The SsangYong Korando SX offers a healthy specification for a low price. With one or two reservations, it makes a respectable tow car.

At motorway speeds the Korando proved stable, even in strong winds. Performance is steady but determined, pulling from 30-60mph in an acceptable 18.4 seconds. Work the low-emissions version of SsangYong’s 2.0-litre diesel hard and it’s quieter than the engines fitted to early Korandos – although to be fair that’s not saying much. The SsangYong is stable under braking, and the stopping distance of 11.5m is respectable.

However, the hill start didn’t show the Korando in such a positive light. The handbrake needed a very firm pull to stop the car from rolling backwards, and the clutch and throttle needed careful balancing to pull to the top of the 1-in-6 slope.

The lane-change test was the Korando’s undoing. The caravan dragged the car offline and the driver struggled to keep control.

Inside, the cabin may feel a bit rough and ready but there’s plenty of space for five, and the boot can handle holiday luggage with ease. As standard the car comes with get-you-home gunk rather than a proper spare, but SsangYong says it’s acceptable to tow on a repaired tyre and a full-size spare can be ordered as an option for greater piece of mind. A five-year warranty package puts that of many more expensive cars to shame.

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

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