its older design in South Korea.
Inside, the joystick-shaped gear selector is switch-by-wire, so you cannot fixate it in a position. The steering wheel now has four spokes instead of three, and the trimming materials are largely new. The standard spec still ships with an analogue dashboard with a tiny inbuilt display and an 8-inch infotainment system. Higher trims benefit from a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9-inch central display and satellite navigation. Also on the list are adaptive cruise control, front collision warning, blind zone monitoring, lane keeping assist and safe exit assist.
The 2.2-liter turbo diesel stays the only engine available, but its power grows from 187 to 202 PS (184 to 200 hp; 138 to 150 kW, respectively). The Mercedes-branded seven-speed DSG is no longer there, replaced by a new eight-speed transmission, and the power steering mechanism is now purely electric, rather than hydraulic. The torque can go to the rear axle or both, with a hard coupling on the front axle and a reduction gear.