The Q2 is pleasingly bold on the surface, but plays with a very safe bat beneath it
Pros Bold styling (for Audi), should be a doddle to live with
Cons Not especially fun to drive, few real benefits over an A3
Pros Huge scope for personalisation Stylish, high-quality interior Great range of engines
Cons Many rivals are cheaper Limited kit on entry-level model Large wheels affect ride comfort
Pros Spacious interior Impressive safety kit Good build quality
Cons High price Firm ride on larger wheels Best features are optional
It can rumble with hot hatches, but does Audi's youth-focussed compact SUV warrant its $50K-plus price tag?
Pros Performance aplenty Nice road manners... ... and adroit handling Silky smooth dual-clutch auto
Cons Asks for Q3 money Misses key safety tech Second row not the last word in comfort
SsangYongs have been on sale in the UK since the ’90s – the company usually offers big SUVs for less than the majority of their competitors. Sadly, most of their models have proved to be lacklustre alternatives to the likes of the Kia Sportage, Suzuki Vitara and Nissan Qashqai. To drive, the Korando isn’t much fun, but most people buy one because they need an SUV either for tackling rough terrain or towing – two roles the SsangYong is perfectly suited to.
Pros Lots of space Relatively economical Generous standard kit
Cons Fast depreciation Dull styling Cheap feeling interior
The SsangYong Korando gives you a lot of car for your money – but nowhere near as much as a Dacia Duster.The SsangYong Korando is the brand’s mid-size SUV, pitched as a low-cost rival to the Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. On the move, the Korando isn’t as stable as a lot of its rivals, either – it tends to wallow about when going around corners and has an uncomfortable ride.
Pros Good value for money Spacious interior Low emissions
Cons Noisy diesel engine Poor-quality plastics Uncomfortable suspension
Not only was it a handsome addition to the compact crossover market, it was also the firm’s very first monocoque model – meaning it delivered a far better approximation of a car’s handling characteristics than any of the body-on-frame SUVs that continue to fill out the firm’s modest lineup. On the plus side, the Korando gets large storage bins, reach and rake adjustment for the steering wheel and generous equipment levels on higher-spec models. It is also competitive on interior space; offering decent leg and headroom for rear passengers, and acceptable luggage space. The interior is slightly less forgettable, but only because it comes partly clad in the kind of cheap plastic which cannot otherwise find a home in this class. The redesigned dashboard makes ergonomic sense, although it hasn’t lost any of its brittleness.
