Ssangyong Tivoli review

However, the Tivoli offers four driven wheels from just over £17,500, a six-speed automatic 'box from less than £16,000, and both heated leather and 18in wheels as standard for less than £15,000.

The firm’s done its financial homework, too, and is offering super-affordable, pay-monthly PCP deals from less than £170-a-month, underwritten by lenders already willing to take a punt that residual values on the car will be competitive.

Ssangyong’s claim that the new car's design is eye-catching, probably has more credibility in its native Korean market than in Europe. Here, the likes of the Juke make the Tivoli look derivative. That said, it’s a sufficiently competent and contemporary-looking car to merit a closer look.

The cabin’s chief virtue is its space. Occupant room in both rows is close to class-leading and easily generous enough for larger adults. Getting in and out is easy thanks to the raised seating level. Even without sliding the back seats, the boot will accommodate 423 litres of stuff, making the car one of the more useful of its kind. The boot’s fairly short but also square, wide and tall, and for anyone requiring significant boot space, Ssangyong also sells the Ssangyong Tivoli XLV, offering an extended rear end for more space, though still only a five-seater.

The fascia's design is as derivative as that of the exterior, but it’s far from plain. With the exception of the plastic steering wheel and cheap, dated-looking gearknob of the SE version, cabin quality is more than acceptable. Meanwhile, there’s plenty of useful storage around the interior, including a centre cubby large enough for an iPad.

To drive, the car lacks the dynamic sophistication of some of its European rivals, but does enough not to disgrace itself. The 147bhp 1.6-litre petrol is short on torque compared with turbocharged alternatives, and its long gear ratios have been chosen for economy rather than speed.

As a result, it doesn’t deliver remotely peppy or particularly flexible performance but goes well enough, and better than some of its competitors. Mechanical refinement is quite good, even if the cabin isn’t isolated from road noise with the same thoroughness.