The seven-seater KGM Rodius is a great example of a multi-purpose vehicle packed with great equipment at a price to make your bank manager smile. It is available with all-wheel drive and offers great performance and comfort levels.

The good

Space galsore

The bad

That square back end looks like a box

Tech Specs

Price from

£14,995

Combined Fuel up to

32.1mpg

0-62 from

14.2 seconds

max speed up to

108mph

co2 from

223g/km

Test Drive

SsangYong Rodius 2.7 ES auto

Unconventional and a bit like Marmite – you’ll either love or hate the SsangYong Rodius.

Personally, I loved it. With unusual and quirky design features such as a very square rear end, there’s no mistaking the Rodius and when it comes to flexibility and versatility few other vehicles will come close to it.

It boasts seven leather seats – all comfortable. The option to swivel or slide seats is available and all occupants are treated to heaps of leg and head room – thanks partly to that square rear end which adds so much height to the vehicle.

The dark grey leather seats contrasted very smartly with the silver and black dashboard, and the cream coloured ceiling assisted with the bright and cheerful cabin environment.

The test model – the two-wheel-drive, mid-range ES model – came with a whole host of creature comforts, such as automatic air conditioning, a six-speaker audio system, heated leather seats (front and rear), a multi-function steering wheel, cruise control and plenty more besides.

Elsewhere, eye catching features included roof rails, tinted windows, 16-inch alloys and a detachable tow-bar.

The 2.7-litre, diesel-powered engine delivered ample oomph to propel such a large vehicle, but the handling at times was a little laboured and clumsy – mainly down to the larger-than-life size of the vehicle.

Cabin noise was not the quietest, but few vehicles in this segment can boast silent motoring, so that’s not really an issue.

Thanks to the high-seated driving position, the all-round visibility was excellent and acceleration through the five-speed automatic transmission was impressively smooth.

SsangYong has fitted a comprehensive list of top notch safety specifications to the Rodius, including anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, speed-sensing door locks, front and rear fog lights, numerous airbags, electronic stability programme, active rollover protection and lots more.

Admittedly, the Rodius is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but there is certainly plenty of room in the marketplace for this vehicle.

And don’t forget that ever-impressive SsangYong five-year, unlimited warranty package too.

Visit SsangYong for more details.

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