SsangYong Rexton Ultimate Car Review - Towing a Caravan 4000 miles [CC]
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- Опубликовано: 31 май 2024
- For further details, images, and glossy video of the SsangYong Rexton Ultimate, please see www.ssangyonggb.co.uk/new/ssan....
This car was provided by SsangYong GB in order to give it its most comprehensive towing review to date. SsangYong also commissioned me to make a few videos for their own channels. However, commission was accepted on the understanding that it does NOT interfere with or influence the integrity of the content and opinions herein.
Rather than repeat what the website shows you or the Press Releases tell you, in this review I simply concentrate on how the Rexton performs as tow car, and what it is like to live with on an extended tour. We cover 4,000 miles in the end, from the UK to Tarifa in Spain via Lisbon, and back to the UK via the French Alps. We drive it through the heat and the dry, the rain, and the snow and ice. All the while we were towing a caravan - a beautiful Airstream UK Missouri.
If you want the best car for towing a caravan, towing a horse box, or towing a boat, do give this video a watch.
For an excellent review of the SsangYong Rexton ELX, please see the review by the channel Here We Tow at:
• Ssangyong Rexton 2018
A big 'thank you' to Jules for his advice about the work-around on the Sat Nav disappearing when you make a call.
Please respect the driving rules of your particular country, and do not allow the in-car tech to distract you while driving. Many scenes were shot under controlled conditions.
How did I do the aerial shots? I will be doing a vlog early in 2019 saying how I do these shots on my own so stay tuned!
Andrew amazing review you nailed it, you are getting too good at this. Clarkson just called me and reckoned you are better than May.
Thanks Peter!
The Rexton is absolutely brilliant. We bought one last year (2020) and it has never failed us. Incredible value for money and outstanding performance. Not sure why more people don’t buy them.
A very open and fair review Andrew. Well done, loved the dramatic music at the start. Cheers Phil👍👍
What a superb review, that must have taken ages to put together. Really informative and some stunning backgrounds. Thank you. 👍
Wow. Your recent vlogs have gone to another level. Loving them.
Thank you Dawn!
Wow Loved the intro , very professional , As always what a great and honest review. I tow with a Santa Fe Auto and at first thought the same about the very slight lag but I've got used to it now. Cheers Andrew ,Safe Travels.
A great review Andrew, very informative and honest.
Very thorough review and another beautifully shot and edited video. So much of what you said about the Rexton resonated with my experience my Honda CRV - dull to drive but comfortable and tows beautifully.
Cheers Rich!
Fab cinematic intro ! Fantastic use of that done, very thouht provoking. Excellent review, my only question has already been answered regarding tow bar fitting.
Looking forward to next Vlog..keep up the good work!
Cheers Scott! It was nice to flex the creative muscle but I appreciate that most people watch reviews for facts and it's important to 'get on with it!' ;@)
Andrew....I have been looking for an all wheel drive vehicle recently, now that i'm living in a rural area, thinking of winter, so just by chance looking at the Rexton..and there you are! I last engaged with your caravan reviews last year which I thought were splendid and very informative. Your no nonsense reviews are indeed, in one word, excellent. You would make a top notch TV presenter. Well done!....more importantly, thank you! Kind Regards, Andy D
Thanks Andy, glad you enjoyed it. Do also check out the channel @HereWeTow as they own and run a Rexton. Good luck in your search!
thanks for the review Andrew the Rexton will be on my short list when it's time to change tow car.
Great review Andrew. The Rexton looks a fantastic tow car.
Hi Andrew, we met at Bonterra Park, Benicassim. I had the last model Rexton and quizzed you on this version. Great review, thanks. I've just put a deposit down! Yay
Hi Keith, thanks for getting in touch! That's really good news. It's a shame I don't get commission :@) Enjoy the new car.
Great great great review! Honest, authentic and very informative! I have a SsangYong Korando and I love it to the moon! Very reliable and have no problems with it! :) - its me from the Philippines
Another great video. You're getting good at this Mr. Ditton....
