The BYD S6 was first introduced in 2010 at the Guangzhou Auto Show in China before hitting the Chinese market in 2011. The SUV enjoyed great sales success thanks to its popular design, interior features, and five-star C-NCAP crash-test rankings. Features like its TFT gauge cluster, onboard digital TV, smart key, and remote control made it a standout among the competition. While the S6’s design might not be the most beautiful in the world, it offers many the perks Chinese SUV buyers are looking for. Its familiar Mitsubishi- sourced engines give buyers a choice of three powerplants and three transmissions. Seating for five comes standard and the rear seats fold down, making room for more cargo.
BYD S6 is the first SUV model independently designed and manufactured by the China's Shenzhen-based battery, PV and auto maker, BYD Company Ltd..[1][2] BYD S6 was shown at the Guangzhou Auto Show in late 2010[1] and since May 6, 2011 when this model was first officially sold in Changsha, China, it has witnessed a vibrant growth in sales thanks to its attractive SUV exterior design and overall performance in electronic equipment and safety etc.[3][4] It became the best selling China domestic SUV in sales volume by reaching 15,000 units in December, 2011, being awarded as "Fastest Seller SUV"[2][5] and has been named China's "SUV of the Year" according to the Annual Ranking of Chinese Automobiles – the highest honor in the China Automotive Industry
The SsangYong Tivoli is central to this aim, its built on an all-new platform to compete with cars such as the Nissan Juke, Ford EcoSport and the Vauxhall Mokka in the ever-popular (and still growing) small crossover market. While the Tivoli can’t match the striking styling of the Juke, this is arguably the best-looking SsangYong yet, and the company is claiming to have taken massive strides on the inside, too. The car will also come loaded with kit, including an optional seven-inch central screen on the dashboard.
Pros Spacious for its size Generous standard equipment Cheap
Cons Not as striking as the Juke Quality falls behind the best in class Bland to drive
The Ssangyong Tivoli competes in the small SUV market, alongside rivals such as the Nissan Juke and Kia Soul. These cars offer the look and feel of an off-roader, but with performance and running costs more akin to a family hatchback. Do bear in mind, however, they’re better suited to on-road driving than traversing muddy lanes. That’s certainly the case with the Tivoli, although unlike its aforementioned rivals, you can order it with four-wheel drive on higher trims. A 1.6-litre petrol or 1.6-litre diesel is available throughout the range, combined with a six-speed manual gearbox. A six-speed automatic is available for both engines on all but the entry-level SE.
You can put aside your reservations about the SsangYong badge, because the Tivoli is a thoroughly capable small crossover for the money. It’s not the most stylish inside or out, and it won’t win awards for ride comfort or refinement, but you get a lot of space and kit for little financial outlay. The latter two points are especially true of the Tivoli XLV, but it’s more expensive, and we'd go for the two-wheel-drive version to save some money. The standard Tivoli is decent to drive, while with the diesel engine and is by far the best on-road car SsangYong has built yet.
