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Want a large SUV that can walk the walk as well as talking the talk? What about one you probably aren't familiar with, the vastly improved fourth generation version of SsangYong's Rexton - here reviewed in the updated Y450 form that arrived in 2021. If you're secure enough in yourself not to care too much about badge equity and want a large, capable, well equipped seven-seat 4x4 for sensible money, it makes a lot of sense.
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History
Increasingly, large luxury SUVs are all about image, all about badge-equity, all about fashion. Or at least most of them are. Here's one that's more practically grounded - the improved post-2020 version of the fourth generation Y400-era SsangYong Rexton.
Of all this South Korean brand's products, the Rexton is probably the one provoking most familiarity amongst UK buyers. That's because it's been around so long - since 2001 in fact, sold in first generation form until 2006 when a second generation version offered much the same kind of solid, practical proposition - and much the same aging 2.7-litre Mercedes diesel engine. A big step forward though, was made in 2013 with the launch of the MK3 model 'Rexton W', which got a properly modern 2.0-litre e-XDi diesel engine later uprated to 2.2-litre capacity.
The fourth generation 'Y400'-series design announced in 2018 borrowed that engine, but not a lot else, showcasing the recent steps forward that SsangYong had made in technology and quality. It's the improved post-2020-era version of that MK4 design, the 'Y450'-series model, that we look at here.
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What you get
This revised version of the MK4 Rexton has a much more commanding presence, thanks to a more imposing chrome-studded front grille, surrounded by re-styled LED headlamps, which gives it a more powerful, sturdy stance. The top variant features these angular LED fog lamps too. The rear end was also updated as part of the changes made to create this Y450 model, with revised LED tail light clusters.
Inside, the main difference with this updated version of the fourth generation Rexton lies with the addition of a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, replacing conventional dials in the binnacle and standard on both model variants. You can get it to display in various layout formats, including one that enables you almost but not quite to view full-screen mapping. Anything you can't find here will be located on the high-set HD centre-dash touchscreen, which can show its functions in a useful split-screen format and is 8.0-inches in size on the base 'Ventura' model or 9.2-inches with the top 'Ultimate' variant.
In the second row, there's decent space for two and, thanks to the low centre transmission tunnel, room for three should you need there to be. This car's long wheelbase means there's room for third row seating too, though you don't get that on the top-spec 'Ultimate' model. Out back, once the hatch is raised, there's a truly colossal cargo area if the variant you have is a five seat-only model. That means 820-litres of room if you load to the ceiling, a figure that would be reduced to 649-litres if opt for a seven-seat variant and have the third row chairs folded into the floor. If you fold the middle row backrests forward, a vast storage area is provided, 1,977-litres in size on the five-seater model and 1,806-litres in capacity if you've a seven-seat variant with the second and third rows folded.
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What to look for
The Rexton offers a decent blend between rugged engines and no-nonsense componentry. Even after being subjected to quite arduous off-roading, this SsangYong can come through unscathed. That said, do check the wheel arch liners for rust-inducing punctures make sure the alloy wheels haven't been mangled. Get under the car and take a look at the suspension and exhaust for signs of damage. The car should not pull to one side or the other as this can be a sign of steering damage and groaning sounds while cornering can spell a damaged differential.
The Rexton has proven reliable and the e-XDi220 2.2-litre diesel engine is a tough unit; just keep an eye on oil levels once a month. As with all 7-seat SUVs, look for signs of child damage in the interior: as ever, stains and scratches are a good negotiating point. The interiors are also fairly indestructible but the metallic plastic finishes can quickly lose their lustre.
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Replacement parts
(approx based on a 2017 Rexton 2.2XDi - autopartspro) SsangYong parts aren't too expensive, given that it was a low volume importer. You'll need to set aside around £16-£57 for an air filter and an oil filter costs in the £7-£12 bracket. A fuel filter costs in the £2-£14 bracket. Front brake pads sit in the £31-£90 bracket for a set and rears can be had in the £25-£38 bracket. Front brake discs can be had for around £58-£85 a pair. Rear brake discs can be had for around £50-£79 a pair.
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On the road
On the move, this improved Rexton certainly feels quite cultured in the cabin, but once you've got properly underway, it's quickly clear that the driving dynamics are much as they've always been with this model line. With this car, SsangYong continued to reject the car-like monocoque-style chassis approach used by mainstream rivals in favour of the sort of tougher but much heavier body-on-frame ladder chassis you'd find in tougher SUVs intended for regular 'off piste' use. You're certainly instantly aware of this Rexton's size and weight, especially if you start throwing the car about. By the same token though, there's also a pleasing sense of solidity that imparts the kind of feeling of safety and security that some will feel is far more important in a large SUV of this kind. And of course, thanks to a proper heavy duty 4WD set-up with a low range gearbox, this Rexton can be hugely impressive off road.
This improved Y450-series Rexton got an uprated 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine manufactured by SsangYong, which delivers maximum power of 202PS (up from 181PS before) and maximum torque of 441Nm (up from 420Nm previously). This powerplant delivers progressive acceleration from a standing start - the rest to 62mph sprint takes 11.9 seconds. But more important is the way that this proven e-XDi 220 unit has been tuned primarily for the strong low-end torque typical of the Korean maker's powerplants. You have to have auto transmission and it's a Hyundai-sourced 8-speed automatic, replacing the previous Mercedes-sourced 7-speed E-Tronic auto.
Like most SsangYong SUVs, this one will be ideal for those wishing to tow. Thanks to a braked towing capacity of 3.5-tonnes, it can deal with heavier items like a double horsebox, a large caravan or a commercial trailer. And of course it's extremely capable off the beaten track. This SUV normally runs in its '2H' driving mode which sees drive coming from the rear wheels. Get onto the slippery stuff though and you can select a '4H' high range 4WD option. Unlike most rivals, there's also a proper low range gearbox offering a further '4L' option, should things get gnarlier.
So no, this SsangYong isn't precious about getting up to its axles in mud. That's quite refreshing. You'd hesitate to take most luxury SUVs seriously off road and even if you did, you'd constantly be worrying about damaging the thing. There's none of that here. The tougher the terrain, the better this Rexton likes it, thanks not only to that solid ladder-framed chassis but also to a heavy duty 4WD set-up that splits the torque equally between front and rear axles to provide all round traction and ensure optimum grip even in the most challenging conditions. Steeply undulating terrain is no problem either thanks to decent ground clearance, an approach angle of 20.5-degrees, a departure angle of 22-degrees and a ramp break-over angle of 20-degrees.
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Overall
Let's get down to the facts here. There is no other properly capable large SUV from the 2021-2024 period in the same price bracket as this SsangYong Rexton, which gained a little more of a premium feel in this improved Y450 guise. If you want something really comparable with seven seats that can tow as much or go as far off the beaten track, then you'll need to pay around 30% more for a Land Rover Discovery or Toyota Land Cruiser. This basic point appears to have been ignored by most reviewers who seem to insist on comparing this SsangYong to rivals not capable of even thinking about tackling the tough tasks this Rexton will take in its stride.
Sure, it offers very much a no-nonsense approach - but in the pretentious age we live in, that in many ways is actually rather refreshing. There's still a place in the SUV segment for old school virtues and with this car, SsangYong reckoned it was perfectly placed to deliver them.
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