2016 Ssangyong Turismo 2.2 e-XDi ELX auto first drive

Ssangyong has been a peripheral figure in the world of car manufacturing since its inauguration in 1954. However, its fortunes turned around in 2004 when SAIC, the company that also resurrected MG Rover from the ashes, bought a 49% stake in it. Since then, the Ssangyong range has been updated and extended, and it appears to be finding some form with the recently launched Ssangyong Tivoli. 

Now, the range-topping Turismo has been revised for 2016 and given a new 176bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine (in place of the old 2.0-litre) with either a six-speed manual or a Mercedes-Benz sourced seven-speed automatic gearbox, and selectable four-wheel drive as well. However, there is an elephant in the room, and it's no metaphorical one; the Turismo is massive. It’s not only 131mm longer than a Range Rover, it is also taller and 85kg heavier, registering a portly 2245kg kerb weight.

The Turismo has been on sale in the UK since 2013. It replaced the unpopular Rodius, a car considered by some as one of the ugliest of all time. The Turismo is certainly an improvement, if still unlikely to win many beauty pageants. From the back, it could be mistaken for a Ford Galaxy, but the side profile is very metal heavy so the wheels look lost, and from the front, well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

However, the real selling point of this car is its price - it undercuts equivalent rivals by many thousands of pounds. Here we're testing the range-topping ELX, which gets the aforementioned auto 'box and four-wheel drive as standard. It also comes with front heated seats, cruise control, parking sensors and 17in alloy wheels. The optional touch-screen sat nav had been added to our test car. 

Big. Climb into the cabin and you’ll find acres of space. The dash is dominated by a centrally positioned instrument cluster, which (despite being large and clear) seems a long way from you, and requires quite a glance away from the road to check your speed. Otherwise, there's a lot of graphite coloured plastic, akin to a budget fridge from Argos, and some squidgy plastics around the top of the dash and along the doors.

There’s plenty of storage. The central armrest doubles as a usefully deep compartment and there are numerous cupholders and map holders in the doors. The standard leather seats are too firm at the mid to upper back regions, the squabs are a little on the short side and the driver’s seat doesn’t lower enough. All this contributes to an unavoidably high-set driving position that feels similar to that of a van or minibus. Unhelpfully, the steering wheel isn’t reach adjustable, either. Visibility, however, is excellent all-round, although the over-the-shoulder view is hindered by the thick C-pillar and rear headrest. An overhead digital clock brings memories of Ford Orions from the 1990s.

The middle row consists of two comfortable, individual armchairs, which can slide and recline and have plenty of room around them, and even get roof-mounted air vents and a USB charging point.

There are two ways of getting to the third row of seats, but neither is perfect. The traditional way of sliding and tilting the middle seats forward is awkward, requiring two separate actions, so many will find it easier to climb through the cabin and between the middle row of seats. The rear bench, if used for three, is best limited to children; head room is excellent and leg room is good, but three adults would struggle for shoulder room.