2024 SsangYong Tivoli Turbo Limited review

With SsangYong soon to be rebranded here under the KGM Motors label, we’ve been driving the latest versions of the existing SY product, including Tivoli.

However, all-new KGM offerings are due imminently, including the Torres SUV, an electric ute and a new medium-sized SUV. Hence, the name change.

As it happens, this is the first time I’ve encountered Tivoli (with a SsangYong badge) per se; years ago we got a spin in an oddly expanded version of the compact crossover known as SsangYong Tivoli XLV.

Essentially it looked like a Tivoli onto which they’d grafted a bigger bum. The vehicle name isn’t made up, if you’re wondering, but is borrowed from a town in Italy, renowned for its architecture.

Tivoli has undergone an update since we drove the XLV.

Its naturally aspirated 94kW/160Nm engine has been replaced by a slightly detuned variant of that in the SsangYong Korando, a 1.5L direct injection turbopetrol, with an identical amount of power (120kW) and 20Nm less torque (260Nm from 1500rpm).

It also inherited the six-speed Aisin auto of its larger sib.

Not knowing anything about it on pick up, I guessed it had much the same powertrain as Korando because I’d just swapped from one to the other.

The low-down turbo-enhanced grunt was more immediately apparent in the smaller vehicle; in the wet it will spin the fronts easily enough.

Lots about the interior is similar, like the dials and infotainment system, only being a lesser model this doesn’t get adaptive cruise, just the standard variety which you’d more or less rate as better than nothing but not by much.

There’s a fair swag of hard plastics throughout the vehicle too, more than in Korando.

Compared with the previous Tivoli, this one shows a few new styling flourishes, mainly noted at the rear while all lights are now LEDs. I don’t recall previously seeing the three wee styling squares at the front of the bonnet either, one in red.

Also new are 18-inch alloy wheels on this, the Limited version, a larger touch screen with a revamped interface and several new exterior colour options.

It gets a rear tailgate spoiler and tints not seen on the lesser model.

And on that, the ask for this Turbo Limited version is $42,990. You can defer to the lower specified but mechanically identical Turbo Sport model if you so desire, at $4k less.

This Limited example of Tivoli looks okay. It has smart little coloured highlights at the back that pop in the sun.

Unfortunately our global energy source plays havoc inside the car at times; it can be almost impossible to decipher whether the AC is on or off with sun streaming in from behind.

When handing it back on a rainy day, no such problems.

Otherwise, this is a particularly easy drive, if not perhaps an especially exciting one. It performs okay, in that languid turbo six-speed auto way, the response somewhat delayed after throttle input.

Certainly it feels a bit quicker than Korando, around a second faster on both the performance criteria we use, but brakes aren’t special, and understeer not hard to uncover, both in all likelihood the result of not having quite so much quality rubber hitting the road.

We preferred the ride in this though, slightly better over high frequency bumps but hardly class leading.

This is likely to be used around town in the main where it is easygoing in that slightly elevated compact crossover fashion, with a reasonable all-round view.

Fuel efficiency isn’t stellar, showing a best of 7.0L/100km on a cruise which is in line with the claimed combined figure (though rightcar suggests 7.8L/100km overall).

The basic safety features are present including ESP with antiroll control (torque reduced, independent braking), along with brake assist and six airbags.

But there’s no BSM or lane keeping, no traffic sign recognition, no adaptive cruise and no safety rating since 2016 when it received four stars from ANCAP.

Smart features include purpose-built drinks holders for two sizes of bottle in the doors, and a slot through to the centre bin so you don’t need to lift the lid to stow your valuables.

There’s no Qi charger, and seats are primarily cloth trimmed without heater elements or lumbar adjust. The steering wheel is tilt-adjustable only.

We’re surprised by the claim of 423L of luggage space in the rear and accommodation for three full sized golf bags. We couldn’t get our one in the back without split folding the rear seat.

While the 18-inch alloys in black look swell, as do the two-tone colour scheme and tinted windows, we find it hard to justify a $43k asking price.

We’d forego the big wheels, spoiler, special colour scheme and dual zone air for the mechanically identical Sport version at $39k.

And even then you’d want a decent discount, given how intense the competition is in this compact crossover class.

For example, you can buy a Toyota Yaris Cross GX hybrid for similar money and it uses roughly half as much fuel.

This story first appeared in the April 2024 issue of NZ Autocar magazine.