Ssangyong Rodius 270 ES 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The 5 cylinder 2.7 litre turbodiesel engine offers reasonable low-down grunt with a torque figure of 250 lb-ft at 1800-3250 rpm. However, with maximum power of only 163bhp at 4000 rpm and acceleration from 0-62 mph taking a lengthy 14.2 seconds, it is not a car to set the pulse racing.

Fuel economy is also hampered by the car’s large size, achieving just 32.1mpg on a combined cycle. Whilst this is a relatively low figure for a diesel car it is still fairly impressive for any vehicle carrying seven passengers.

The diesel engine is a bit on the noisy side and the ride comfort is a little hard but overall the handling is adequate - although it fails to live up to the level of many of the Rodius 270’s competitors.

The driver’s seat is height adjustable and the steering wheel has rake adjustment. The windows are electric and offer excellent all-round views - which is just as well as the interior looks and feels cheap and unrefined.

The car is large even by MPV standards but that simply means there is more room inside for all of the passengers. While its exterior looks may turn a few heads, unfortunately this will not be for its beauty. The Rodius 270 ES has a rather bulky front end and side-on views make it appear cumbersome and clumsy.

However, the equipment inside the car is quite extensive and includes electric windows, folding mirrors, CD, Bluetooth connectivity, MP3 connectivity, cruise control and split/fold rear seats all as standard. It also comes with alloy wheels, stability control and front fog lights to enhance the exterior but this does little to direct attention from the unflattering shape.

An automatic gearbox is available as an optional extra at £1,500 with other enhancements also available. Metallic paint, satellite navigation and a rear-parking sensor are all examples of this costing £500, £999 and £198 respectively.

The SsangYong Rodius 270 ES has an abundance of space for carrying so whether you’re piling in the cases for a holiday or loading up in the supermarket car park, it will accommodate your needs perfectly. The middle seats can be turned or swivelled to face the rear or can fold down for even greater carrying space. The rear bench is removable too, making it easy for drivers to achieve the impressive 3,043 litre maximum boot capacity which this model boasts.

There are seven three-point seatbelts fitted as standard and airbags for the driver and passenger help to increase safety. However, side airbags and curtain airbags are not available which is a huge disadvantage when the model is compared to its rivals.

The car comes with a five year unlimited mile warranty which will put drivers at ease. Unfortunately, fuel economy is not its strong point and with a carbon footprint of 223g/km it is unlikely to win any awards for its green credentials either.

The SsangYong Rodius 270 ES is a lot of car for just £16,995. It is reasonably comfortable inside the spacious, albeit cheap-feeling cabin, and it will be a useful vehicle for shopping trips and holidays.

However, its running costs are quite high, the comfort of the drive leaves a little to be desired and it will make long spells on motorways something you may want to avoid. The exterior design could also deter buyers and fuel economy could be better for a diesel.

If you are buying a new family car and the Rodius' quirky looks appeal to you then long-term ownership of this model would help offset the steep depreciation that this car will attract. While not the last word in refinement or excitement, it’s certainly a big car for a small outlay and could be a viable option for families on a strict budget.