Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Ssangyong G4 Rexton

After 15 years, the Ssangyong Rexton has been given a much-needed full-model change to keep this medium-sized crossover competitive in today's trends. Now called the G4 Rexton, the newest model promises to be the most technologically advanced and most capable Rexton to date. Let's check out the newest incarnation of South Korea's unsung crossover.

2018 Ssangyong G4 Rexton
2018 Ssangyong G4 Rexton


As you might be saying, is this new model going to be another blatant minor change just like what happened to other iterations like the Chairman-faced Rexton II of 2006 and the start-over-again Rexton W of 2012? The answer is a hopeful NO because, unlike all the past Rextons in its 15-year decay, this is an entirely new model inside and out. This is no longer your dad's Rexton anymore and as you can see from its questionable hexagonal-shaped grille, new headlamps, Tivoli-styled sides, and the headlamps conspicuously similar to the Lexus RX, you know that this is an all-new Rexton and not another minor change or so they said.

2018 Ssangyong G4 Rexton interior
2018 Ssangyong G4 Rexton interior

Not only the exterior of the G4 Rexton is all-new to us but also the interior as well and would you look at that, as a major overhaul compared to the stale look of the previous model's interior. Because it's longer and wider compared to the previous model, the new Rexton is now roomier compared to Hyundai's Santa Fe/Maxcruz and the Kia Sorento, so that's a big plus for the newly rejuvenated crossover that promises real change for the customers. This is the only crossover in the class that can carry rear-seat passengers and four golf bags in the boot and that sounds like a great thing for a crossover fit enough to take it on the weekends or even the holidays.

Because this is the most technologically advanced Rexton to date, it's been given smartphone mirroring with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as well as Auto Closing, Easy Access, high-performing, dual-zone fully automated air-conditioning, a smart tailgate feature, and many more, all the more reasons to like about the new and improved Rexton.

2018 Ssangyong G4 Rexton

One thing to like about this brand new G4 Rexton is the performance it delivers, which is not bad for a family car fit for weekend road trips, and in this new model, it's been powered by a 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine and Mercedes-Benz 7-speed automatic transmission at launch. It produces 181HP of power and 42.8kg-m of torque and that's pretty much about it for now. Oh and this car has a very clever 4MATIC system, which is just like it came from Mercedes-Benz too. At default, it behaves like a rear-wheel-drive saloon under normal conditions but it can engage all four wheels in ever-changing road conditions, and couple that with the double-wishbone suspension at the front and multi-link independent suspension at the rear, it can be a solid all-rounder for everyday use.

Back to the technologically advanced stuff, the new G4 Rexton promises to be the safest of its class. Apart from having nine airbags as well as having a more rigid body structure, it features driver aids such as Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Detection, Front Vehicle Start Alarm, and the first-ever 3D Around View Monitoring system for a Korean car, which monitors all sides around the car for the better observance.

Ssangyong's new G4 Rexton starts at 33,350,000 Korean Won, which makes it more competitively priced in its class, and with all of the major improvements implemented on this new model, it's good to have Ssangyong, run by Mahindra, going on the right track with the new Rexton after 15 years of having stuck with the same old thing. The aged Korean crossover has been reborn for a new era and this can get very promising for South Korea's SUV specialist.

Photo: Ssangyong Motor Company

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