June 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 40 SsangYong is known for building economical, workmanlike vehicles which get the job done but with few frills. However, with the latest edition of the Tivoli, the brand has gone upmarket, looking to grab a slice of the more mainstream crossover pie. The 2016 Tivoli comes with many of the bells and whistles you’d expect from a more expensive vehicle. I particularly liked the reversing camera which pops up on the radio display; very useful given that this car is really spacious and quite a lot of machine to get into a small space. And the radio itself is really easy to navigate even when driving at speed, plus the sound quality makes for a tuneful motoring experience. The styling is certainly aiming for a more upmarket feel with the top-of-the-range version I drove featuring leather interiors, glossy black trim and seats comfortable enough that you’d swear they were designed with orthopaedics in mind. In fact the whole interior is pretty impressive. The control console has been designed for efficiency coupled with good looks. Everything is within easy reach and intuitive, so you don’t find yourself searching for buttons and switches while you’re on the move. I found the console lighting a little too bright but I’m assured this is variable and there’s even showcase an option to customise it to suit your mood by setting the cluster illumination to any one of six subtle background colours ranging from sky blue to yellow. With its 1.6-litre, 128hp engine, powering a car that can comfortably seat five adults with ample space left over for shopping or luggage, you wouldn’t necessarily expect the Tivoli to be a sporty ride, though there is a sport mode option on the steering system. But what this car is, is comfortable. I went for a spin over to Amwaj and had a very enjoyable drive along the highway. Steady cruising makes for a smooth motoring experience and the car is built to the highest possible safety specifications with front and knee driver airbags, front passenger airbag, side airbags in the front and curtain airbags. The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) also adds to the vehicle’s excellent safety credentials monitoring road conditions and vehicle status constantly, adjusting engine output and braking if it seems you’re about to lose control. The ESP integrates the antilock braking system, active rollover protection, anti-slip regulation and brake-force assist. Additional features include hill start assist, tyre pressure monitoring system and outside parking sensors. The Tivoli comes in a range of eight colours – Techno Grey, Jazz Brown, Icecap Blue, Dandy Blue, Flaming Red, Silent Silver, Grand White and Space Black – with an equally impressive selection of interior finishes, including black or beige leather, woven or a TPU/cloth combination. For a sportier look you can go for a striking red option which takes in seats, steering wheel, trim and seatback bands. And, with the younger motorist in mind, there are five two-tone body and roof colour combinations matched with either black or white 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. The UK’s Auto Express says of the Tivoli: “Easily the best-looking modern SsangYong with an interior that's functional, spacious and wellequipped.” And, after my short time with the car, I couldn’t agree more. EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS MOTOR CITY Liz O'Reilly checks out an SUV that shows this company has upped its game.
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