Cheers Chris! No pressure then... ;@)
Excellent video Andrew. The opening sequence is superb. Great review of the car. Regarding the fuel consumption, thats not too bad. I had my Range Rover Vogue TD6 3.o litre re mapped and now achieve ..... 24-26 mpg whether Im towing our Buccaneer or not.
I want one!
Great review as ever Mr D. 👌
Thanks Yvonne!
I've been looking forward to this review and wasn't let down. Your camera work is superb, I really liked your opening montage. I'm surprised by the fuel economy, I expected slightly better. I get 20mpg when towing my van in my L200 and around 28-30mpg when driving solo. I do have All Terrain's fitted though which cuts the mpg. For the spec' and the price it's certainly food for thought. Thanks for an open, honest and well put together review.
Thanks Mark! And yes, I was also surprised at the consumption figures.
Merci Andrew for this great review ☺
Great review thanks. It helped me make up my mind and have now ordered a new Rexton.
Enjoy, Keith!
Thank you Andrew. I'm now eagerly awaiting collection of the new Rexton. I currently tow with a Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian, and when I tow I use the 'self-select' gear change. When you towed with the Rexton, did you leave it in fully automatic? We do some high mileage trips, for example in 2020 we towed our twin axle Swift down to Morocco, a round trip of 5,600 miles, so I think the Rexton will be ideal.
A very comprehensive review Andrew 👍😊
Thanks Kat!
@@andrewjditton 😊
Dougal must be flying the drone, while you drove the car Andrew. He’s getting very clever.🤗🐾🐾
I will soon be doing a video explaining how I do it - er - how Dougal does it! Stay tuned :)
Thank you for the review, I’m close to buying one and a Adria caravan as changing from a large motorhome, thanks again 👍
Hi Thomas, I am guessing you know the channel Here We Tow, as they did just that! Check them out, cheers!
Hi Andrew, fantastic review. Looks an amazing tow car with lots of useful gadgets. I like the idea of an automatic for my next tow car 👍
Yes, once you get used to it, it DOES make long drives more relaxing especially when you get stuck in thick traffic.
Thanks for your reply Andrew. I’ve had auto’s before and they make for a more relaxing drive but not one for towing. Need to do lots of research first as the Rexton is way out of my price range 😂
Once again Andrew you forgot to say how Douglas likes it, especially the heated seats. A seriously professional and informative review, and I’ve never towed anything being a Motorhomes. Happy New Year BTW
Dougal, damn this predictive text.
Cheers Keith!
Very attractive vehicle. 22mpg while towing sounds fantastic compared to what I got pulling a 1500kg, 6 meter long trailer, and especially compared to my boxy old-fashioned 25 foot motor home (about 10mpg...thank goodness gas is cheap here in Texas for now). Nice review.
very impressive, I loved the intro 🙂
Wowwwww, after that rave review you Andrew totally deserve a free all expenses round trip to the SangYong factory where these cars are manufactured , that was a brilliant video , so informative and educational , but I do love my Rav 4 , only 3 yes old and just over 7k on the clock , my dealer's dying to get his hands on it , but he's not having it !! The heated car seats are total bliss for me ,because I suffer from sciactica both buttocks , thanks to working 34yrs in twin operating theatres, when I get my new knee joint in Feb this year , then I will be able to tow myself, fingers crossed and get traveling again !! Once again Andrew thanks for sharing , good luck to you and little cutiepie , happy travels ATB Linda and Lilykins xo
Aww, thanks Linda! I imagine anyone with hip/back/sciatic pain is gonna love those heated seats! And good on you for keeping your RAV... I maintain the the longer you keep a car, the better all round.
Great review, loved the extremely professional and snazzy car-ad style introduction! The trouble with residuals, as you correctly say, isn't as much of a problem if you're buying the car outright and/or keeping it for 7 years. However, due to the very large outlay many buyers are buying new cars on PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) where residuals can make a huge difference to the monthly amount. This is where a manufacturer like VW/Audi, Mercedes, Land Rover etc usually appear better value. This is because the monthly amount is calculated between the purchase price, less deposit, less residual value.
Excellent point and succinctly put, thanks Simon!
