Ssangyong Rexton review

The buy-in prices are very reasonable for a car of this size and equipment, but the SsangYong Rexton’s engines are not the most efficient, so it’ll cost more to run than some seven-seat SUVs, like the Hyundai Santa Fe (though its prices are around ten per cent higher, says SsangYong). The Rexton’s 2.2-litre turbodiesel claims to achieve 34mpg and 218g/km, but in our testing it settled at 28mpg, and if you’re engaging the 3,500kg towing capacity, that’ll obviously tumble. 

In terms of reliability, there’s peace of mind. The Rexton enjoys SsangYong’s unlimited mileage five-year warranty, and its rugged construction makes it feel like the chances of a warranty claim are as likely as a wood-burning stove breaking down. Service intervals pop up every 12 months or 12,500 miles, and dealerships aren’t as sparse as you might have feared, with 65 centres dotted around the UK. 

SsangYong residuals tend to be poorer than rivals, but faithful owners keeping hold of their tough workhorses, and running them for longer than your average SUV floating voter offset this to an extent. The Rexton, for all its oddly handsome bluffness and mega kit levels, isn’t at home in town. But if you’re a rural dweller with land to roam across, horseboxes to tow and a gaggle of muddy children and dogs to transport, the Rexton would be an ideal bargain companion.