SsangYong Rodius 270 S

Jan 2 2009 Robin Roberts

ONE of a few models from the Korean car maker SsangYong, the Rodius is rare and the fact it has enormous capacity to carry seven people and a very large volume of luggage at the same time really sets it apart from most MPVs.

Forget crossover, this is carrying capacity to the ultimate for the users who really need extra space. Think big families, taxi and private hire, airport and hotel transfer, the Rodius will take it all and still probably have room to spare.

SsangYong is a comparatively young car maker but it has worked with the oldest, Mercedes-Benz, and it has benefitted from this link and some very careful developments.

Mercedes and a number of US makers have made big MPVs and SsangYong follows them with the Rodius. Its styling may not be to every taste but it cleverly masks some of the bulk behind the bulkhead and there is no disputing its highly individual shape.

The Rodius gives excellent access for every user and even those heading into the back three seats can easily pass between the middle pair after using the big wide opening doors. If you need to, the fifth door also opens from knee-level to well above head height to reveal a large load bed with a good shape.

Should it be necessary, the rearmost seat also folds away to further raise the room available and the middle pair can also be stowed to add more space.

The seats are very big and well shaped to give good support and have good adjustment on the front pair.

They absorb road bumps and match the long travel suspension under the Rodius to let it soak up any bumps and give occupants a smooth ride over any surface.

Unfortunately, it means the Rodius can roll around bends and leave it scrambling for grip on damp surfaces. It doesn't like mid-corner bumps either and can bounce off line in some situations.

There is a lot of glass around the car and you need the air conditioning or the electric windows to keep it cool.

They do give good vision in most directions but the high waistline to the back means it is not as easy to reverse into tight spaces and you need parking sensors, which are not fitted to the Rodius and seem a serious oversight. Wipers and headlights are good.

It could also do with a tighter turning circle but its light steering makes parking easier than you may expect. Brakes are also very good and the parking brake holds it securely on the steepest hill.

The powertrain is also very easy to live with, starting quickly, pulling well and very economically despite only having five gears in-hand. It really cruises effortlessly at motorway speed and this is where I think Rodius will spend most time on business.

Even push hard and the fuel economy is still very good and seems unaffected by how heavily loaded it is.

For a vehicle with such potential I was surprised how little oddments room there is throughout the cabin but I had to marvel at the demountable shopping trolley built into the space most use to accommodate a skinny armrest between the front seats. It even comes with a pair of small wheels and an extendable grip.

While it looks like a conservatory on wheels, there is no doubt the SsangYong Rodius is full of surprises as well.

FAST FACTS

SsangYong Rodius 270 S

Price : £14,259

Mechanical : 165ps, 2,696cc, 5cyl diesel engine driving rear wheels via 5spd manual gearbox

Max speed : 105mph

0-62mph : 14.1 secs

Combined mpg : 32.1

Insurance group : 12

C02 emissions : 223g/km

BiK rating :: 35%

Warranty : 3yrs/ 60,000, 3yrs paint, 6yrs anti-rust