El Korando e-Motion is the version with propulsion system fully electric (BEV) of the SsangYong Korando, Midsize SUV and traditional five-door body. Although the fourth generation of this model was launched in 2019, it has not been until 2023 when the manufacturer, of South Korean origin, has decided to market this variant in our country (it was already sold in other regions of the planet). His design It is distinguished from the conventional one by a closed front grill and some details in blue.. It is the first electric car of the brand, which has dispensed with hybrid products before taking this technological step.
As we will see below, the vehicle in question It does not fail in any aspect, but it does not stand out in anything concrete either. Available from 37.900 Euros, offers a good degree of equipment from the base, a relatively spacious cabin and an acceptable level of finish. It moves thanks to a motor 190 CV of power that feeds a battery of 62 kWh of gross capacity, which allows to travel, in theory (according to the WLTP approval cycle), 339 km per full charge, quite limited if you want to travel with it.
Practical, simple and spacious, although with a somewhat small trunk
The Korando e-Motion has a very good relationship between the space available in the cabin and its exterior dimensions. This car measures Meters long 4,47, 1,87 wide and 1,64 high with a wheelbase of 2,68 meters. Its interior dimensions are especially generous in the second row of seats, where it stands out for its length between backrests (legroom) and height between bench and ceiling (headroom). In terms of width, three people can travel at the same time in the rear seats better than in most cars in this category.
access is easy, since the doors grant an opening with a lot of angle leaving a wide gap. In addition, the design of the body in its rear area does not present any drop from the upper part, which allows tall people to get in and out without excessive bending. On the other hand, visibility is excellent, since the glazed surface is extensive and the inclination of the structural pillars has been studied to guarantee safe maneuvers and light.
However, the trunk of this SUV is relatively small. SsangYong has indicated during its national presentation that it has a capacity of 551 liters, but this is not a rigorous figure or comparable with its alternatives, since it is the volume that is up to the roof (covering the rear window) and not the approved VDA up to the tray.
Actually, the cargo space for luggage in the Korando e-Motion has 423 litres, which can be increased to 1.248 if the backrests for the rear seats are folded down. For reference, that of a KIA e Niro, which is a 5 cm shorter product, reaches 495 liters and is more transparent, since the wheel arches of the Korando e-Motion are too prominent and make said volume less usable. There is a double floor to store the charging cables, but not a front trunk as in other BEVs.
Standard qualities, plenty of equipment and obsolete multimedia
Broadly speaking, this SsangYong it's well finished. The materials with which it has been built are common (hard plastics of medium quality abound) and settings are correct. During our test, no rubbing noises between interior parts have been reported and it has given us the impression that the manufacturer has made a good job regarding the soundproofing of the cabin. Even at highway speeds, the aerodynamic turbulence and resonance produced by the rolling of the tires are little appreciated. Yes indeed, we consider excessive the area occupied, on the dashboard, by the particularly delicate “piano black” type moldings.
The Korando e-Motion is available with two different finishes. The basic is called Urban, while the advanced one is called Limited (it is the one we have tested). The first one is already installed. Dual-zone automatic climate control as standard, a wide range of driving aids, two screens (one 8" for the multimedia equipment and another 12" for the instrumentation), anti-glare interior mirror, keyless entry and starting, fabric upholstery, seats and steering wheel with manual height and depth adjustments, LED headlights, 17-inch wheels (they are not the ones that appear in the photographs), windshield with antifreeze function, front fog lights, tinted rear windows, ISOFIX anchorages in the side rear seats and tire pressure control.
The top of the range adds on top of the previous one: heated steering wheel and front seats, sunroof, parking sensors with rear camera, mixed fabric and synthetic leather upholstery, longitudinal rails (pre-installation of roof rack), two extra airbags (goes from six to eight) and two additional assistants (blind spot monitoring and rear traffic alert). In addition, in either of the two trim levels, there are available four colors: white, blue, gray and black. There are hardly any customization possibilities.
Although it meets the needs of the average consumer, one of the main drawbacks of this car is its infotainment system.. works fine but the main screen does not have a quality at the level of its competition and for mobile compatibility, the device needs to be connected with a USB cable regardless of phone brand (wireless pairing is the current standard in new vehicles). In general, the multimedia equipment is somewhat obsolete and it could be faster, as well as more intuitive for certain functions. In return, It is appreciated that the air conditioner controls are physical and simple to use.
