SsangYong Rexton

SsangYong Rexton: generations: what actually changed

Power per litre (hp ÷ litres from the listed cm³): 2.2 AT 202 hp = 93.6; 2.2 / 2.2 AT / 2.2 MT 181 hp = 83.9; 2.2 AT 178 hp = 82.5; 2.0 155 hp = 77.6; 2.0 AT 148 hp = 74.1; 2.8 AT = 71.8; 2.7 AT 186 hp = 69.0; 3.2 220 hp = 68.8; 2.7 AT 180 hp = 66.8; 2.3 150 hp on 2295 cm³ = 65.4; 2.7 163 hp = 60.5; 2.3 140 hp = 61.0; 2.9 AT 132 hp = 45.9; 2.9 120 hp = 41.8.

1 generation (2001-09-01–2008-06-30) is the widest engine menu: Gasoline 2.3 AT / 2.3 MT at 140 and 150 hp, Gasoline 2.8 AT 201 hp, Gasoline 3.2 MT 220 hp, Diesel 2.7 MT 163 hp, and four Diesel 2.9 AT / 2.9 MT at 120 or 132 hp. Front suspension is Independent, torsion; rear is Independent, spring. Tank is 80 L. Gross mass is 2550 kg on every version here. Clearance is 195 or 200 mm.

1 generation, restyling (2008-07-01–2012-06-30) keeps SUV 5-doors and the 80 L tank, switches the listed front axle to Independent, spring on these rows, and brings the 2.0 Diesel in four 2.0 AT flavours (148 hp AWD, 148 hp RWD, 155 hp AWD, 155 hp RWD) plus 2.7 MT 163 hp, three 2.7 AT (163 / 180 / 186 hp), 3.2 AT 220 hp, and Gasoline 2.3 MT / 2.3 AT 150 hp with Euro 4. Clearance is 200 mm on the 2.7/3.2 rows and 206 mm on the 2.0 and 2.3 rows.

1 generation, restyling 2 (2012-05-01–2017-02-28) overlaps the previous restyling by calendar (starts 2012-05-01 while restyling 1 runs to 2012-06-30). The tank drops from 80 L to 70 L. The 2.0 Diesel is now 155 hp in 2.0 MT AWD, 2.0 MT RWD, 2.0 AT RWD and 2.0 AT AWD. Two 2.7 AT sit side by side at 163 hp and 186 hp; the 186 hp car is the only first-generation row here with Independent, spring at the rear. A 2.2 AT 178 hp appears (2157 cm³, Front, transverse — layout of cylinders not measured, boost not measured, gears not measured, city/highway/mixed not measured, clearance not measured). 3.2 AT 220 hp remains.

2 generation (2017-03-01–2020-01-01) collapses the menu to one version: 2.2, 181 hp, 428 Nm, Automatic 7, AWD, 11.9 s, 185 km/h, mixed 7.6 L/100 km, 70 L, 199 g/km CO2, Euro 6, 2180 kg, 2960 kg gross, 215 mm clearance, Independent, spring both ends.

2 generation, restyling (2019-02-01–2024-12-31) overlaps 2 generation from 2019-02-01 to 2020-01-01. Same 2157 cm³ Diesel Inline 4 Turbo, Direct injection (direct), 215 mm, Independent, spring both ends. Five versions: 2.2 AT 181 hp RWD (7 gears), 2.2 MT 181 hp RWD, 2.2 MT 181 hp AWD, 2.2 AT 181 hp AWD (7 gears), 2.2 AT 202 hp AWD (8 gears). That is the only 8-speed Automatic in the whole Rexton file.

Engines and specs

Power per litre (hp ÷ litres from the listed cm³): 2.2 AT 202 hp = 93.6; 2.2 / 2.2 AT / 2.2 MT 181 hp = 83.9; 2.2 AT 178 hp = 82.5; 2.0 155 hp = 77.6; 2.0 AT 148 hp = 74.1; 2.8 AT = 71.8; 2.7 AT 186 hp = 69.0; 3.2 220 hp = 68.8; 2.7 AT 180 hp = 66.8; 2.3 150 hp on 2295 cm³ = 65.4; 2.7 163 hp = 60.5; 2.3 140 hp = 61.0; 2.9 AT 132 hp = 45.9; 2.9 120 hp = 41.8. The 202 hp 2.2 AT extracts 52 hp more from 2157 cm³ than the 150 hp 2.3 MT does from 2295 cm³.