I have not had a Rexton but I have had 2 Korando tow cars. They are solid machines but that hesitation at junctions was a problem on both of mine. It can lead to some swearing if you get it wrong. As for the warranty I didn’t need mine. No faults in a total of 6 years. Dealers are few and far between though.
Very thorough and detailed review looks a decent bit of kit think badge envy might put a few off, wouldn’t bother me as we already have a Santa Fe
As always, a succinct review. I’m guessing you’re relying on friends to buy one because, where would you put the Triumph? Keep up the good work!
Intro was top notch. Andrew has found his calling.
Cheers Thomas!
Superb! Thank you Andrew, I could not have asked for a more detailed, rounded review of this motor car, especially as I am in the market for such a replacement, as you know! The fuel consumption may be a little low, especially towing, but very comparable to its classic, and somewhat more expensive, category rivals. One minor question: it looked like you had the removable tow bar option fitted? As you did not mention it I assume it was not an issue and coped admirably with the task of towing the Airstream? Many thanks for such a comprehensive review sir, most enjoyable to watch too... 👍🏻 😉 🐍
Yes, it was the removable towbar, but I didn't actually ever remove it as it just doesn't bother me!
Hi Andrew great review on Rexton a few months ago i did consider buying the same model but i made a decision between Pequot 3008 2 L or Xtrail 2L i made a choice Nissan Xtrail based on the purchase price from the dealers it has some minor tech issues on being a little dated compared to 3008 but waiting for the next season to start towing again last few years we had a Freelander 2.2 hse great car but it was time to update but the tech stuff is more or less the same as the new xtrail Nissan need to up spec the xtrail best wishes
The delay in reaction when you put your foot down may be related to the control of emissions. I had similar experiences with a little Peugeot 107 both the manual and the automatic versions.
Mate at work bought smaller korando with awd, he says his fuel economy not even towing is terrrible for its size.. its 2ltr doozl.. even on a run low 40's.. nicely built though.
Good Review Andrew... oh just noticed 31k subs your doing well matey.
Thank you :)
One of the only ladder chassis suv you can still buy.
Hey Ssang Yong have you had any con rods snap in the lower engine at just under two years old ? Within your new seven year warranty?
Rediculous pricing in the UK. The cheapest one in The Netherlands is € 70.000! As always a good review. Peter
SsA
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Can the Ssangyong REXTON 4WD suspension be equipped with a 3.0 in. - 3.5 in. suspension lift & 33.0 in. or 34.0 in. A/T radial tyres???
Why isn’t the range topping Ultimate version of the Rexton only offered as a 5 seater when the trim levels lower down the Rexton range are offered as 7 seaters as well?
As expected, a professionally done video and well done review. Is the Rexton available in US or importable in a US version?
I believe so as I have seen US reviews on it on RUclips :)
Andrew Ditton Goodness: instant reply! Same name in US?
Andrew Ditton Apparently due to sell in US this year. May change their name to something more marketable. Thx for responses!
SsangYong has since admitted that the Reversing Sensors not isolating, or able to be isolated, with a caravan plugged in will require a software mod that they are now working on. In the meantime, rather than cover EVERYTHING, this review is intended to fill in the gaps that the publicity doesn't tell you.
I can confirm it's the same with the 2018 Korando as well. You can't even turn them off at the switch.
OMG, I get better mpg from my 3l v6 grand Cherokee towing a 2 ton caravan even solo. I'll stick with Jeepy thanks. good vlog again though.
unles your caravan is permanently stuck to your jeep ,the rexton on a standard day to day commute will deliver fare better mpg than your jeep
What a intro!!!! 😉🎩
Oh, just a bit of video I cobbled together... ;@)
Hi Andrew
Watch all your vlogs have you done a review on the Kia Sorento for towing if so I would like to see it.
Mickymoo,
I tow a swift carrisma.
Not yet Mick, but I would like to! Hopefully now I have done one review the car manufacturers will be falling over themselves to let me try out their cars too... well, I can live in dream!
