Ssangyoung Korando Vs Kia Sportage Vs Toyota Rav4 Vs Ford Kuga

[MrBell]

Here is good one for you to get your teeth in.
Me and my fiance are needing to change our car soon as we have a ford fiesta 1.4, its used everyday its basically a work horse. We want a car which will be nice to drive but will also be able to cope with high millage and also lots of towing (and have enough room to cater for two labs)
The cars i have put on the title is basically the ones i like. Ssangyong Korando looks fab and has lots going for it and seems to be a car which should do everything we want BUT the others also have good pionts as well, especially the Toyota Rav4 which i like and know the build quality is great.
So what i would like is comments on these cars from you lot! what do you know about these cars, is there anything i can do to make my mind up? Do you think it will be cheeky and ask for 24hr test drives?
I would like 4x4, which all these have. Does anyone have any comments on build quality with Ssyangyong dont really know much about them, i like the adverts and also the offers which are on them at the mo.
I like the Kuga AW drive BUT dont seem to have lots of room in the back, me fiance really likes the car.
More comments the better, any comments on tow would be great too as it will be doing lots of it!!

 

[Brum1]

I have a comment about the current TV commertial for the new ssangyong...2 lites of towing power, what does that mean?
Towing 'power' is based on BHP and Torque, the engine's capacity does not equate to towing power.
What do you say?....Lutz

 

[xtrailman]

Korando, poor residuals, mediocre road test results.
Rav4, side opening door?
Kia, mediocre economy.
Kuga, limited space, but my choice, from your list. New model due this year so should have good discounts.

 

[Martin24]

Ssangyong but NOT the Korando!!
Had my Rexton for nearly three years, got rid of her last month for our new defender. She was just over six years old with 70,000 on the clock. Any issues were sorted under warranty until she was 5 years old. In the last year or so most of the niggles were minor, seat memory button not working, clock with a mind of it's own etc (not that there was ever anything much due to the rock solid old mercedes reliability). In the last 3 months she was dropping something that has stained the drive but don't think it was oil. As already trading in for next to nothing didn't get it looked at but as nothing packed up would imagine it was fairly minor. Cheap to buy used which also meant mediocre trade in BUT all in all good value. Not sure that I would buy one new though!! Never a particularly good write up but she towed merrily along mile after mile with no complaints and was not bad solo. Would I have another Ssangyong?? If we hadn't bought the Defender then maybe and never say never when we change the focus next year.

 

[emmerson]

Probably of no impact on the OP, but back in '97 I looked at a new Freelander, but when I asked for a test tow, the local dealer literally laughed in my face. A week or two later I drove into Halfords car park in my then Range Rover. (Halfords at that time sold Ssanyong, but I think they were called something else then) As I walked through the door I was met by a salesman, offering a test drive of the Musso,as he had seen me get out of the Range Rover. I refused, as I if I had been interested, I would have wanted a test tow. This stumped him, as they didn't have a car with a hook! However, about a week later, he rang to say that they had fitted a towbar to the manager's personal car, and I was welcome to borrow it for weekend, at a time to suit me.
Sadly, my circumstances changed before I could arrange a weekend, so it never happened, but that is the sort of service we should expect, but rarely get.
Fifteen years later, I'm still driving Range Rovers, but not the same one!

 

[Martin24]

I think though going back to my teenagehood that Halfords were doing Daewoo at one time and the Musso was Daewoo badged at one time. Pity Halfords are now the last place I'd go for service or price!!!

 

[emmerson]

That's it martin! It was a Daewoo Musso! Great big ugly thing, with a Mercedes engine.

 

[daftlad2]

Ray--tell you what I am now on my 2nd Kia Sportage , Economy yes Mediocre --No, that is typical of a badge snob, reliablity 2nd to none --never ever let me down 1st one never had a spanner on it other than for service --78,000 miles in 3 years towed all over France and Spain + UK --used for work, pleasure, towing, 2nd one ( brand new 2010), one small fault in 2 years, good on fuel , tows strongly ,lots of toys , comftable, cannot comment on latest version .
Mr Bell test drive them all, check the Rav 4 as many have a low towing limit

 

[xtrailman]

Ray--tell you what I am now on my 2nd Kia Sportage , Economy yes Mediocre --No, that is typical of a badge snob, reliablity 2nd to none --never ever let me down 1st one never had a spanner on it other than for service --78,000 miles in 3 years towed all over France and Spain + UK --used for work, pleasure, towing, 2nd one ( brand new 2010), one small fault in 2 years, good on fuel , tows strongly ,lots of toys , comftable, cannot comment on latest version .
Mr Bell test drive them all, check the Rav 4 as many have a low towing limit

I drive a Nissan, so where does the badge snob comment come from??
You are coming across as a LR owner, always denying the poor reliability surveys.
In your case its denying the mediocre economy, and poor emissions.
A Mazda cx-5 is league away from a Sportage. With more power, lower emissions, and greater economy.

http://carleasingmadesimple.com/business-car-leasing/mazda/cx-5/fuel-consumption/

 

[daftlad2]

Eh??? Ray I dont belive your comments , I think 39mpg solo is pretty good in my book dont you , emmisions ?? not falling for all that we have the cleanest cars in the world , just a tax raising rouse , not a badge snob ?? really ??

