SsangYong Tivoli review

Driving position

Finding a good driving position is easy. You sit high, with a good commanding view of the road in all directions thanks to the thin roof pillars. 

SsangYong knew it needed to offer a lot to win buyers to the unfamiliar badge, so equipment levels are high.

Tech and features

The Tivoli has a similarly bold appearance on the inside as the out. 

From the flat-bottomed steering wheel to the colour touchscreen, there’s a youthful vibe. 

If that’s not bright enough for you, some versions are fitted with a jazzy red leather interior (including the seats, wheel and doors), or with contrasting interior trim panels to brighten the cabin. 

For a car that’s at the budget end of the market, there’s a surprisingly classy, upmarket feel to the materials used.

The dashboard is tidy, thanks to a distinctive central console and neat instruments. The switches all feel robust and durable.  

It’s spacious, too. The rear seats in particular are roomier than most. Front seats are multi-adjustable.

Among older Tivolis, even the humblest were fitted with cruise control, keyless entry and Bluetooth.

Step up a trim level for heated leather seats and a seven-inch colour touchscreen. 

Top-spec versions added sat-nav, auto lights and wipers, and a keyless starting system. 

More recent versions came with further upgraded spec levels, including a bigger touchscreen and leather seats becoming standard across the range. 

Engines and power

Both the petrol and diesel Tivolis offer refined and smooth driving experiences.

Most versions are two-wheel-drive and have a manual gearbox. With its lightly weighted controls, the Ssangyong is easy to drive in town or out on the open road.

Handling and ride comfort

A ‘smart’ system allows drivers to select sport, normal or comfort levels of weighting to the steering. 

It’s basically like most modern crossovers, then.  

Older versions of the diesel models can come with four-wheel-drive for more grip on tricky surfaces, and both engines can be paired with an automatic gearbox. 

Fitted with the Ssangyong four-wheel-drive system, the Tivoli becomes a very competent off-roader capable of tackling some serious inclines and ruts. 

The 4WD system isn’t available on versions sold after 2020. 

Whatever age they are, all Tivolis are comfortable over bumpy surfaces.

The suspension smooths out most potholes. The car drives pretty quietly on the motorway too.  

Boot space

Lift the nice big tailgate and you’ll find the Tivoli offers a generous boot that will swallow everything for a weekend away. 

Fold down the rear seats to increase the space dramatically. Want even more? 

Since 2020, the XLV version has been available with a much bigger boot that rivals the largest load carriers in the class. 

Storage solutions

In addition, all Tivolis come with plenty of useful small stowage spaces around the cabin. And with seven airbags, it rates well in safety tests. 

The extensive options list before 2020 means some cars have been fitted with unusually upmarket extras.

Look out for older Tivolis with premium luxuries like a heated steering wheel or ventilated seats. 

Fuel economy

You have the choice of perky petrol engines with a fuel economy of around 35-40mpg or smooth, punchy diesels that are usually more economical. 

The two-wheel-drive diesel with manual gears and the stop-start system has the best official figures at 67mpg. 

Reliability

Other costs like tax and insurance should be roughly average for small crossovers. 

The Tivoli was sold new with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, which was extended to seven years in 2020.

Even if this has expired when you come to buy, it demonstrates Ssangyong’s confidence in its own reliability.