Ssangyong Tivoli a perfect mini SUV for middle class family
SsangYong Tivoli is a decent choice if you want comfortable and family-oriented driving on a small budget. It significantly outperforms other compact SUVs such as the Vauxhall Mocha X and Ford EcoSport price, yet offers its cheaper interior and bouncy ride quality.
From the outside, the Tivoli - by SsangYong standards - is a fairly good car. The front grille, headlights and fog lights are all smooth, while the rear is angled like a transformer and looks like the future. The 16-inch steel wheels found on the base-level SE trim look a bit ridiculous when paired with the larger body, but upgrading to the 18-inch alloys on the ELX version will fix it quickly.
Inside, Tivoli is a mixed bag. First of all, the space in the completely redesigned cabin is not great. The Tivoli can easily accommodate a family of four, surpassing the Moka and Nissan Juke. Storage is also very generous: the Tivoli's 423-liter boot surpasses the juke and its 354-liter, with the Renault Captur 455-liter and everything else.
However, the problem with the interior is the quality of the materials. At first glance, the plastics on the dashboard and doors are passable, but no further scrutiny is needed to detect some bad feelings. As Tivoli's dash and doors go down, the quality drops significantly.
With Tivoli you get what you pay for. For a family of four, it's an affordable, spacious, decent SUV, but the suspension and interior can't be compared to their favorite alternatives - Matt Watson (Carvo expert)
In terms of price, the infotainment features within Tivoli are generous. Even the basic trim comes with a radio that standardizes the iPhone and Bluetooth connectivity, but with the ELX trim you get a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the range-topping Ultimate models add built-in sat-tongue. Safety features are also abundant as all versions come with front, side and curtain airbags, autonomous braking, automatic door locks and forward collision alerts.
Ssangyong is known for its off-road vehicles, but its entry level Tivoli is only two-wheel drive. It's like running a potato salad - it's comfortable enough, but not exciting. You have a choice between the 1.6-liter petrol and diesel engines - the more powerful petrol is better for short trips, while the diesel is cheaper if you travel longer distances, officially with a capacity of around 50mpg. The Tivoli is available with a six-speed manual and automatic transmission options, while the latter is more economical, but both feel comfortable when changing gears.
The problem is that the Tivoli is louder than its other smaller SUVs at motorway speeds, and it's not particularly comfortable at low speeds, and its tight suspension does little to cover up road bumps. Still, in the city, Tivoli's smart steering system simplifies the steering wheel for parking and other movements, and Tivoli's elevated ride height aids visibility, giving you more confidence to pass through traffic and slot into parking spaces. This elevation means that it is easier to push the child seats behind you.
Therefore, it offers very good small SUVs to drive and a lot of great interiors in terms of quality. However, if space, rock-bottom price and high quality equipment are your top priorities, it is worth looking into the Ssangyong Tivoli. If that's you, check out our Ssangyong Tivoli Deals.
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