Comparison of crossovers SsangYong Kyron or SsangYong Actyon

In Russia, crossovers of the SsangYong brand are clearly underestimated, although it is this South Korean company that has specialized in the production of off-road cars for a very long time, since 1965. However, thanks to a reasonable pricing policy and the transfer of assembly to our country, the brand's popularity has grown significantly, and since this automaker has two approximately identical SUV models, it would be interesting to compare them with each other.

Technical features of the models

To compare the technical characteristics, we chose four-wheel drive models with two-liter power units of comparable power, but the Actyon has a gasoline engine, and the Kyron has a diesel engine. There are differences in transmissions, Actyon is equipped with a six-speed manual, Kyron is equipped with a six-speed automatic.

As you can see, Kyron is noticeably larger, although it is based on the Actyon platform.

Exterior

The appearance of the SsangYong Kyron cannot be called typical for an SUV class car. The crossover looks especially strange from the stern side: as if a massive body rests on a wide block of light optics. The profile also has many atypical features, the main of which can be called the appearance characteristic of station wagons, with an elongated rear end and a disproportionately short front. The car is noticeably narrowed in front, which probably should indicate its good aerodynamic performance, but for a crossover, such a characteristic can hardly be considered appropriate.

In addition, because of the massive stern, the car looks heavy and clumsy. The front is also a mixture of styles, shapes and sizes. The typically Asian slanting look of the head optics is combined with the unusual shape of the grille, the lower part of which is framed by a strongly protruding trim. In addition, the wipers sit so deeply on the bonnet that the absence of unnecessary details in the windshield area is perceived as a manifestation of ascetic minimalism, which does not go well with the saturated lower part of the front end.

After restyling, the Actyon also became more modern and acquired a greater personality, although most of the changes affected only the front of the car. The pre-styled version was so inexpressive that, leaving it in a filled parking lot, you would have looked for it for a long time among the same type and faceless cars, but the latest generation of Actyon finally got rid of this shortcoming. However, the dimensions of the car remained unchanged, and they are much inferior to the competitor.

A strip of LED running lights appeared on the head optics unit, the radiator grille became larger, the bumper acquired an outgrowth, which can be called a striking stylistic feature of the SUV. The profile view has changed slightly, so even owners of old and new Actyons can confuse cars of the same color.

From the point of view of appearance, we can confidently say that the Kyron looks better than the Actyon, but both crossovers have a decent exterior, so there are no particular complaints about the figures in our comparison.

Salon and trunk

A very different mindset takes over when you get inside SsangYong Kyron. There are no original ideas here, everything is organized in a standard and Spartan way. The dimensions of the crossover are such that there is more than enough space for five people of any size. And there will even be space for pets. The driver's seat is adjustable in every conceivable direction, including lumbar support. The back sofa is moderately soft and comfortable, and even here the seat back is adjustable in three directions.

It folds strictly parallel to the luggage compartment, forming a perfectly flat area. But even with the backrest not folded, the boot volume is impressive - 625 liters is enough for many purposes. True, the floor level is high, but underneath it was possible to place boxes with tools that are already included in the basic package.

An interesting decision was made regarding the dashboard - it is molded from a single piece of plastic, which, in theory, should significantly reduce the level of squeaks. The ergonomics of the placement of keys and control buttons are not entirely usual, but getting used to it is quick and painless. For example, a stand with buttons is located near the right knee, and it does not interfere with the leg and access to the control elements is free and convenient. But there is also a drawback - the gearshift wheel is not fixed and can be scrolled randomly. The leather steering wheel is very comfortable.

In Actyon, the interior is more modern, inside it successfully combines inserts for aluminum, wood and black plastic. Sound insulation has improved, as well as finishing materials. A seven-inch multimedia system monitor has appeared, the deflectors have acquired a more intricate shape. The display shows a lot of useful information issued by the on-board computer.

Although the Actyon is 20cm smaller than the Kyron, the wheelbase difference is much smaller, so the cabin is roomy at both the front and rear. The most inconvenient place (however, as in most other cars) is the center of the rear seat. The backrest is also adjustable here, but only the angle of inclination, and then within small limits. There is a heated rear sofa, but there is no deflector for blowing the rear passengers, as well as a 12-volt outlet.

Trunk volume is expected to be less, but 485 liters for a crossover is a good indicator, and with the sofa folded down, the luggage compartment becomes almost three times as large - 1310 liters.