Good dynamic performance, but little autonomy in 2023
The Korando e-Motion propulsion system is made up of an electric motor that yields a maximum of 190 HP of power and 360 Nm of torque. It is installed on the front axle, so this car moves by front-wheel drive. Despite having to drag a rather heavy assembly, of the order of 1,8 tons empty, it is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km / h in 8,4 seconds and reach a top speed limited to 160 km/h. The official average consumption is 16,8 kWh/100 km, although in practice it is a little higher: close to 19 kWh / 100 km.
For its part, the battery that powers the drive (created by LG) has a common lithium-ion chemistry. It has a gross capacity of 61,5 kWh and a net (useful) of 55,3. Thanks to it, the SUV can travel 339 km without stopping according to the autonomy that your brand has managed to standardize under the WLTP combined cycle. If it is given a conventional use and especially if it leaves urban environments, it is difficult to travel more than 250 km without reloading. This operation can be carried out up to 100 kW DC input power (6,6 in alternating).
These are figures significantly lower than industry standards as of 2023. For example, going back to the case of the current KIA e-Niro, this car allows driving for 460 km with a similar battery: 64,8 kWh of gross capacity. There are also passenger cars in this category that, today, support 150 kW or more when they recover energy on a fast charger.
Driving impressions: comfortable and uncompromising on fun
The Korando e-Motion can be defined as an SUV that does nothing wrong, but does not stand out in any way. It's a vehicle comfortable and with a high degree of active and passive safety (77% of its structure is made of high-strength steel). Result easy to handle in almost any circumstance, even pleasant.
The steering is totally artificial, but smooth, something that is appreciated in parking manoeuvres, while the engine proves to have plenty of performance for most situations. Even so, it is not a car that invites to have fun. We have not perceived very notable changes playing with the operating modes: Comfort, Sport, Eco and Eco+ (limit speed to 90 km/h).
What we like least is the tuning of its chassis and the choice of tires that the firm has made, at least in our market. This SsangYong it fails to strike a good compromise between comfort, agility and stability. The first thing has prevailed a lot, somewhat neglecting the other two concepts. During our contact on the road, we have observed that it is a car that works correctly on the highway and in the city, but It is not intended for twisty tracks.
When driven over them, the Korando e-Motion features excessive roll and a marked tendency to understeer (go straight when the command to turn with the steering wheel is given). Likewise, it has little respect for the occupants when going over bumps or high-frequency potholes (sudden). We think that With wider wheels (it has 215/65 R17 as standard), firmer springs and higher quality shock absorbers that absorb a greater range of irregularities, a better result would have been achieved.
The driving assistants work perfectly and, although they can be a bit intrusive, they allow you to disconnect them. Regenerative braking has up to three levels of retention and they graduate from some cams located behind the steering wheel. When mechanical braking is required, the car stops in a time and distance commensurate with its weight, but modulating the pedal requires a period of adaptation, which already has two sections of travel that require different pressures to activate each type of brake. With 17 cm of free height to the ground, you can approach a forest track with guarantees of not hurting the bass.
SsangYong Korando e-Motion prices: your best selling point
The SsangYong Korando e-Motion is for sale from 37.900 euros in combination with its most accessible finish and from 40.900 euros if you opt for the most complete in terms of equipment. With commercial campaigns, financing and the MOVES III Plan subsidies, the acquisition cost is 10.000 euros less in both cases, while with a 48-month leasing contract with availability of 10.000 km per year costs about 600 euros every 30 days.
It's a product more affordable than most of its direct competitors. The e-Niro (204 CV) that we have given as an example throughout this test is worth 43.265 euros. A Peugeot e-2008 (136 CV) is close to 38.310 euros. He MG ZSEV It surpassed it recently, but its price has risen to more than 40.000 euros.
Conclusion: An affordable family-friendly electric SUV, despite its flaws
In short, the Korando e-Motion offers more space and the same equipment for less money. It is not the best product in its class in terms of dynamics, but it is a Spacious SUV, designed for families and that, although it cannot travel very far without stopping to recharge its battery, provides a more than acceptable level of comfort and safety. We hope that your manufacturer can meet all your demand, since its supply in Spain is uncertain (It is not known how many units they will have, but it is known that they will be manufactured in South Korea and that the first will be delivered in the summer of 2023).
