Photo: Catalin Garmacea
While Ssangyong may have renamed the Tivoli to Tivolan for the Chinese market, the model we met in Shanghai is technically identical to the car one sold in other parts of the world.
We obviously expected this after seeing the press photos, but when you have the subcompact crossover in front of you, it’s even more amazing to see just how far this has come from the SsangYong design we used to know.
Nevertheless, the cabin space is decent, even in the back and the seats seem to offer reasonable comfort. Heading over to the luggage compartment, the loading height offers good access, while the 423-liter (14.94 cubic feet) boot is among the most spacious in the segment.
While we’re looking forward to reviewing the Tivoli by summer, most of its rivals pack downsized engines that promise significantly more torque thanks to the turbocharging. Nonetheless, the atmospheric engine used here does reduce mechanical complexity and therefore maintenance costs.
As for the gearbox, you can choose between a pair of six-speed units. The first is a manual, while the second is an Aisin-supplied automatic, the same unit you can find on a MINI. SsangYong also offers optional all-wheel drive.
The Tivolan may have changed its designation for the Chinese market, but it won’t escape the rivals it has to face in Europe. We are referring to vehicles such as the Renault Captur and the Peugeot 2008. Still, on its South Korean home market, the Tivoli achieved a fifth of its first-year sales target in one month, so the company has great expectations for China.
The cabin
Once you climb aboard though, you still feel certain quality drawbacks. Still, superior equipment levels get a 7-inch touchscreen display, as well as an adjustable instrument cluster that offers six shades of illumination.Nevertheless, the cabin space is decent, even in the back and the seats seem to offer reasonable comfort. Heading over to the luggage compartment, the loading height offers good access, while the 423-liter (14.94 cubic feet) boot is among the most spacious in the segment.
1.6 power
The South Korean automaker is now owned by Indian company Mahindra, which has developed a range of 1.6-liter petrol and diesel units. Given the specifics of the Chinese market, we can only talk about the first. This is a naturally-aspirated unit that delivers 126 hp at 6,000 rpm and 157 Nm of torque (116 lb-ft) at 4,600 rpm.While we’re looking forward to reviewing the Tivoli by summer, most of its rivals pack downsized engines that promise significantly more torque thanks to the turbocharging. Nonetheless, the atmospheric engine used here does reduce mechanical complexity and therefore maintenance costs.
As for the gearbox, you can choose between a pair of six-speed units. The first is a manual, while the second is an Aisin-supplied automatic, the same unit you can find on a MINI. SsangYong also offers optional all-wheel drive.
The Tivolan may have changed its designation for the Chinese market, but it won’t escape the rivals it has to face in Europe. We are referring to vehicles such as the Renault Captur and the Peugeot 2008. Still, on its South Korean home market, the Tivoli achieved a fifth of its first-year sales target in one month, so the company has great expectations for China.
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