Engines and transmissions

Comparison of Kyron and Actyon in terms of engine range is not entirely correct - Actyon does not have diesel engines, and cars are currently supplied to Russia only with a 149-horsepower two-liter power unit.

At SsangYong Kyron, the main one is a two-liter 141-horsepower turbodiesel with a direct injection system, but if you need a more high-torque engine, then you can choose a 2.3-liter gasoline engine that develops 150 horsepower.

Both engines are aggregated with a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, while the Actyon has only an automatic transmission in its arsenal.

Dynamics, fuel consumption

SsangYong Kyron, driving 100 kilometers in mixed mode, consumes 7.4 liters of diesel fuel with a manual transmission and 8.7 liters of fuel with an automatic transmission on a two-liter diesel engine. A more powerful gasoline engine and consumes more - 10.6 liters of gasoline with a manual transmission. For an almost two-ton car, this is, in principle, quite good performance.

The maximum speed of the vehicle is 170 km / h (2.0 / MT, 2.3 / AT).

Actyon accelerates to a hundred in 10.8 seconds, while the consumption of the crossover in the combined cycle is: for an automatic transmission - 6.6 liters. for 100 km., for mechanical - 6.2 liters. Despite the high center of mass, Actyon demonstrates good agility for cars of this class at traffic lights, although its maximum speed is less than that of the competitor - 165 km / h.

Controllability and cross-country ability

SsangYong Kyron, even equipped with a manual transmission, in the city does not show the most impressive performance. When driving at a speed not exceeding 60 km / h, each hole on the road will give a tangible push to the 5th point to the driver, and the rear passengers will even slightly toss. Considering the state of the roads in our cities, it can be understood that you will not get pleasure from such a ride. However, the Korean's accelerating dynamics is not bad, as is the maneuverability. Braking performance is also great.And even connecting a rear-wheel drive has practically no effect on the car's handling.

But at speed, minor defects in the roadway are no longer felt. The Kyron runs high-speed corners with confidence, with minimal roll. The car keeps a straight line confidently, slight yaw appears only after 150 km / h. Noise isolation is good, although a whistle is heard in the car from under the bottom and from the rear-view mirrors, but only at an exorbitant speed.

In terms of off-road performance, the SsangYong Kyron has them at their best. It overcomes steep hills with confidence, when the "downhill" function is on, you will not be threatened with slipping and loss of control in wet areas. And even the soil that has become limp after the rain for the crossover is not a hindrance, in many respects - thanks to the wide rubber with a low profile and high ground clearance.

Actyon's ground clearance is 3 centimeters less, but this does not prevent the SUV from demonstrating equally good off-road characteristics - its overhang geometry is suitable, and the clutch lock mode provides the ability to use rear-wheel drive as needed, including forcibly.

True, this mode should be used only at low speeds (up to 40 km / h), otherwise the clutch and clutch begin to burn, and you will immediately feel it due to the appearance of a specific smell. If you neglect this, you can be left without all-wheel drive.

But comparing Actyon with a real SUV is not the best idea: with a small clearance, deep off-road conditions cannot be overcome. With handling, the crossover has no problems, and large and small bumps are swallowed by the independent suspension effortlessly.

Security systems and assistants

Kyron already has frontal Airbags and ABS in the minimum configuration. The ESP system, including the ASR / ARP / BAS / HDC subsystems, appears starting with the Comfort + configuration.

The Actyon has only a driver's airbag and ABS / EBD systems in the initial configuration. The second, for the front passenger, appears in the Original configuration, the front side PBs - in the Comfort modification. ESP / BAS / ARP / HSA systems are available only in top-end configurations.

Options and prices

Since production of the Kyron was discontinued in 2014, you are unlikely to be able to find a new car. A car produced in 2014 with a mileage of 50 thousand, a 2.3-liter gasoline engine and an automatic transmission costs about 800 thousand rubles, as the mileage and age increase and, depending on the equipment, the cost decreases in arithmetic progression.

Actyon in the basic Welcome package with manual transmission and front-wheel drive costs 1.170 million rubles. There is already an auto-air conditioner, two pillows, full power accessories with heated mirrors. The top version Premium costs 1.7 million rubles.

Which to choose: Kyron or Actyon

If you need a roomy crossover with good off-road characteristics, in which you can make forays into nature, then the most suitable candidate is the SsangYong Kyron. But you have to come to terms with the fact that you get a used car.

If this option does not suit you, or you want to drive mainly around the city, with minimal fuel costs, your choice is the Actyon, which looks more interesting and is relatively inexpensive.