Great review, just one important question. How much weight are you towing? Also, I don't believe the delay on take off is due to the automatic gearbox, as it has 8 ratios, instead this is because the rexton engine doesn't have bi-turbo technology, which does eliminate diesel engine lag 👍
How heavy is your airstream?
Great review Andrew, very honest, i know you need your Nissan Navarra for your motorbike but would you rather have it over the Rexton if it had a heated steering wheel and Apple Airplay ?
The ride in the Rexton is smoother. I think that would win it for me. But it's academic - I have at least 5 years left in the Nav yet.
Andrew Ditton yes get your monies worth mate.
Do you have any video's talking about the pro's and con's of the Airstream?
Yes, lots and lots of Airstream stuff on this channel including a 40-minute look at the Missouri! Just check out the videos tab on my Channel Page, cheers!
As usual an honest and informative review which is to be expected.
I love my Volvo XC60 which is also automatic and for me it being just that bit bigger engine size at 2.4 gives me a little bit more umph when towing and needing to as you said get out onto Islands etc, I did look at them but having had Volvo's before I decided sooner the 😈 you know LOL
I might be changing later so will probably have another look at them, I love all the in car equipment it's carrying, the Volvo does lack some of these and for the money it should have been loaded.
Are you also going to review the van as well.
Glad Dougal is happy and has had a good time.
Stay safe and be happy
Hi Alexandra, there is a long review of the Airstream Missouri on my channel, roughly September 2017 :)
Hi thank you I have probably seen it but I love reviews on vans, sad or what, is Dougal in it, could you do a review on Dougal LOL
Thanks for the review, what was the weight you were towing?
Hi, it was about 1800kg. Thanks for watching!
If you didn’t have the Thruxton would you change in your Navara? Cheers Oliver
Put it this way Oliver, I knew that the car was going to be sold off at the end of the loan. Had I been in the market for a car (but I still have a good few years left in the Nav yet) I would have seriously put in an offer! I didn't want to give it back.
How does the fuel consumption compare with your Navara and would you swap one for the other?
Nav is 25 towing, 35 solo. Rexton 22 towing, 32 solo. If I were in the market for a car and did not need to carry the bike, I would deffo go for a Rexton. But I still have at least 5 years left in the Nav yet, and I need to carry the bike.
Wow that was a quick reply to my question -- lol lol.
How much can the Rexton Ultimate tow? We have a 2000kg plated Buccaneer Cruiser, will the Rexton handle this?
Thanks Tony.
Can tow up to 3500kg,
Just watched this again Andrew, sorry, couldn’t resist after reading the newer comments!
Just a quickie on the TomTom SatNav - does it do ‘Touring Caravan’ SatNav and European as standard?... 🤔 😉 🐍
European Yes. 'Touring Caravan?' Hmm... I didn't see any option as such on the settings I'm afraid. That's one to add to your list for the dealer visit. There WERE plenty of campsites listed under the POIs though.
Andrew Ditton Thanks Andrew, appreciated and I will ask if I get that far... 👍🏻 😎 🐍
👍
Fuel consumption and second hand value
I would be skeptical of a brand new car brand. Never having seen one or heard of one before, I would want to wait until the brand was a couple years old before buying one. I noticed around 12:30 that you were walking stiffly, as maybe your knee didn't really like snowboarding.
It's more to do with not being 25 any more :-/
Looking to replace my Disco 4, but 22mpg? The Disco does 22 carrying the family and towing our uprated Colorado - not sure I could afford to run a Rexton! :-)
Nicholas Barnes Also considering one to replace my Disco 4 (which was stolen on NYE - damn keyless entry!) ... 👍🏻 🥴 🐍
@@Venomator. bummer. Radio receiver attack? Comes to something when I'm considering building a Faraday cage to keep the keys in in the house. 😕
Went to look at a Disco 5 today. They're letting me have one on an extended test drive so I can see how well it tows the Airstream...
Nicholas Barnes No attack as far as I know, not at home anyway! The perp just opened the gates to our drive, walked up to the D4, got in, started it and drove off, all within about ten seconds and all on camera! My keys were kept in an aluminium lined steel box when not in use. However, it was in the dealers, for two days, for some investigative work just before Xmas - coincidence? How are you liking the Disco 5? Not sure I am investing that much in a decent motor to have it walk again... 🙄 🤢 🐍
@@Venomator. Hmm. Not good.
