The SsangYong Rexton, now the KGM Rexton, is a mid-size SUV built by SsangYong since late 2001. The name comes from the Latin ‘rex’ and the English ‘tone’, intended to mean ‘the ruler’s tone’, and the car has remained the company’s largest passenger SUV through two generations.
SsangYong Rexton at a glance
| Maker | SsangYong Motor (now KG Mobility), South Korea |
|---|---|
| Production | since late 2001 |
| First generation | Y200, 2001–2006 |
| First facelift | Rexton II, Y250, 2006–2012 |
| Second facelift | Rexton W, Y290, 2012–2017 |
| Second generation | Y400, from 2017 |
| Designer | Italdesign Giugiaro (first generation) |
| Diesel engines | 2.7 XDi, 2.9 and 2.0 XDi; 2.2 e-XDi from 2015 |
| Petrol engines | 2.3, 3.2 and later a 2.0 turbo |
| Gearboxes | Tremec five-speed manual; BTR and Mercedes-Benz automatics |
| Drive | four-wheel drive; two-wheel drive added with the Y400 |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the SsangYong Rexton.
History of the SsangYong Rexton
First generation (Y200)
The Y200 Rexton was produced from 2001 to 2006 and styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Italdesign studio. It was available only with four-wheel drive and one of four engines: a 2.3-litre 112 kW (150 hp) petrol, a 2.7-litre common-rail diesel of 121 kW (162 hp) and 342 N·m, a 2.9-litre diesel and a 3.2-litre petrol of 162 kW (217 hp) and 310 N·m. The 2.7 XDi was based on the Mercedes-Benz OM612 CDI but was significantly re-engineered by SsangYong. The car was also sold under a Daewoo badge in some European markets such as France without technical changes, until early 2003. It reached Europe under the SsangYong badge in June 2003, based on a slightly extended Musso chassis, with a five-speed Tremec manual or four-speed BTR automatic; from 2004 the 2.7 XDi could be ordered with a Mercedes-Benz NAG 5G-Tronic Tiptronic.
Rexton II (Y250)
In early 2006 SsangYong unveiled an upgraded Rexton with a catalysed diesel particulate filter and a variable-geometry turbocharger, which earned the 2008 model low-emission status in Korea and a five-year exemption from an environmental tax. Other improvements were an enhanced parking brake, a tyre-pressure monitoring system, electronic toll collection and a forward collision warning and avoidance system. In Malaysia the Rexton was assembled from August 2006 by Competitive Supreme. In 2008 the tuning company Project Kahn showed a modified Rexton 270 SPR at the British International Motor Show, and in 2009 it joined the British range with extra kit, chrome highlights and a sportier interior; the R-Line later gained a Kenwood touch-screen navigation system and a 186 PS (137 kW) version of the 2.7 straight-five turbo diesel with 402 N·m.
Rexton W (Y290)
The Rexton W was released at the Busan Motor Show in 2012 and was the first facelift developed under Mahindra & Mahindra. It had a redesigned grille, new headlights and rear lights and a retuned chassis, and introduced the 2.0-litre XDi Euro 5 diesel with a particulate filter from the Korando and a retuned Euro 5 3.2 petrol. At the end of 2015 the 2.2-litre e-XDi Euro 6 diesel arrived in Europe with a Mercedes-Benz 7G-Tronic automatic.
Second generation (Y400)
The Y400 Rexton traces its roots to the LIV-1 and LIV-2 concepts, the latter shown at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. It debuted in Seoul in 2017 and reached Europe at the Frankfurt show the same year, with styling said to be inspired by the Parthenon. It used a new body-on-frame platform shared with the Musso pickup, an active safety package, higher towing capacity and an electric parking brake with auto hold, and was offered with a 2.0-litre petrol turbo or 2.2-litre diesel, two- or four-wheel drive, and a Mercedes-Benz 7G-Tronic, Aisin six-speed automatic or six-speed manual. In 2005 the Chinese maker SG Automotive had copied the Rexton as the Huanghai Aurora; SsangYong chose not to sue, citing China’s legal system, and only informed its then largest shareholder SAIC.
Design and features
- Italdesign styling: the first generation was drawn by Giorgetto Giugiaro’s studio.
- Mercedes-Benz mechanicals: the 2.7 XDi diesel, 5G-Tronic and 7G-Tronic automatics came from the German company.
- Low-emission Rexton II: particulate filter and variable-geometry turbo earned tax exemptions in Korea.
- Project Kahn 270 SPR: a tuned 186 PS Rexton sold through British dealers from 2009.
- Body-on-frame Y400: the second generation shared its platform, and its towing ability, with the Musso pickup.
SsangYong Rexton versions
- Rexton Y200 (2001–2006): the original, available only with four-wheel drive.
- Rexton II Y250 (2006–2012): first facelift with particulate filter and VGT.
- Rexton W Y290 (2012–2017): second facelift, with the 2.0 XDi and later 2.2 e-XDi.
- Rexton 270 SPR and R-Line: Project Kahn tuned versions sold in Britain.
- Rexton Y400 (from 2017): second generation on a new body-on-frame platform.
- Daewoo Rexton: badge-engineered cars sold in France and elsewhere until early 2003.
The Rexton shares its nameplate history and chassis with the Musso, and the smaller Kyron sat below it. More models are in the SsangYong collection.
Video: Volvo XC90 versus SsangYong Rexton off-road test
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- SsangYong Rexton, English Wikipedia: generations, engines, facelifts, licensing
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