It is all going worldwide, but in the Netherlands it just doesn’t work out with SsangYong. The problem: the bpm. In an attempt to turn the tide, the Koreans are now providing their smallest model with an extensive facelift and a new three-cylinder petrol engine with turbo.
Between 2004 and 2008, SsangYong still experienced a relatively high period in our country, although in this case that means several hundred passenger car registrations per year. Ever since bpm has depended on CO2 emissions, sales have been bluntly said to be crying, with a handful of copies each year undoubtedly being registered primarily for demonstration purposes. In 2019, no more than two SsangYongs were even registered, supplemented by a handful of copies with gray license plates and young used import cars. The fact that the brand is still there, in any case, shows perseverance.
New engines
On the other hand, there is always some hope on the horizon. In 2015 it was the new Tivoli. As a newcomer to the wildly popular segment of the compact crossovers, SsangYong’s smallest model seemed like a bull’s eye, but we can safely say that the Tivoli for the Netherlands was not the success that the brand might have hoped for. The upcoming electric SsangYong must definitely turn the tide, but before that, the Tivoli may try again in facelifted form. The main achievement: new engines. As a small three-cylinder, the 1.2 T-GDi entry-level engine is cut out on paper for a country where every gram of CO2 counts. With 128 hp, the 1.2 from parent company Mahindra is also just as powerful as the 1.6 that preceded it, while with 230 instead of 160 Nm there is a lot more torque available. Emotionally, the Tivoli is pretty fast, but that’s mainly because of the way the Indian 1.2 delivers its power. That is not so linear, so that the car gives a remarkably strong push in the back from 1,750 revolutions per minute. That is entertaining, but the downside is that not much happens below that speed. For example, it can happen that the car reacts unexpectedly tame or suddenly fiercely after switching. The operation of the gearbox could be a bit nicer. The fairly long poker can be directed from resistance to resistance in a somewhat insensitive way. When it comes to handling, the Tivoli is a real everyone’s friend, but the chassis is not completely in balance. For example, the car leans quite a bit in the bend, while unevenness such as speed bumps are not taken up very smoothly. The Tivoli turns out to be remarkably quiet at speed.
Piano paint
The facelift of the Tivoli not only brings changes to the hood, grille, bumper, headlights and rear lights, but also a completely new dashboard. A strongly rounded whole is thereby replaced by a bolder, more striking dashboard, in which the center console in particular immediately catches the eye. Ventilation grilles, the touchscreen and almost all control elements are contained in one panel, which is also entirely made of piano lacquer. The somewhat plump end result is sensitive to taste, but in any case nice and different. There is nothing wrong with the build quality in itself. The dashboard is even largely made of fairly soft material. It is a pity that not all details have been worked out with the same care. Unfortunately, the most expensive trim levels of the Tivoli cannot be combined with the 1.2. For example, the new digital instruments ignore this engine, while that would be a great asset to this interior. The largest available touchscreen is available; at 9.2 inches that is really up to par. It is a nice, responsive screen, equipped with TomTom navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. In that respect, the car is certainly up to date. Unfortunately, the depth-adjustable handlebars are reserved for the non-available top versions, which means that the seating position is very moderate for taller people in particular.
Main room
One of the strengths of the SsangYong Tivoli is its interior space. Of course, nothing has changed with the facelift, so that adult rear passengers can still find a comfortable place in the back of the relatively compact Korean. The high roof provides plenty of headroom, while the nice amount of legroom is in fact also due to the height of the car. As a result, you sit relatively upright and the sofa can be placed higher in the car. In the back of the Tivoli you can take 425 liters of stuff and it also boasts a well-finished luggage compartment. The Korean will receive a double floor in two parts from its makers, which also makes it possible to divide the luggage compartment into segments. A neat roller screen, which can also be stored under the loading floor, serves to cover the whole.
The new 1.2T engine from SsangYong, as mentioned, cannot be combined with the thickest trim levels. The most expensive version is therefore the Quartz. This costs almost the same as a Suzuki Vitara in Style trim, but lacks climate control, LED headlights, adaptive cruise control and keyless entry / go. The Korean does score points with his active lane assistance. A machine is not yet on the options list.