 

[daftlad2]

Eh??? Ray I dont belive your comments , I think 39mpg solo is pretty good in my book dont you , emmisions ?? not falling for all that we have the cleanest cars in the world , just a tax raising rouse , not a badge snob ?? really ??

 

[birdman101]

First thing i look at, is does any motor have a full size spare wheel ,if not that is eliminated straight away.

 

[xtrailman]

Eh??? Ray I dont belive your comments , I think 39mpg solo is pretty good in my book dont you , emmisions ?? not falling for all that we have the cleanest cars in the world , just a tax raising rouse , not a badge snob ?? really ??

I don't think 39 mpg solo is good, sorry, my 171bhp xtrail returns just under 40mpg locally, reading of the fuel computer.
That's a larger heavier car, with better performance.
A CRV would return even more, and again has better performance, and both take a nose load of 100kg in manual guise, the Kuga included.
While sportage according to the brochure i read last week, and have in front of me, has a nose limit of only 80kg, not much use for towing a Unicorn? That's the 2L version, the 1.7L only takes 50kg!
So in conclusion the sportage is a smaller thirsty car, with a lower nose load limit.
Thank you for considering a Nissan owner as a badge snob, i didn't realise the Kia was regarded so lowly in comparison, so I'll have to take you word for it.
By the way the Mazda cx-5 has a euro 6 engine, the Kia euro 5.

 

[SteveW77]

a nose limit of only 80kg, not much use for towing a Unicorn?

What has the type of caravan got to do with the nose weight limit.
It's how you load the van that makes the difference, not the type of van.
My Sorento only has a 80kg limit, but I have no trouble towing my 1650 Kg single axle van with it.
I also think that arguing about 1 mpg is being rather pedantic, don't you.

Steve W

 

[xtrailman]

a nose limit of only 80kg, not much use for towing a Unicorn?

What has the type of caravan got to do with the nose weight limit.
It's how you load the van that makes the difference, not the type of van.
My Sorento only has a 80kg limit, but I have no trouble towing my 1650 Kg single axle van with it.
I also think that arguing about 1 mpg is being rather pedantic, don't you.

Steve W

I agree 1 mpg is nothing, the point i was trying to make is that all the cars i mentioned are dated in economy terms, the Kuga CRV, and xtrail will be replaced before long, the CRV and Kuga this year.
You are wrong about the Unicorn however, the range is very nose heavy, i have to back load to get the nose weight down to 90/95 kg.
The latest ones have had the battery moved further back in recognition of the number of owner complaints.
By the way don't assume I'm anti KIA or Hyundai, i have the brochures for the sant/sorie 35/sportage in my office , along with others, as i'm looking at changing cars at the end of the year.
None of the present cars appeal however, but the "45" due out may fit the bill. The long warranty is the main selling point for me.

 

[MichaelE]

First thing i look at, is does any motor have a full size spare wheel ,if not that is eliminated straight away.

Thats a strange way to choose your towcar?
You would eliminate a Touareg, ML, Q7,Q5,X3 and X5 all very very good towcars

 

[Bri2]

I have a Kia Sportage 2009-10 model, 1600kg max tow, which has towed a Bailey Ranger 1259kg mtplm and now a Bailey Orion 1247kg mtplm without any problems. I get 40-42ish solo and 25+ towing. 7 years warranty and a good dealer network. I had a Kia Sedona previous to this and I can't tell/ notice any differance in towing the given weight of van. I don't do a lot of mileage, but upto now, its been very reliable.
Bri

 

[daftlad2]

I can see I have not made my self clear I own a Mk 2 ( not the latest mk3) adequate towball limit, full spare --important for towing , nose weight its how you load it as much as the van weight , I have driven a extrail and I can say no better than Kia , larger boot but much noiser and rough exceleration, tell you what I bored with this you keep you car , stop boasting its poor form and I and thousands others will drive our sportages and as for the badge snob you dont seem to get ironry and as for the Kuga yes seems nice car but the last few Fords Ive owned have not been put togeather very well and the 7 year warrenty is worth its weight in gold ( though only used once over 2 Sportages and minor at that)

 

[daftlad2]

I can see I have not made my self clear I own a Mk 2 ( not the latest mk3) adequate towball limit, full spare --important for towing , nose weight its how you load it as much as the van weight , I have driven a extrail and I can say no better than Kia , larger boot but much noiser and rough exceleration, tell you what I bored with this you keep you car , stop boasting its poor form and I and thousands others will drive our sportages and as for the badge snob you dont seem to get ironry and as for the Kuga yes seems nice car but the last few Fords Ive owned have not been put togeather very well and the 7 year warrenty is worth its weight in gold ( though only used once over 2 Sportages and minor at that)

 

[birdman101]

First thing i look at, is does any motor have a full size spare wheel ,if not that is eliminated straight away.