With the D5 I'm having a hard job getting past the ugly as sin rear end. I'm now thinking that as long as I'm driving it, I can't see it! That having been said, there are companies producing redesigned rears with a centralised number plate... Not cheap though.
I haven't driven it yet, but it will have to be very very good to make me want to change the D4.
Nicholas Barnes I know what you mean, I really enjoyed the D4 and would not have changed it any time soon, only 20k miles at 4 yrs!... 🤔 😎 🐍
Great review and looks a great car although the looks leave me a little cool.
Doesn't the gearbox have a sport mode? My BMW does which always helps when pulling onto a roundabout or out of a junction when towing the van?
Keep up the good work Andrew
Cheers Dude
Hi Dude, it's a Mercedes gearbox and I rather lazily left it on 'W' for 'winter' setting. Good point you raised and now I wish I'd given the S setting a go. However, I did talk to other Rexton owners about this point and all agreed that the lag is noticeable, so I would still go with that view. Cheers!
I notice you mounted your mirrors on the bottom edge. Not many people realise thats the best way to fit them to a Rexton, the top is just not suitable and they work equally well.
That's a tip I picked up driving for CAMC Towcar of the Year! ;)
Hi Andrew, Over hill & over dale, Andrew & Dougal will prevail!!
Yes indeed old chum a heated drivers wheel is a thing of pleasure,.... to get one's hand nice & warm as to remove the cold touch shock factor,....😜😮🍌🌋
question please. why did you not just wrap breakaway cable around the tow bar as recommended by towbar companies when no suitable attachment fitted. cheers.
Excellent question! The towbar is a removable towbar (my bad for not pointing this out, but you can get a fixed towbar) and in the case of a removable towbar you should ALWAYS anchor to the coupling eye. That way if the securing mechanism fails or you somehow didn't lock the tow hook in securely and it comes adrift, the caravan brakes will still apply. If the cable were wrapped around the tow hook and it came adrift, the caravan would plough on. On my own car, it is a fixed tow bar and yes, I do loop the cable around the hook. I hope this makes sense!
very good Andrew, but Chester towbars and trailers stated that if no designated fixing point is available on tow bar or tow ball then must be wrapped around tow ball. You stated that the breakaway cable would not fit in the tow bar hole so this would suggest that you need to wrap around ball. westfalia advised this to me on my detachable. read- www.al-ko.com/shop/media/uploads/NCC_breakaway_cable_advice.pdf.pdfThanks very much Andrew. not criticising just making sure really.
@@MrSnookerballs Thanks! But that is the crucial point - there IS a designated fixing point! I am sure that my work-around with the carabiner is far safer than looping the cable around a removable towball.
Could you specify fuel consumption in liters and kilometers instead please?
I bet Ssanyong are pleased with this. Lots of your miles were on better continental roads Andrew, not much really off road or really bad 4x4 conditions, which probably reflects most caravanners use so understandable. However, how did you find the ride and comfort on the potholed crevices we call UK roads, did it smooth them out?
To be honest Eddie, when I got back I noticed the roads to be rougher and it smoothed them out pretty well but it was less comfortable than the smooth - and very expensive - French motorways. I noticed a lot of difference when I climbed back into my leaf-sprung D40 Navara!
haha, are the Navaras days numbered I wonder😂
Would like one if I had the cash for it :)
The 2.2 Diesel could possibly have a reliability issue
Good review. Not surprising the economy is down on expectation. All those toys use fuel. I wonder how you would cope in an EV version or equivalent with that load? You'd probably just be arriving in Portugal. 7yr warranty is indicates manufacture doesn't make parts designed to fail just after 3yrs. So as you say, long term buy is a good idea. Wonder how people would lease a car of this cost? So hard to find out this kind of market sensitive info.👍🙂
Interesting point Carl. I also look at 'whole life' costs and save up and pay cash for my vehicles. Most people don't, they pay monthly and only look at the monthly figure. As you rightly imply, the WAY you purchase a car is just as much as a deciding factor as the price.
