A comfy people carrier

What was once voted as the “ugliest car in the world” has gone through a major evolution – in a good way.

The new Ssangyong Stavic MPV looks more acceptable than its predecessor, thanks to a more contemporary frontend design that’s borrowed from the Actyon SUV, while the rear is also easier on the eyes, with a MercedesBenz styled Dpillar that doesn’t raise eyebrows any longer.The interior has been totally redone, and features 11 seats. This is due to the huge tax advantage over the lower number of seats, allowing distributor Ssangyong Thailand to offer the MPV at a reasonably attractive price of Bt1.78 million.

Still, having 11 seats is probably too much for the 5.1metrelong Stavic, since third and fourthrow passenger won’t have any room for their legs. What customers are expected to do is remove the fourth row of seats to allow the third row to be pushed back slightly, and have more space for luggage. But even if you don’t, the fourthrow seat backrests can be folded flat to create a smaller luggage compartment.

The interior is cleanlooking, with the instrument panel located in the middle of the console. There’s a smaller fascia right behind the 4spoke steering wheel too – in case you are not used to the new location.

The Stavic is powered by a MercedesBenz 2.0litre turbo diesel engine capable of pumping out 155 horsepower and 360Nm. It is mated to a 5speed automatic featuring a classic Mercedesstyled laddertype shift gate that gets it moving comfortably. It requires a bit of force to move the gearshift lever, but after you manage to get it into D the electronics take over smoothly.There is also a manual mode via steering wheel buttons and a tiny button on the gearshift knob that I had mistaken for an overdrive button. Nevertherless, it does its job with no problems whatsoever.

The Stavic weighs over two tonnes, but there’s enough torque to give it trustworthy overtaking performance. However, this is a people mover, and you won’t get any sporty performance out of it. Average fuel consumption is claimed to be 12.8km/litre, and the Stavic goes all the way to 181km/h.

But again this is not a vehicle in which you would want to floor the throttle or dart in and out of lanes. It’s more of a holiday MPV for the whole family to cruise in comfortably.What you will enjoy is the easy entry and exit (thanks to the wideopening doors), as well as the comfortable interior. Hop into the individual secondrow seats, recline the backrest and you can easily doze off. Didn’t take me long to do just that during my role as a passenger while on the short testdrive event to Chon Buri.

There is a dualzone climatecontrol system so that front and rear passengers can enjoy different settings, and although the audio system is quite difficult to use if you don’t have the owner’s manual, there is a Bluetooth function that streams music fast and smoothly.

Other features include a DVD player with two headrestmounted screens and various inputs, onboard computer, multifunction steering wheel, cruise control, automatic windshield wipers, autoswitching headlights, leather upholstery, backup camera, privacy glass and roof rails.

There are airbags for the driver and front passenger, but none for the rear passengers. Well, at least the brakes are discs allaround with ABS and EBD. The front double wishbone and rear multilink suspension is generally comfy, although if the going gets tough you’d likely notice some harshness when driving over deep potholes or speed bumps.

The Ssangyong Stavic may not be the leader when we’re talking automotive technology, but it is good at doing its job, which is carrying lots of people comfortably and entertainingly to a holiday destination.

And if you put up all the 11 seats, you can even take the inlaws and babysitters along too. Even better would be for a polygamous family to travel together in the same vehicle. Now that would be fun, I think! 

 

 

Ssangyong Stavic SV200 

Engine: 4cylinder DOHC 16valve commonrail with turbocharger 

Displacement: 1,988cc

Bore and stroke: 86.2x85.6mm

Compression ratio: 16.5:1

Max power: 155hp/4,000rpm

Max torque: 360Nm/1,5002,800

Transmission: 5speed automatic

Average fuel consumption: 12.8km/litre

Top speed: 181km/h

Suspension (f/r): double wishbone/multilink

Brakes (f/r): vented disc/disc with ABS, EBD

 

Dimensions (mm)

Length: 5,130

Width: 1,915

Height: 1,815

Wheelbase: 3,000

Track (f/r): 1,610/1,620

Weight: 2,050 kgs

Turning circle: 11.6 metres

Wheels: 16inch alloys

Tyres: 225/60 R16

Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres

Price: Bt1.78 million

Distributor: Ssangyong Thailand