Same name, different engines — do not mix them: two 2.7 AT in restyling 2 (163 vs 186 hp; 2 vs 4 valves per cylinder; 345 vs 402 Nm; dependent vs independent rear); three 2.7 AT in restyling 1 (163 / 180 / 186 hp); four 2.0 AT in restyling 1 (148 AWD, 148 RWD, 155 AWD, 155 RWD); two 2.0 MT and two 2.0 AT in restyling 2 (AWD vs RWD); two 2.3 MT at 140 hp (RWD vs AWD) plus 2.3 MT 150 hp; two 2.9 MT 120 hp (RWD 4 valves vs AWD 2 valves); two 2.9 AT (120 RWD vs 132 AWD); three 2.2 AT in restyling 2 (181 RWD, 181 AWD, 202 AWD).

Performance, mpg and economy

Fastest measured 0–100 km/h is 9.9 s: 3.2 MT in 1 generation (190 km/h) and 3.2 AT in both restylings of generation 1 (184 km/h). Next is 10.7 s on both restyling-2 2.2 AT AWD cars (181 hp and 202 hp) at 184 km/h. Then 11.3 s on restyling-2 2.7 AT 186 hp; 11.6 s on restyling 2.7 AT 186 hp, 2.7 AT 180 hp, 2.3 MT, 2.3 AT, and on generation-1 2.3 MT 150 hp; 11.9 s on restyling-2 2.2 AT 178 hp, generation-2 2.2, and restyling-2 2.2 AT 181 hp RWD. Slowest measured is 17.0 s on all three generation-1 2.9 120 hp cars (157–160 km/h). 2.7 AT 163 hp is 14.4 s in both restyling 1 and restyling 2 — 3.1 s slower than the 186 hp 2.7 AT in restyling 2, for 23 hp and 57 Nm less.

0–100 km/h is not measured on: restyling-2 2.0 MT RWD and 2.0 AT RWD; restyling 2.0 AT 148 hp (both drives), 2.0 AT 155 hp RWD; generation-1 2.3 MT 140 hp AWD, 2.3 AT 150 hp, 2.8 AT, 2.7 MT, 2.9 AT 132 hp; restyling-2 2.2 MT (both drives).

Highest listed top speed is 190 km/h (3.2 MT). Then 188 km/h (2.7 AT 180 hp). The 202 hp 2.2 AT is 184 km/h — 6 km/h below that 180 hp five-cylinder. Top speed is not measured on restyling 2.0 AT 148 hp both drives, 2.0 AT 155 hp RWD, and generation-1 2.9 AT 132 hp.

Lowest mixed consumption among measured rows is 7.2 L/100 km: restyling-2 2.0 MT RWD. 2.0 MT AWD is 7.3; 2.0 AT RWD is 7.3; restyling-2 2.0 AT AWD and restyling 2.0 AT 155 hp AWD are 7.6 — the same mixed figure as generation-2 2.2, restyling-2 2.2 MT RWD and 2.2 AT 181 hp AWD, but those 2.2 cars make 26 hp more. 2.2 AT 202 hp mixed 8.0 vs 7.6 on the 181 hp AWD Automatic: +0.4 L/100 km for +21 hp and +22 Nm. Worst mixed is 15.1 L/100 km on 2.8 AT; 3.2 AT restyling is 14.4; 3.2 AT restyling 2 is 14.2; 3.2 MT is 14.2. City on 3.2 AT restyling 2 is 19.3 L/100 km versus 8.9 on 2.0 MT — 10.4 L/100 km more in town for 65 extra hp. 2.7 AT 163 hp mixed 9.8 versus 2.7 MT 8.6 in restyling 2: the Automatic costs 1.2 L/100 km mixed and 1.0 s of 0–100 (14.4 vs 13.4) at the same 163 hp.

