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Carsales Staff16 Feb 2021
NEWS

SsangYong Rexton powers up

Local specs show more diesel muscle coming for Korean brand’s new-look Toyota Prado rival

First local specs for the new SsangYong Rexton have emerged, detailing the mid-life update for the South Korean brand’s seven-seat large SUV that is expected to reach showrooms during March.

Pricing is still to be announced, but the new 2021 SsangYong Rexton has a bold new look and will come with a more powerful 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 148kW (up 15kW) and 441Nm of torque (up 21Nm).

By comparison, the segment-leading Toyota Prado uses a 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre engine, while the popular Isuzu MU-X uses a 130kW/430Nm 3.0-litre oil-burner. Both of these are body-on-frame large SUVs built along similar lines to the SsangYong Rexton.

The updated engine in the Rexton will drive through a new eight-speed shift-by-wire automatic transmission (previously seven-speed) and a continuing selectable part-time four-wheel drive system.

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SsangYong Australia is quoting an official combined-cycle fuel economy rating of 8.9L/100km, which is slightly higher than the 8.3L/100km currently offered.

A petrol engine is no longer available, with no sign of it on the local website or among the international specs.

Maximum braked towing capacity remains at 3500kg.

The Rexton model range will continue with ELX and Ultimate grades in Australia, both offering a high level of driver assist tech and creature comforts as standard.

The comprehensive suite of safety systems includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, driver attention alarm, front vehicle start alert, high beam assist, tyre pressure monitoring, a reversing camera, and front and rear parking sensors.

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There’s also a smart key, hill start assist, hill descent control, anti-rollover protection, emergency stop signal, trailer sway control and nine airbags.

As before, the Ultimate adds a 360-degree camera and niceties such as leather seats, wireless smartphone charging, a heated steering wheel, illuminated scuff plates, power tailgate and a sunroof.

It also has 20-inch chrome-finish alloy wheels compared to the ELX, which uses 18-inch diamond-cut alloys.

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That’s not to say the ELX is hard done by, with standard fare running to LED headlights, front and rear fog lights, heated exterior mirrors, 8.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, dual USB slots, front seat power adjustment, dual-zone climate control and a leather-clad steering wheel.

SsangYong filed for court protection from bankruptcy in South Korea late last year, but its Australian subsidiary moved to reassure owners and prospective customers that it’s business as usual for the time being.

The outgoing SsangYong Rexton ELX is priced from $46,990 drive-away, with the Ultimate $6000 more expensive at $52,990 drive-away. Run-out pricing currently sees these reduced by $1000 apiece.

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