Used Ssangyong Tivoli 2015-present review

A number of car brands are only just getting into the SUV market, but Ssangyong has been producing hardcore off-roaders for many years. This additional experience ought to give the Tivoli an advantage over small SUV rivals such as the Kia Soul, Suzuki Vitara and Renault Captur.

The engine range consists of either a 126bhp 1.6-litre petrol or a 113bhp 1.6-litre diesel. Both engines can be found with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, but only the automatic comes with three driving modes: Eco, Power and Winter. You can also have your Tivoli with front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive if you go for a diesel model. Most small SUVs are front-wheel drive only, so this counts in the Ssangyong’s favour if you need the extra traction.

Trim-wise, all models get air conditioning, cruise control, 16in alloy wheels and Bluetooth connectivity. Mid-range EX versions have leather seats, dual-zone climate control, a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system, a reversing camera and forward collision alert. Step up to ELX for sat-nav, automatic lights and wipers, front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance and traffic sign recognition. Ultimate models have diamond-cut alloy wheels and heated and cooled front seats.

To drive, the Tivoli is one for those with a relaxed driving style, because sporty handling is not on the cards, even with selectable modes for the steering. The helm doesn’t give you much feedback, but it feels most natural in its Comfort mode, which is light for parking and slightly heavier at speed, rather than in Sport, which feels artificially weighted. The front of the car can push wide fairly quickly if you try to drive with enthusiasm. though. Meanwhile, the ride is comfortable at higher speeds but can be caught out by large bumps and potholes, which tend to send a jarring thud through to the interior.

Space is on the Tivoli’s side, too, because there’s plenty of rear seat room – good news for those who need to transport taller children or adults on a regular basis. You can also get a pushchair in the boot should you need to, although the loading height of the luggage area could be quite an obstacle for some. Front seat occupants sit up nice and high with a good view ahead, but the rear pillars are quite thick and can block your view. If you get a mid-range EX car, you do get a reversing camera to help you out. Top-spec ELX and Ultimate cars add front and rear parking sensors.

The cheapest Tivoli starts at around £6000 for a 2015 1.6-litre petrol with an average to high mileage. Increase your budget to between £8000 and £10,000 and you’ll have your pick of 2017 1.6-litre diesel examples in mid-range EX specification that have covered an average mileage for the year. If you fancy something from 2018 and with the balance of its manufacturer’s warranty, a Tivoli with 10,000 miles or less on it can be found for between £11,000 and £13,000.

While it's relatively inexpensive to buy, the Tivoli isn’t necessarily that cheap to run.

Unlike the downsized turbo petrol engines that are offered in many of its small SUV rivals, the Tivoli has a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre engine that needs to be revved to get the best out of it, and that hurts fuel economy. The manual version has an official (NEDC) average of 44.1mpg and £155 road tax, while the automatic version drops down to 39.2mpg and costs a wallet-wilting £230 a year in tax. Even the thirstiest Renault Captur manages more than 50mpg and costs a relatively modest £120 to tax.

The diesel is the one to go for if you want low running costs, because a front-wheel-drive manual version has an average of 65.7mpg and scoots into the £30-a-year tax bracket. A diesel four-wheel drive auto is a bit more costly to run, with 47.9mpg average economy and £195 for tax.

It’s worth remembering that if you buy a Tivoli registered after 1 April 2017, it will cost you £140 per year to tax, regardless of which engine you go for, because of changes in the road tax system.

Servicing your Tivoli won’t be quite as easy as it would be for one of its more mainstream rivals if you elect to stay within the dealer network. This is because there are still parts of the UK (such as Scotland and Wales) that don’t have many Ssangyong dealers in them. There’s a fair spread of authorised agents in England who can look after your car for routine maintenance or if anything goes wrong.

If you mostly drive in the city, you ought to consider the 1.6-litre petrol to avoid DPF issues. We would recommend the diesel, however, because it’s nicer to use than the petrol alternative. The petrol tends to whine quite a bit at higher revs and the throttle on automatic versions is rather sharp and takes a bit of getting used to. The extra low-down torque of the diesel makes it more relaxing to drive.

The mid-range EX is the pick of the trims, because it adds plenty of additional luxuries to the standard Tivoli and represents good value. However, there are plenty of top-spec ELX models out there, so if you can find one of those for the same money as an EX, you’ll be getting a good deal, especially when you consider all the safety tech top-of-the-range Tivolis get.

Our favourite Ssangyong Tivoli: 1.6 diesel EX

The Ssangyong Tivoli generally undercuts its rivals, but often this is only by about £1000. When you consider the additional expense of running some versions of the Tivoli over its alternatives, that saving will be eaten into.

It might seem a little bit smaller than the Tivoli, but the Renault Captur makes clever use of the space it has thanks to its sliding rear seats. Most models sit in low tax bands, making it cheap to run.

Small SUVs aren’t usually that much fun to drive, but the Suzuki Vitara is the exception, particularly when it comes equipped with the nippy turbocharged 1.4-litre Boosterjet engine. Like the Tivoli, you can have four-wheel drive to assist you in slippery conditions.

If you like the size of the Tivoli, try a Kia Soul, because it’s equally spacious on the inside. The dashboard is tastefully finished with higher-quality materials and it feels a bit nicer to spend time in.

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