Back in April of this year, SsangYong introduced an improved version of the Rexton 4x4 to the market, with refreshed styling and engine power. It’s a change from the old Rexton, but the overall look is similar. Even though the Rexton is a solid-looking 4x4, it is still not considered to be in the Toyota Land Cruiser grade in terms of size and performance. However, it’s an option for those who drive, or consider driving, a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento due to its size, performance and price.

The good news is that SsangYong joined the commercial five-seater market with the new Rexton W. That has been an attractive competitive bonus for the Korean brand, which made a return to the Irish market only 12 months ago.

I took the Rexton for a drive some weeks ago, to get a feel for what the new version has to offer. The changes include a smaller, and slightly less powerful, but cleaner engine. The Rexton’s torque is higher and its fuel economy has improved significantly.

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This new engine is a full SsangYong model and brings better driving quality in terms of smoothness and economy, compared with the older Mercedes-Benz-derived version. It’s so much more pleasant to drive and the automatic version that I tested has good acceleration. The gearbox is smooth and effortless when combined with the switchable 4x4 system. While it is only a five-speed automatic, that didn’t make much of a difference out on the road.

The extra gearbox ratios might have helped to bring down the fuel economy figures a little. They are better than those of the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento, but only marginally better than some of the bigger 4x4s, such as the Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover Discovery and Mitsubishi Pajero.

My test would indicate driving close to 1,000km on a full 80-litre tank of diesel and that worked out at about 12.5km/litre (35mpg). That’s still a good economy performance for a 4x4 like the Rexton, and an automatic one at that.

From a towing and off-road angle, the Rexton is rated differently than in the past. The solid chassis structure was retained to give it good off-road ability. The towing rating is 2.6t in Ireland (3t in Britain) – lower than the rating for the older model.

The styling is a good deal better, even the 18-inch alloys make a difference to this 4x4. The interior styling was also upgraded and SsangYong has fitted leather-effect seats for better durability and easy cleaning. While the seats don’t slide, there is reasonably good legroom in the back. There is also a proper safety mesh-type bulkhead behind the rear seats, to emphasise the commercial status.

The Rexton’s controls are grouped around a biggish steering wheel. I found the speed dial numbers difficult to read in modest daylight due to the materials used, and that frightened me. Everything else, other than the air-conditioning, was easy and practical to use.

The Rexton is a part-time 4x4, which means that for most of the time you are using two-wheel drive. There’s a simple switch on the dash to engage four-wheel drive and the lower speed ratios for field work. That switch can be done at low speeds and you don’t need to stop.

There are plenty of safety features, including front and side airbags, hill descent control and stability control. The Rexton does not have a Euro NCAP safety rating, but it does have ISOfix features for the rear seats and, for me, the bulkhead is a great safety feature on its own. And there’s a space-saver spare wheel tucked under the outer floor.

The entry price is competitive at €38,329. If you have a VAT registration then it’s even more attractive, because it can be treated as a commercial vehicle. That also carries the benefit of lower annual road tax. The difference here is significant: €333 per year versus €1,200 if the Rexton is treated as a car.

That aspect of the Rexton needs careful thought, because the option is not available for the Hyundai Santa Fe or the Kia Sorento, but it is for the Ford Kuga, Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover Discovery and Mitsubishi Pajero.

The Rexton package is a competitive one for those who can take advantage of the tax benefits. This is a practical 4x4, with a more economical performance than some of the bigger 4x4s. It has to prove itself in terms of depreciation on the market, as long as the offer remains competitive.

SsangYong Rexton W

Engine 2.0-litre

Engine power 155bhp

0-100km/hr 10.5 seconds

Economy 13.5km/litre

Fuel tank capacity 80 litres

CO2 emissions 196g/km

Road tax band C (€333)

Main service 20,000 km

Towing rating 2,600kg

Warranty Five years

Entry price €38,329

NI price £21,995