We also did pay our car and camper cash, we also plan to use them for at least 10 years, preferable 15 or more. That way spending a 1000€ or even 2500€ more for options or lower fuel consumption doesn't matter that much if it gives us extra comfort and lower costs afterwards. I also keep track of all costs, even a light bulb that needs replacing etc. After more than 5 years the averaged numbers become much more acceptable ;-)
I'm not interested in buying such car, but I did enjoy it anyways. Fuel consumption is high compared to the 30mpg I get with the camper towing a small trailer with total weight just above 4t and a camper of 3m12 high (although I need to measure again because of a new roof vent). I guess people just don't seem to care enough when considering a car.
Too bad Ssangyong vehicles are not sold in The U.S.A. or Canada. But from what I heard, Ssangyong has given Hyundai and KIA a real run for their money in other markets.
Never heard of this vehicle before. Had to google it to find out more. Very interesting. Greetings from 🇨🇦
After bought by Mahindra,a familiar brand in U.S.A., Ssangyong has improved a lot in quality.
Warranty has no reflection of quality etc
Its a sales gimmick.... nice motor but dreadful residuals
Rexton looking better every yesr
22 mpg? LOL in Murica you're lucky to break the low dbl digits in the typical V10 gas powered Class A motor homes. We also prefer 3L V6s in our SUVs unless you are living large in a Suburban with a V8 that is in a class where the manufacturer isn't required to divulge fuel mileage (3/4 ton) As for a manual gear box... a manual is seen as a theft deterrent as no one under 40 knows how to operate a car you have to shift for your self.
Unfortunately, Ssangyong has no dealership network in The USA or Canada. It's an unfortunate pity that Hyundai and KIA are still the dominant Korean car sales leaders in North America, and Ssangyong would be welcomed as a newcomer in these parts.
They have made noises about entering the North American market but ya, as of now they have no presence. Seems like they could make a go of it as buyers seem to be mad for SUVs. To the point where Ford and GM have discontinued most of their sedans.
I still prefer a camper van or coach built. Towing something seems scary.
It's not scary once you've done it once :)
all diesel turbo engines that i know of have that hesitance / lag when you want it to take off quickly.
22MPG thats less than the Wright brothers were getting!
What! no drifting sideways around a disused aerodrome.....
The desert is almost as much a cliché, Chaz ;@)
Send me one
I really like you and no negativity pointed at you only to say that you said the fuel consumption was a “minor irritation!” I would have a heart attack at the petrol pump if my Citroen Grand Picasso automatic only produced that very poor return. Just saying like....... Peter
Cheers Peter - both for your comment and the thought you have put in to making it not sound offensive! Much appreciated. I did of course want to draw attention to the fact but not labour it, as SOME folks might find those kind of figures 'not too bad'. My own Nissan returns 25 towing and 35 solo, so it is 'only' about 10% down on that. I still remember my 1980s Ford Granada 2.3GL returning 18mpg towing my old Thomson caravan... now THAT really would make me weep now!
Andrew Ditton Get a Citroen dear boy! My one does 35 when towing and 46 solo lol!
@@krippleinacaravanxxx707 But can I get my motorbike in the back? ;@)
Andrew Ditton Very true and what a bike it is!
That’s over £1000 on fuel
Troppo larga meglio. 187
I would never buy an overpriced car such as this with all that tech in it...regardless of a 7-year warranty. I need a vehicle I can work on with ease with the least amount of tech to go wrong. Having owned an LR4 in the past few years I have now gone back to a Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon with 120k on the clock and I can put right myself. I think the Ssangyong first year tax RFL is around £1770
and has the same cheap looking crap in it as all the rest.....and it has stop-start tech too which is pointless tat.
Nobody cares.
Sadly a manufacturing vehicle company going down the drain, buy one and you risk this company disappearing tomorrow. Sadly
Ssangyong is like a boat, you will only be happy with it twice, the day you buy it and the day you get rid of it.
I could never buy a car made by people who eat dogs.