I THINK the seven-seat SsangYong Rodius is the biggest people carrier on the market and with low second-hand prices it should appeal to everyone who needs loads of space.
It is rather ugly to most eyes, but at least that means it will be easy to find in the car park and you can laugh at the amounts others paid for similar machinery.
That said, it could be daunting for some to drive, although it doesn’t feel too bad from behind the wheel.
The single engine choice – a 2.7 five cylinder diesel bought from Mercedes – has strong urge in the lower range so it suits the Rodius well.
It’s available with five-speed manual or automatic gearboxes and both work reasonably well.
Acceleration is quite reasonable for such a big vehicle but threading it through tightly parked city streets can be nerve-racking.
Comfort is good – better with a load up than with just one like many such vehicles – but unlike them, it can carry seven and all their luggage with ease.
Interior
Seating layout is 2-2-3, so access into the rearmost seats is easier than in most. In the Korean market, it is built to seat 11, which is why there is so much space.
Equipment in the cheapest ‘S’ includes an alarm, CD player, climate, electric mirrors, parking sensors, all electric windows and remote locking. After 2009, the five year, 250,000 mile warranty is a big plus.
FAST FACTS
SsangYong Rodius
Price: Pay about £5,100 for an ’07 07-reg S, or £11,000 for a ‘10 10-reg ES auto
Mechanical: 162bhp, 2,696cc, 5cyl diesel engine driving the front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 105mph
0-62mph: 13.7 seconds
Combined mpg: 32
Insurance group: 27
CO2 emissions: 223g/km
Main rival: Kia Sedona
Motors.co.uk value verdict:
