As a people mover the Exiga is a brilliant car, it will happily seat a family of six in comfort and entertain the kids with its rear DVD entertainment system (nine-inch wide screen setup comes standard). For the first look of the Exiga Subaru took Australia's motoring press to Canberra for a long journey through rural NSW. Before getting into one, the most notable feature of the Exiga is of course its styling. It's hard to say how it will go down with the buyers but it's worth noting that despite the current Liberty, Outback and Impreza being regarded by some as not-the-prettiest-of-cars, all three models are selling better than ever.
The Subaru Exiga (pronounced x-shiga) is a crossover utility vehicle (CUV) that debuted as a concept car during the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. According to the Japanese Subaru press introduction materials, the name "Exiga" is a neologism combination of the words "exciting" and "active". The vehicle boasts a supersize panoramic glass roof and theater-style seating, with rear passengers sitting a little higher than those in front. Seats in the concept vehicle were upholstered in leather and trimmed in pearl white and blue. The rear seatbacks incorporate fold-down tray tables, similar to those on airplanes.
SsangYongs have been on sale in the UK since the ’90s – the company usually offers big SUVs for less than the majority of their competitors. Sadly, most of their models have proved to be lacklustre alternatives to the likes of the Kia Sportage, Suzuki Vitara and Nissan Qashqai. To drive, the Korando isn’t much fun, but most people buy one because they need an SUV either for tackling rough terrain or towing – two roles the SsangYong is perfectly suited to.
Pros Lots of space Relatively economical Generous standard kit
Cons Fast depreciation Dull styling Cheap feeling interior
The SsangYong Korando gives you a lot of car for your money – but nowhere near as much as a Dacia Duster.The SsangYong Korando is the brand’s mid-size SUV, pitched as a low-cost rival to the Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. On the move, the Korando isn’t as stable as a lot of its rivals, either – it tends to wallow about when going around corners and has an uncomfortable ride.
Pros Good value for money Spacious interior Low emissions
Cons Noisy diesel engine Poor-quality plastics Uncomfortable suspension
Not only was it a handsome addition to the compact crossover market, it was also the firm’s very first monocoque model – meaning it delivered a far better approximation of a car’s handling characteristics than any of the body-on-frame SUVs that continue to fill out the firm’s modest lineup. On the plus side, the Korando gets large storage bins, reach and rake adjustment for the steering wheel and generous equipment levels on higher-spec models. It is also competitive on interior space; offering decent leg and headroom for rear passengers, and acceptable luggage space. The interior is slightly less forgettable, but only because it comes partly clad in the kind of cheap plastic which cannot otherwise find a home in this class. The redesigned dashboard makes ergonomic sense, although it hasn’t lost any of its brittleness.