Thats a strange way to choose your towcar?
You would eliminate a Touareg, ML, Q7,Q5,X3 and X5 all very very good towcars

I will rephrase AFTER selecting suitable tow-cars. My friend had car with no spare,had blow out heading to catch ferry for overnight sailing, side wall gone, stuck with car and caravan.Now carries a spare for car in caravan,but he says next towcar will definitly have a spare.

 

[xtrailman]

I can see I have not made my self clear I own a Mk 2 ( not the latest mk3) adequate towball limit, full spare --important for towing , nose weight its how you load it as much as the van weight , I have driven a extrail and I can say no better than Kia , larger boot but much noiser and rough exceleration, tell you what I bored with this you keep you car , stop boasting its poor form and I and thousands others will drive our sportages and as for the badge snob you dont seem to get ironry and as for the Kuga yes seems nice car but the last few Fords Ive owned have not been put togeather very well and the 7 year warrenty is worth its weight in gold ( though only used once over 2 Sportages and minor at that)

My OP was in reply to mr Bell. Who has complied a specific list, and asked for feedback.
I gave my own personal opinion which you obviously disagree with.
I don't have a problem with that, but i do object to personal comments, you have repeated called me a badge snob, which i find extremely offensive.
We are only talking about choosing a tow car here its not something to get uptight about.
If i repeatably post twice will you get the message?

 

[MrBell]

a nose limit of only 80kg, not much use for towing a Unicorn?

What has the type of caravan got to do with the nose weight limit.
It's how you load the van that makes the difference, not the type of van.
My Sorento only has a 80kg limit, but I have no trouble towing my 1650 Kg single axle van with it.
I also think that arguing about 1 mpg is being rather pedantic, don't you.

Steve W

When i have been looking at the different cars i have been looking at nose weights but also been looking at the boot space and mpg. The boot space is for the fact we are getting two labs.
I would like a high nose weight as at the minute i have 54kg to play with and its a pain to get right!!!
I like the Kuga BUT what are they like for towing?? i know there is a new model coming out soon.
The kia sporatge is a nice looking car and with 7 yr warrenty on it well its a good selling piont, i also like the Rav4 but people have been saying they dont tow very well??

 

[xtrailman]

a nose limit of only 80kg, not much use for towing a Unicorn?

What has the type of caravan got to do with the nose weight limit.
It's how you load the van that makes the difference, not the type of van.
My Sorento only has a 80kg limit, but I have no trouble towing my 1650 Kg single axle van with it.
I also think that arguing about 1 mpg is being rather pedantic, don't you.

Steve W

When i have been looking at the different cars i have been looking at nose weights but also been looking at the boot space and mpg. The boot space is for the fact we are getting two labs.
I would like a high nose weight as at the minute i have 54kg to play with and its a pain to get right!!!
I like the Kuga BUT what are they like for towing?? i know there is a new model coming out soon.
The kia sporatge is a nice looking car and with 7 yr warrenty on it well its a good selling piont, i also like the Rav4 but people have been saying they dont tow very well??

The last time i viewed a Rav4 it had the side opening door, so i dismissed it for that reason alone, also the inside looked quite dated.
Has the latest version changed to a hatch back door?
John Watson likes his Kuga for towing, having previously owned 4 xtrails.
But the Kuga boot may be too small for your dogs, perhaps a santa fe sized car, the manual version has a 100kg nose limit. or xtrail would accommodate them, on my xtrail i have removed the second shelf, so i have a very large (to me) boot space.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

We have the Kuga 2WD diesel Titanium and its a fabulous car to drive but not without some limits as most cars have
2 years and no problems and tows like a dream with a Challenger 570 and doing 40+mpg solo
The spare wheel is emergency only but a full size wheel will fit in the boot space with some slight modification
I remove the polystyrene boot trim and replaced it with building insulation polystyrene underneath(Brian next door is a bricklayer !)
This raised the boot floor some 4 inches which further reduces the available load space
The spare matching alloy cost £50 second hand off ebay and I bought a new tyre to match the Continentals on the car
As there are only 2 of us the loading is done as far forward as possible behind the front seats with the boot almost empty but the boot space could be a problem with big dogs

 

[kopite]

morning folks
I have sportage 07 and so far no issues in 3 years great at towing but i would like to know how to get 40 mpg solo as posted hardly go above 2500 revs and make use of the 6 speed box and get 30 if lucky