Now officially relaunched in the UK, the brand new Korando is no longer the ugly duckling that was the original model, and SsangYong is pinning its hopes of a major revival in the UK on the new crossover

Words: Hils Everitt

It’s been many years since the ‘ugly bug’, as some would have it, SsangYong Korando was here in the UK; you see the odd one still around, but it never sold well, despite being a decent on-road drive and excellent off-roader. We were fans here at 4x4 and were sorry at its passing. Its styling didn’t appeal to many, so it’s no surprise that SsangYong has reinvented its 4x4 presence in the UK with a 21st century-friendly version that fits better into the smooth lines and rounded edges of the modern crossover market.

The sad thing about the Korando is that its 4x4 prowess, naturally, has now been dumbed right down – if you want low ratio from a SsangYong these days you have to buy the less ‘silf-like’ Rexton. There are 2WD and on-demand 4WD versions of Korando. The 4WD does disappoint somewhat after you nestled into the comfy leather seats having previously admired the exterior styling.

Welcome to the 2012 4x4 Of The Year group test – our prestigious and highly rated review of the best 4x4s on the UK market.

Words: Kev Baldwin, Hils Everitt and Nigel Fryatt
Main photography: Wayne Mitchelson
Additional photography by Hils Everitt, Phil Weeden, Matt Carson and Nigel Fryatt

Last month we gathered the best SUV/crossovers together, but this month we get far more serious with proper off-roaders. We have no less than 24 vehicles ranging from the budget Suzuki Jimny right up to the glamorous Range Rover, which tops the scales at over £80,000, and the increasingly impressive Porsche Cayenne. In between we have the newcomers like the Range Rover Evoque, the Compass and Grand Cherokee from Jeep, matching up against some established regulars from the likes of Toyota, Suzuki, Audi, BMW, Mitsubishi and more, including for the first time in this magazine's 4x4 Of The Year, the Skoda Yeti.

This year, we have split the vehicles into four groups, to get four class winners for a final battle for the coveted top prize. Our team of experts reviewed every vehicle using the same criteria; off-road ability, on-road competence, value for money, fit for purpose and gave their personal views on just how desirable each model is. All the scores were added together and then averaged to iron out any personal bias, or wayward scoring! The results, shown here with each vehicle and on our final table on page 72, is therefore an overall percentage figure. As you can see, in many cases, it was a close run challenge and led to much discussion among the test team. But we finally managed to agree on the four class winners, and then the ‘discussions’ really began as to just which would take this year’s crown…
For all pick-up enthusiasts, fear not, but due to lack of space they do not make it in this issue and will have their own group test in next month’s issue.

‘Crossover’, 'soft-roader’, ‘SUV’ call them what you will, but this is the fastest growing sector of the 4x4 world and with extreme weather conditions becoming the norm, more and more drivers are joining the ranks of 4x4 ownership at this lower capability level. If you’re looking to buy one there is a wide choice. To help with that decision we rate the BMW X3, Ford Kuga, Kia Sportage, Nissan Juke, Toyota’s RAV4 & Urban Cruiser and the VW Tiguan

Words: Hils Everitt  Photography: Wayne Mitchelson and Hils Everitt

Back in 1994 Toyota launched the RAV4 to much acclaim. It was a great little off-roader with low-range gearing and impressive articulation and in a little world of its own. Fast forward almost 12 years and we have a booming ‘soft-roader’ market to which the RAV now belongs, as low-range gearing, and those ultra hi-tech, all-terrain electronic systems are now left to the bigger, more sophisticated boys.

Many other manufacturers have jumped onto the bandwagon, and there is a healthy choice from which to pick your 4x4 that will get you home during the cold winter months in safety, but also provide a comfortable long-haul, on-road drive plus carry a few passengers and their kit. Intelligent four-wheel drive systems are now de rigeur and so adapt to the conditions, which often negates any input necessary from the driver; which is probably why they appeal to newcomers to our 4x4 world.

Ranging from just under the £20,000 mark to just over £30,000, there is a lot of space in between. But what does the market offer up for that, and depending on your budget, what is the ideal model for you? We pitched seven of the best on the market against each other, to help you decide.

It’s big, black and booming. Meet an ex-military Limited Hummer H1 that was driven overland from the Middle East to the UK before undergoing a transformation to take on the tough world of desert racing. Introducing… Aretha

Words: Hils Everitt

An ex-military Hummer H1 is a pretty rare sight here in the UK but, in recent years, I have come across two. Both black, both ex-US military, and both owned by huge enthusiasts; but that’s where the similarity ends.

The first one was featured in the magazine in 2009 and was shiny, pristine, and extremely under-used. It spent most of its time on the owner’s driveway, but was a magnificent specimen. The second is, as you can see, also black, but filthy, well used and an equally fine example, albeit in a very different way.