The Actyon's appearance evokes mixed feelings — there are clearly too many sculpted details on the body. But if you step back a couple of paces, the picture comes together quite harmoniously. It reads as a puffed-up hatchback on thick wheels with an abnormally high ground clearance. There's no doubt the design turned out distinctive.
Is this an overfed hatchback? Koreans have their own views on SUV design.
While stuck in traffic on Volokolamka, several drivers from neighboring cars peppered me with questions about what rare beast had caught their eye. I patiently explained to each: before them was a Russified Korean, assembled in Naberezhnye Chelny at ZMA, and specially prepared for our road realities. I pointed to the "donut" tires — saying, nothing can puncture this rubber. The only thing that bothers me is the modest trunk volume.
The Korean engineers deliberately sloped the rear of the body back — for design's sake, but at the expense of practicality. Was that a mistake? Not at all. Those who need a spacious cargo area should head straight for the Kyron. Essentially, it's the same Actyon with different styling and a slightly higher price tag.
There's nothing particularly outstanding about the Actyon's interior. The steering column doesn't adjust for reach, there's no audio system, materials are cheap, and the design is mediocre. Note the universal niche for installing a head unit — it's angled relative to the horizon. Original, to say the least…
When asked how it performs, I'd say: it's an acquired taste. For those who like to drive fast, this car is categorically unsuitable. Despite its compact size, the crossover weighs a lot — a full 2.5 tons. On asphalt, it noticeably "floats," and the light, completely empty steering wheel with 3.7 turns lock-to-lock doesn't encourage sharp maneuvers. During active steering, the power steering fails, and the wheel literally locks up. In short, there's little desire to tear around in a heavy body-on-frame Actyon (the frame here is a result of unification with other models).
No, the Actyon's creators definitely have a good sense of humor.
But on broken country roads, you can bounce around to your heart's content. The body overhangs are short, ground clearance is solid, and the high-profile tires, long-travel suspension, solid rear axle, and sturdy frame give the feeling that nothing can faze this car. The Actyon's natural element is moderately dry off-road and battered dirt roads, where it rides with quite decent comfort.
But if we're talking deep mud, ruts, and slush? Then, let's be honest, that's not its territory. The culprit is the simple transmission. In normal mode, the Actyon is rear-wheel drive, and the front is engaged and locked manually by the driver. The frame is certainly a plus, but there are no differential locks at all. And that only confirms: the car isn't suited for serious off-roading. With such potential!
There's plenty of room in the back. A basketball team without a coach and cheerleaders could easily fit in the Actyon. The rear seat backrests are adjustable.
Interesting detail: the low-range gear in the transfer case is only available on petrol versions with an automatic transmission. The manufacturer's logic here is clear — the "low range" should compensate for the petrol engine's lack of low-end torque. But wait, what about the diesel? Well, there's the inconsistency. The engineers decided that the diesel engine's own torque would be enough for tackling climbs and sand.
Big, "plump" tires are perfect for broken roads, but they harm the already far-from-ideal handling.
We got to try all versions of this Korean "hatch." And I can't bring myself to praise the four-speed automatic. The gearbox, though of Mercedes origin, shifts at a snail's pace. This is most annoying when starting off. You floor the gas, and in response — silence. One, two… Hey, wake up, everyone's already left! Three… Well, finally, we're moving. The gearbox gets a solid "fail." Even in Power mode, you won't get much pep.
The petrol engine also draws criticism. At mid-range revs, it's frankly lazy and reluctant to respond to throttle input. If you want dynamics, you'll have to rev it into the high range. But then be prepared for fuel consumption to easily exceed 20 liters per 100 km.
The cabin doesn't shine with refinements, but calling it boring would be a stretch. There are a few stylish details that add charm to the interior. And the audio system here is just a song! Two-component front speakers as part of a four-channel system. And volume control right on the steering wheel — that's pure delight. However, I couldn't enjoy the sound quality: the head unit isn't installed even in the top trim; instead, an empty niche gapes on the dashboard. Want to listen to music? Welcome to the audio equipment store.
The trunk volume here is small. The lowered rear roof and sloped tail are to blame. Below, the useful volume is eaten up by a full-size spare tire. The high floor and large loading height don't add convenience when filling the trunk. But it does have many niches and pockets for storing tools and various small items.
Now about prices. And here, frankly, not everything is smooth. It's unclear what the manufacturer was thinking when setting the price. A small, heavy crossover with mediocre on-road behavior, outdated construction, and modest equipment starts at 769 thousand rubles ($30280). And the top version is downright off-putting — 917 thousand ($36100), that's no laughing matter. For that kind of money, buyers are used to getting not just a modern car, but also, importantly, a prestigious one that can highlight their status.
As we know, there's no accounting for taste. So don't argue with the Actyon owner.
If you add about three thousand dollars more, you can start looking at the Mitsubishi Outlander XL. And crossovers like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson in similar trims will be noticeably cheaper. But if you recall that Severstal-avto plans to assemble only 3,500 Actyons a year in Russia, everything falls into place. There will surely be more than enough takers for such a volume, and since there's demand, why not factor that into the price.
Technical specifications of SsangYong Actyon
Tech
Behind the scenes