Ssangyong Tivoli 1.5 Deluxe (A) Facelift Review

With international rivals ranging from the budget-friendly Dacia Duster to the upcoming and provocatively-styled Nissan Juke, Ssangyong's compact crossover offering can no longer rely on simple affordability or quirky styling to convince buyers to the relatively unknown marque.

Luckily, the facelifted Tivoli arrives with fangs and claws at the ready to fend for the honour of the double-dragon brand.

With sharpened claws

I know the idea of a handsome-looking Ssangyong is enough to induce cognitive dissonance in many, but scroll through the gallery below before you scoff.

The new car now sports LED head lights and integrated fog lights to sharpen up the front, while a gloss black piece on the C-pillar gives the Tivoli that 'floating roof' effect so coveted by the Japanese manufacturers.

Our test car also came fitted with the optional 18-inch rims and Orange Pop paint, which work well to bring out those massive rear haunches and highlight that chunky aesthetic that makes cars like the Suzuki Jimny and Land Rover Defender so likeable.

A fire-breathing monster

The refreshed looks are backed with newfound performance as well. A new turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine now packs 161bhp, upgrading the Tivoli so that it has the locally ubiquitous Toyota C-HR and Honda HR-V beaten for sheer output.

But even more impressive is the fact that the new engine develops its maximum 260Nm of torque from only 1,500rpm, and from behind the driver's seat it feels like it. Steady progress through traffic is guaranteed even with only the lightest pressure on the accelerator pedal.

You will, however, want to keep use of the accelerator pedal limited to gentle prodding, as that engine rumble soon evolves into an uncivilised racket once you climb above 3,000rpm. Our test car was also found prone to occasional hesitation which could be attributed to an insensitive throttle of sorts.

No need to train this dragon

No matter once you're on the go, though, as the ride in the Tivoli is respectable. A softly sprung setup means that gentle undulations do little to disturb the drive and make highway cruises a real pleasure.

And while we're on the topic of high speed, the vague steering gives precious little in the way of feedback. That said, its surprisingly accurate nature does well in assuring you get the driving job done from point to point in a fuss-free manner.

Over broken surfaces, however, those 18-inch rims transmit sharper edges from the road into the cabin. Shoppers looking for a cossetting ride in their SUV will do well to sacrifice good looks and opt for the 16-inch rims instead.

In the belly of the beast

Step inside and the first thing that strikes you is how spacious the Tivoli is.

Head and kneeroom is generous enough to be evocative of Ssangyong's long history of making heavy vehicles. The 427-litre boot has two separate compartments under its floor, handy for storing any items that are prone to roll about or that deserve a little discretion.

But industrially finished the cabin is not. High-gloss black plastics finish multiple points throughout the interior, including the infotainment surrounds, air-conditioning controls, gear selector and the top of the door card armrests, lending the entire cabin an upmarket ambiance.

With Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility, the new central 8.0-inch infotainment display is intuitive to use and delivers beautiful graphics, but the 10.25-inch instrument cluster on the Deluxe spec is more accomplished, with two primary options for display format, including a simplified one that reduces the display to primarily feature your speed in the middle.

Leaving the instrument cluster in the options menu also reveals a third, 'hidden' display option that has your speedometer and tachometer displayed through vertical 'scrolls' that aid in maximising real estate on the cluster for selecting your preferred options while on the move.

Those with the most fidgety of fingers will also be pleased to know that the responsiveness of the instrument cluster to inputs from the steering wheel buttons easily has those from premium marques beat.

The tail end

The facelifted Tivoli packs many of the features shoppers in the segment are going to be looking for: Generous interior space, a reasonable ride and a quality infotainment unit. That it now also comes with a decent turn of speed with prices starting from only $99,888, (as of press time) ought to make it the stuff of legends.