City/highway/mixed are not measured on restyling-2 2.2 AT 178 hp; restyling 2.0 AT 148 hp both drives and 2.0 AT 155 hp RWD; generation-1 2.9 AT 132 hp. CO2 is not measured on every first-generation row. On generation 2 it is 199 g/km (2.2). On restyling 2: 211 (2.2 AT 181 RWD and 2.2 AT 202), 199 (2.2 MT RWD and 2.2 AT 181 AWD), 204 (2.2 MT AWD). Eco class is Euro 6 on those second-generation rows, Euro 4 on restyling 2.3 MT / 2.3 AT, and not measured elsewhere.

Range arithmetic on the 70 L tank at mixed 7.6 L/100 km is 921 km; on 8.0 L/100 km, 875 km. The 80 L tank at mixed 7.6 is 1053 km; at 9.8 it is 816 km. Switching from 80 L (restyling 1) to 70 L (restyling 2) at the same 7.6 mixed cuts that range by 132 km.

Dimensions, weight and payload

Kerb mass spans 1815 kg (generation-1 2.3 rows and 2.7 MT; restyling 2.3 MT / 2.3 AT) to 2205 kg (restyling-2 2.2 AT 178 hp) and 2180 kg (generation-2 2.2 and restyling-2 2.2 AT AWD at 181 and 202 hp). Restyling-2 2.2 MT is 1975 kg — 205 kg lighter than the 2180 kg 2.2 AT AWD at the same 181 hp.

Kg per hp (kerb ÷ hp), where both are measured: 3.2 MT 1860/220 = 8.5; restyling-2 3.2 AT 1935/220 = 8.8; restyling 2.3 MT 1815/150 = 12.1; restyling-2 2.2 MT 1975/181 = 10.9; 2.2 AT 202 hp 2180/202 = 10.8; 2.2 AT 181 hp AWD 2180/181 = 12.0; restyling-2 2.7 AT 186 hp 2069/186 = 11.1; 2.0 MT RWD 1901/155 = 12.3; generation-1 2.9 AT 120 hp 1855/120 = 15.5; restyling-2 2.2 AT 178 hp 2205/178 = 12.4. The 202 hp diesel is 4.6 kg/hp heavier than the 220 hp 3.2 MT, but 4.7 kg/hp lighter than the 120 hp 2.9 AT.

Gross mass: 2550 kg on generation 1 and on restyling 2.3; 2760 kg on most restyling 1 and restyling 2 diesels; 2805 kg on 2.7 AT 180 hp; 2099 kg on restyling 2.7 AT 163 hp (payload 2099−1995 = 104 kg on that row — the smallest measured payload in the file); 2960 kg on generation-2 2.2, restyling-2 2.2 AT 178 hp and 2.2 AT 181 hp AWD; 2950 kg on 2.2 AT 202 hp; 2750 kg on 2.2 AT 181 hp RWD; 2830 kg on both 2.2 MT. Payload (gross − kerb) where both exist: 2.2 MT 855 kg; restyling-2 2.0 MT RWD 859 kg; generation-2 2.2 780 kg; 2.2 AT 202 hp 770 kg; generation-1 2.3 735 kg; 2.2 AT 181 hp RWD 697 kg; restyling-2 2.2 AT 178 hp 755 kg. Kerb and gross are not measured on restyling 2.0 AT 155 hp RWD.

Clearance: 215 mm on every second-generation row that lists it; 206 mm on restyling-2 (except 2.2 AT 178 hp, not measured) and on restyling 2.0/2.3; 200 mm on restyling 2.7/3.2 and several generation-1 rows; 195 mm on generation-1 AWD 2.3 / 2.7 MT / 2.9 AWD. The step from 195 mm to 215 mm is +20 mm.

Wheels are listed only as 235/75 R16 and 255/65 R18, and only on selected 2.0 rows. Elsewhere wheels are not measured. Front brakes Ventilated disc, rear Disc, on every version.

