Test: Ssangyong Torres - 'Kodiaq' at the price of Octavia Combi? Yes, there is
It doesn't have a four-wheel drive, but in addition to that it is loaded with equipment that allows it to carry a lot of luggage with the whole family. Taxes are just higher consumption. But the price speaks for itself. Ssangyong Torres will indeed use it to torment rivals.
Torres embodies this with a rugged off-road design. He did a fantastic job. It may take some getting used to, but you won't blend in with the crowd anyway. The front looks like a hybrid of a jeep and a Mitsubishi.
Last year we tried Ssangyong Torres for the first time. It is a "supercharged" version of the Premium 4×4 with an automatic transmission, for which the automaker will cost around 40,000 euros. Therefore, in the discussion about the tests, there was an opinion that it was a rather ambitious price for the Ssangyong brand, although in terms of performance and equipment Torres had no direct competitors in this class at that time. Perhaps after this test, your perception of value for money will change. We got a front-wheel-drive Torres Sytle with an automatic transmission and electric control for the fifth door. The price drops dramatically immediately, but you don't have to make any major compromises. If you still want a four-wheeler, it will cost less than €2,000. But that's exactly what SsangYong is offering today for the entire model range.
At 4.7 meters long, Torres is a formidable opponent for Skoda Kodiak. But it has a more adventurous nature. Just look at the huge roof and rear pillar of the aluminum design.
SUV image even without 4×4
With a length of 4,700 mm, Torres makes it clear that it is competing for favor with the Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tiguan, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and even the slightly smaller Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson. But the important thing is that even in the cheaper version of the Style, Torres doesn't have to be ashamed of his designs. It's hard to distinguish it from the most expensive Torres Premium. Basically, it has slightly smaller 18-inch wheels, which is ultimately just an advantage - on asphalt and dirt roads. Torres has not lost its off-road image either. The narrow vertical opening front grille is reminiscent of the latest Jeep, looking at the front bumper and you'll be reminded of some of Mitsubishi's Dynamic Shield, the taillights are reminiscent of a Range Rover, and the fake spare tire cover is a bit like an old Pajero.
The Torres has a fake spare tire cover in the back and looks like it also has an off-road turnstile. But they flipped it.
The metal design of the rear pillar allows for the installation of a case, which does not deny the inspiration of the Guard. But that's not a complaint, because everything fits together perfectly. Unlike the usual dull races, Torres is on the road and you never blend in with the crowd. The world of true dirt bikes is also emphasized through details – such as the red lid on the trailer eye on the front bumper, the handles on the almost horizontal front hood or the huge rear door handles placed asymmetrically, as if Torres had a winged rear door. Be compassionate. The huge roof profile is also very raw, and it begins to drop sharply behind the height of the rear seats. However, beneath the adventurous façade lies modern technology. For example, all-LED lights with effective graphics and automatic remote mode switching.
Behind the wheel of the Ssangyong Torres 2WD - exterior
LED fog lamps are also part of the standard equipment in the Style class. Our example is painted in forest green metallic paint and includes bumpers, mirrors, and door handles. If you give up, you can save €490 from the start. Torres could see the world even without her. While the Torres has a chassis net high of 195 mm, which is not an SUV class record, but rather an average one, the chassis is well protected by plastic "armor" that covers the thresholds and fenders. Interestingly, you will no longer see the Ssangyong logo on Torres' body. The dragon wings are specially mounted on wheels. Torres' inscription takes precedence. It seems that the rebranding of KG Mobility is indeed just around the corner. This is already a reality in some markets.
The sturdy cab and display are just like the Audi
Even in the cabin, you won't notice any fundamental differences compared to the Torres Premium. Especially if our Torres is equipped with a synthetic leather upholstery, it creates a very valuable atmosphere along with the black ceiling. Torres doesn't skimp on space, either. After all, boarding is comfortable in itself. The seats are heated as standard. But let's be honest, we hope they can give us more comfort. They are simpler in shape as compared to Rexton. Handrails are also cheaper. It consists of the lid of the storage box, so it cannot be adjusted in any way. Torres can also be moved forward by the steering wheel. Functionally, it's nothing to fault with it, it contains enough hardware, but it has a weirdly flat shape and a not-so-appealing design. It is said to support the hands in the correct position at nine and three o'clock. The hard plastic on the door panels will also stop. Savings have to be made somewhere.
The cab is not related to the previous Ssangyong model. The new instrument cluster comes with two displays, and Torres also adds a separate air conditioning display in the lower part of the center console.
On the other hand, you will enjoy an excellent view, which is improved by the relatively slender columns and the rearview mirrors located on the legs. The reversing camera helps with this. The dashboard has nothing to do with other Ssangyong. The tightly horizontal shape facilitates visibility and simplifies site positioning. You will no longer find the classic dashboard here. It was replaced by an elongated 12.5-inch display. The data is purely numeric. It looks modern. The central 9-inch infotainment screen continues to go digital. In addition to that, there are six hardware buttons and a classic volume control – fantastic. This section is really just for the media and communications. You can't get navigation at the "Style" level, but everything is handled by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, through which you can connect your smartphone. There is also an induction charger and two classic USB ports.
The third display on the center console is very rare. It is suitable for air conditioning, seat heating, or driving mode.
