The SsangYong Rexton is a midsize SUV looking to make a name for itself amidst stiff competition in the Philippines. The vehicle stands as one of the only ladder-frame SUVs on offer from South Korea. Its cousin, the SsangYong Musso, shares the same platform. In contrary to the usual setup, the Musso pickup truck is based on the Rexton SUV. Just one glance at the exterior will reveal a very familiar proportion to the standard slew of SUVs rolling on our roads in the Metro. The 4x4 offerings only cement the SsangYong’s capability as a go-anywhere vehicle.
The Rexton competes in a segment where features reign supreme, so it stands out with amenities and creature comforts that are not normally found in other SUVs such as heated and cooled seats. It’s also quite adapted to the times, with advanced safety and convenience features to assist the driver. Smartphone connectivity is seamless, thanks to the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Rexton comes with the standard fare of equipment that helps it blend in with the rest of its SUV rivals – a 2.2-liter diesel engine, 4x4 and 4x2 options, and a spacious cabin with seating for seven. To top it all off, it stands out with a rear multi-link suspension, a design that is not too often seen in vehicles of this body style.
Launch
The second-generation SsangYong Rexton was launched in the Philippines back in November of 2019. By September 2020 the model gets a minor refresh, giving it a new honeycomb grille and new headlights which were refinished in Titanium Grey. This Korean SUV is available in two variants, respectively, a 4x2 and 4x4 model. Under the hood, it retains the same powerful diesel engine that can be had with a 7-speed automatic transmission.
Platform, Chassis and Powertrain
Powering the SsangYong Rexton is a 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine that produces 179 hp and 420 Nm of torque. It rides on independent suspension front and rear. Stopping power comes from ventilated disc brakes found at the back and at the front. The Rexton can be had with either a front-engine rear-wheel-drive layout or a front-engine four-wheel-drive layout.
Chassis
Class
Midsize SUV
Body Style
5-Door Ladder-on-Frame SUV
Platform
Layout
Front Engine, Four-Wheel Drive
Front Engine, Rear-Wheel Drive
Platform
Unnamed SsangYong Body-on-Frame Platform
Powertrain
Engine
2.2 L e-XDI 220 I4-T
Power Output
179 hp, 420 Nm of torque
Transmission
7-Speed Automatic Transmission with Drive Mode Selection
Driving Performance
Thanks to the Ssangyong Rexton's powerful engine the vehicle is spritely for its size, but as soon as you hit the upper portion of the rev range it runs out air quickly if you try and squeeze every bit of power out of it. The Korean SUV has a lot of usable power. The transmission does an excellent job of balancing this power and handles upshifts and downshifts smoothly. The vehicle does, however, lack paddle shifters but built-in switch to shift mechanism can be unintuitive to use. Depending on the variant the Rexton can come with either 20 or 18-inch wheels these paired with a multi-link suspension make for a decent ride.
The SsangYong Rexton handles well. it can take a corner at speed without a problem and turning at speed is also comfortable. The suspension has tendencies to lean in respectably during maneuvering. The chassis doesn't fling itself from side to side, but it remains composed even during tight cornering.
Technology Features
The SsangYong Rexton features an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen display in both of its variants. Its head unit comes capable of smartphone mirroring via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Sound is sent through a 6-speaker system in both variants of the Korean SUV. The range-topping 4x4 also comes with other convenience features like an LCD gauge cluster and a smart power tailgate. This SUV also features front and rear proximity sensors as well as a backup camera that makes parking a breeze. The refreshed Rexton, on the other hand, introduces its new smart key fob, which enables the owner to activate the headlights and operate the tailgate via the remote. That feature, however, is exclusive to the 4x4 variant.
Exterior
As mentioned, the updated SsangYong Rexton features a new honeycomb grille along with new headlights which were refinished in Titanium Grey. This SUV could either come with HID or Halogen projector headlight, depending on the variant they purchase. Chrome accents can also be found on either side of the housings adding a bit more flare to the front of the vehicle.
On the Rexton's side can be found indents giving the vehicle a look of restrained muscle on either side ready to burst out. Repeaters can also be found on the sides of each power-folding side-mirror. a chrome strip can also be found boring all the vehicle's windows. Roof rails are also present on the vehicle.
At the rear of the vehicle, a pair of LED taillights can be seen on either side. These come in the form of crab claws that encompass the reverse and signal lights of the SsangYong Rexton. At the bottom of each taillight and just above the rear bumper are the rear fog lights. More accent lines can be seen on the tailgate of the Rexton giving it a more chiseled look. One last touch of chrome can be seen on the tailgate that runs between each taillight. The Korean SUV's bumper comes in a black on black combination with the diffuser coming in a darker shade of black. To break the black bumper and the body color of the vehicle a chrome accent strip that runs between both until the rear fog lights further give emphasis to the rear of the vehicle.
Interior
The interior of the refreshed Rexton is available in either a black or brown theme with a wood accent found in the middle of the dashboard. Those front two seats on the 4x4 trim comes with power adjustability. Apart from the seats, the Nappa brown leather can also be found on the dashboard just under the wood accent, giving the cabin a more upmarket feel. While the base 4x2 gets a simpler black leatherette upholstery which still looks and feels nice to the touch.
Safety
The SsangYong Rexton with its sizes comes with a couple of standard features. These include airbags for both the passenger and driver, ABS with EBD, brake assist, immobilizer, security alarm, stability control, electronic door locks, speed-sensing door locks, and ISOFIX anchors for the second row. For added safety and convenience the SsangYong Rexton also has cruise control, front parking sensors, rear parking sensors, and a power outlet found on the center console.
The Rexton doesn't have an ASEAN NCAP rating as of date.
Pros & Cons
What you might like about the SsangYong Rexton is that it has a well designed and done well interior. It also has a frugal diesel engine. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are present in the vehicle making smartphone integration easy.
What you might not like about the Rexton is that for the 4x4 variant, the 20-inch wheels will hamper riding comfort. For the interior, there are piano black plastics everywhere making these interior bits easily scratchable. The vehicle could do well with more safety features.
The SsangYong Rexton in the Philippines received an update in the form of a new face, some small updates and a big addition in the form of a 5-year preventative maintenance plan and a 5-year warranty.