Reliability: what the spec sheet shows (not a fault list)

This catalogue does not record failure rates. What it does record: Euro 6 and a CO2 figure exist only from 2 generation onward; Euro 4 is listed only on restyling 2.3 MT / 2.3 AT; eco class is not measured on the other first-generation rows. Injection is named Distributed injection (multi-point) on the Gasoline engines and Direct injection (direct) on restyling-2 2.2 diesels; it is not measured on generation-1 and restyling diesels including 2.2. Rear suspension is Independent, spring on generation 1, on restyling 2.3, on restyling-2 2.7 AT 186 hp and 2.2 AT 178 hp, and on all of generation 2; it is Dependent, spring on the other restyling 1 and restyling 2 trucks. Compression is 22 on the 2.9 diesels versus 15.5 on the 2.2 diesels and 16.5 on the 2.0 diesels — a 6.5-point spread on Diesel rows, with not measured compression on several 2.7 rows that use 2 valves per cylinder.

Which version to choose

Buy the 202 hp 2.2 AT (2 generation, restyling) if you want the highest hp/L (93.6), the only 8-speed Automatic, 450 Nm, 10.7 s, Euro 6, 215 mm, and 770 kg payload. You pay 0.4 L/100 km mixed and 12 g/km CO2 versus the 181 hp 2.2 AT AWD at the same 2180 kg.

Buy the 181 hp 2.2 AT AWD if you want that same 10.7 s and 7.6 mixed / 199 g/km without the 202 hp tune. Versus generation-2 2.2 it is 1.2 s quicker at the same mixed 7.6 and the same 2180/2960 kg.

Buy 2.2 MT if mass matters: 1975 kg is 205 kg below the 2180 kg Automatic AWD. RWD mixed 7.6 / 199 g/km; AWD mixed 7.8 / 204 g/km — 0.2 L/100 km for AWD at the same kerb. 0–100 is not measured on either 2.2 MT.

Buy 2.2 AT 181 hp RWD if you do not need AWD: 2053 kg (127 kg below the AWD Automatic), mixed 8.0, 11.9 s (1.2 s slower than the AWD Automatic at the same 181 hp), gross 2750 kg.

Skip generation-2 only if you need a choice of gearbox: that generation is one 2.2.

Inside 1 generation, restyling 2, buy 2.7 AT 186 hp when you want first-generation diesel pull: 11.3 s (3.1 s faster than 2.7 AT 163 hp), 402 vs 345 Nm, independent rear, mixed 9.2 vs 9.8. It is 0.6 s slower than restyling-2 2.2 AT 181 hp AWD and uses 1.6 L/100 km more mixed, with no CO2 figure. 2.7 MT 163 hp is the middle: 13.4 s, mixed 8.6, 1991 kg.

Buy 2.0 MT RWD for the lowest mixed 7.2 L/100 km and 1901 kg; AWD 2.0 MT adds 59 kg and 0.1 L/100 km mixed (7.3) and has a measured 13.4 s. 2.0 AT AWD is 14.0 s and 7.6 mixed. Do not pick restyling 2.0 AT 148 hp if you need 0–100, top speed or consumption — all three are not measured; you only gain Automatic 6 versus Automatic 5 on the 155 hp 2.0 AT.

Buy 3.2 MT or 3.2 AT only for 220 hp and 9.9 s: mixed 14.2–14.4 L/100 km, 312 Nm at 4600 (the 202 hp diesel makes 450 Nm at 1600-2600). 2.8 AT is 201 hp and mixed 15.1 with 0–100 not measured.

Avoid the 120 hp 2.9 if the file’s 0–100 is the test: 17.0 s, 41.8 hp/L, 15.5 kg/hp. The 132 hp 2.9 AT has 0–100, vmax and consumption not measured and 2015 kg kerb.

2.3 Gasoline is the lightest (1815 kg) but mixed 11.7–12.3 L/100 km. Restyling 2.3 adds Euro 4; generation-1 2.3 AT 140 hp is the slowest Gasoline Automatic at 16.1 s.

Decision in one line: 202 hp 2.2 AT for work per litre and 10.7 s; 181 hp 2.2 AT AWD for the same sprint at 7.6 mixed; 2.2 MT for 1975 kg; 2.0 MT RWD for 7.2 mixed; 2.7 AT 186 hp if you stay on generation 1; 3.2 MT if 9.9 s and 220 hp outweigh 14.2 L/100 km.