Then there is a gadget in the form of a third 8-inch display in the lower part of the center console, as if "peeking" out of Audi. It contains all the functions of air conditioning, seat heating, steering wheel, as well as the deactivation of the start-stop system, the activation of the hill control system, and even the selector of the driving mode. This division of functions between the three displays is very practical and much more intuitive than SsangYong integrating everything into a single screen. When we started the driving mode, the Torres offered Normal, Sport, and Winter modes. You won't find the eco-friendly model that your competitors are common to here. Torres' storage doesn't disappoint either. You can find them on the doors and center console. The small tray for fixing the phone is particularly pleasant, and you can use it very easily. The inductive charger, on the other hand, is very awkwardly hidden in the console slot behind the gear lever.
Behind the wheel of the Ssangyong Torres 2WD - interior
There is also plenty of space in the back
Torres was very generous in the back seat. Especially the legroom and headroom, so that you will feel comfortable even on long journeys. Due to the width of the body and the flat sides, even the third passenger can find a solid position here. It's just that the slope of the "seat" can be slightly steeper to better support the thighs. However, we noticed that there is not much difference in the height of the front and rear seats. You can fit the whole family in the trunk, but compared to its competitors, especially the Kodiak, Torres isn't the king of its class. Perhaps that's why Ssangyong specifically marked the volume of the trunk (839 liters) on the roof. You won't know how many blinds are actually placed. If you opt for a long-distance spare tire, the trunk will be 136 litres smaller. We didn't have a reservation, but we definitely recommend it.
Even at the back, Torres has plenty of space. However, the adjustable backrest also ensures comfort.
We also want to have some fixing hooks or nets for securing bags and small items. The Torres doesn't even have a double floor, so when the backrest folds down and opens only from the cabin, it creates a smaller step. The attached electric lid controls are practical, but the Torres will open the trunk even when you don't want to. As with Kia or Hyundai, the system activates automatically when approaching the baggage compartment. Just put the key in your pocket and stand here for a few seconds. For example, if you're just talking on the phone in the car, there's nothing extra. When you leave, chances are you don't know that your Torres is welcoming the thief with open arms. Luckily, this feature can be turned off through the dashboard menu. That's what we do.
Torres isn't the record holder in its class when it comes to the trunk, but it has a range reserve under the floor, and with the backrest folded down, it becomes a van. We just lacked hooks or nets to secure our luggage.
A smaller engine is sufficient, but it is not possible to save
You don't have to worry about choosing a drive unit. Tivoli, Korando, and Torres all rely on a single engine. We are talking about a turbocharged petrol 4-cylinder 1.5 GDI Turbo with 120 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque. Of course, these parameters give Torres decent momentum, although you can still feel it running out of breath on the highway, especially if you want to overtake. The aerodynamics of the large body will not "let go". Even the sport mode doesn't change anything. And you'll have to put up with Torres' appetite. In the smaller Koranda, this four-cylinder engine requires about 8 litres of petrol per 100 km, and we are talking about a manual transmission with front-wheel drive. The larger, heavier, square-shaped Torres is fitted with a 6-speed automatic gearbox, so it's understandably more thirsty. Ssangyong itself claims an average fuel consumption of 8.5 liters per 100 km.
Under the hood is the same engine used by the smaller Tivoli and Korando models. The supercharged 4-cylinder 1.5 GDI Turbo engine delivers 120 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque. Don't expect a lot of pressure from the seats, but the dynamics are definitely good.
It can be mounted, but the throttle is pressed more lightly. In cities and highways, be prepared to consume more than 9 liters. And there's nothing you can do about it. The Torres doesn't have an Eco mode, it doesn't cruise, it doesn't turn off the cylinders like Volkswagen's TSI engine, or it doesn't recover. The only energy-saving technology is the start-stop system. While the gearbox tries to keep the revolutions as low as possible, around 2,000 rpm at 100 rpm, the thirst for Torres hasn't changed much. Maybe that's why it only shows the consumption of the current drive. It does not store long-term data. On the other hand, the engine is very well insulated. The automatic shift is smooth, but it takes a while to start from a standstill all of a sudden. If the automatic transmission doesn't fully read your expectations, there are wings on the steering wheel, so you can give it a little help.
The rear axle has an honest independent wheel suspension.
Torres' driving behavior will surprise you. It's definitely not a car that feels cheap. The chassis adopts a front MacPherson strut and a rear multi-link independent suspension. It's tuned quite stiffly, so forget about the perfectly smooth ride. But on ordinary roads it does not get in the way at all, and in addition, the body filters the noise from the tires very well. Compared to the top-of-the-line version of the Premium Torres, the smaller 18-inch wheels with high-profile 235/55 tires benefit a lot. After all, they absorb small bumps better. Therefore, it is comfortable enough to ride. There was a tendency to understeer in the corners, but that was enough to take a little of the pressure off the pedals, and Torres obediently followed the trajectory again. You'll appreciate the SUV's precise and relatively sharp steering, with the steering wheel just taking 2.5 turns and the body not leaning like you'd expect from this powerful and tall SUV.
There is no rival in price
There are also auxiliary systems on board. The Style series includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic remote mode switching. Quite simply, Torres has a lot to offer. Especially if you look at the price list. You might feel that this practical, spacious, and well-equipped SUV is outdated for its price. Our Style version starts at €28,990. But even with metallic paint, an automatic transmission, a "leather" upholstery and an electronically controlled trunk lid, you'll have to pay 32,420 euros. Nowadays, you can usually reach this level with a better-equipped Octavia Combi 1.5 TSI. Let's not even compare Kodiak Torres. This is a very interesting offer, so you will forget about some of the drawbacks or a higher appetite.