One thing to clear up before we go any further - the Korando Sports is not, as its name might have led you to believe, the pickup version of SsangYong's Korando SUV. They are actually quite different vehicles, and any possible confusion is limited to the UK and a small number of other countries where the Korando Sports name is used. In most markets, the car we're talking about here is called the Actyon.The range hasn't been available here long, and the EXT trim level is a particularly recent development. The "T" stands for "Top" and refers to the full-sized canopy mounted on top of the cargo area. In all other respects, the EXT is identical to the EX which was formerly the higher of two specifications, the lower one being called SX.We'll come back to equipment levels later. In the meantime, there are things to be said which apply to the whole range. To some extent, the Korando Sports - which in all forms comes with an impressive five-year unlimited-mileage warranty - is an old-school pickup, and if you accept that there's not much point in complaining about infelicities like the plasticky feel of the interior or the placement of the handbrake lever a long way to the left. Each of these things, after all, can equally well be said of the Volkswagen Amarok.Equally, you just have to live with the way the Korando Sports shakes and rattles over rough surfaces, since that's an inevitable result of its body-on-chassis construction. On the other hand, the relatively sophisticated rear suspension layout, with coil rather than leaf springs, helps the ride quality no end on smoother roads.Even more impressive is the lack of engine noise. Every Korando Sports uses a 153bhp two-litre turbo diesel engine (quite powerful enough for the job, I think) which is quieter than other diesels fitted to apparently much more luxurious vehicles (hello, 2.2-litre Jaguar XF Sportbrake) and even manages to keep its voice down when started from cold.There's room inside for four adults as long as they're not excessively tall. "Excessively tall" describes me quite accurately, and I need another couple of inches of seat travel in addition to what SsangYong offers to be properly comfortable. But that would reduce the amount of rear space, which again isn't lavish. As long as no one on board is over six feet tall, there shouldn't be a problem.The load capacity is also good but not amazing. The cargo deck has an area of just over two square metres, which doesn't compare favourably with the Amarok's 2.5. And if you want to tow, the Korando Sports is good for up to 2300kg with a braked trailer, some way behind the Amarok's 2800kg and nowhere near the Ford Ranger's 3350kg. The only thing that can be said in the SsangYong's favour here is that it's by far the cheapest of the three vehicles.The transmission can be set, by turning a rotary knob on the dashboard, to any of three modes - two-wheel drive high ratio for normal use, four-wheel drive high ratio for tricky conditions and four-wheel drive low ratio for really difficult stuff. Neither of the 4x4 modes is suitable for very tight turns on tarmac, as I found when the test car locked itself into position and refused to continue until I'd selected two-wheel drive.There are a few more niggles. The steering is very low-geared, so you have to spin the wheel to a surprising extent even for mild changes of direction. Negotiating my way past a parked bus in a busy street involved not much effort but a remarkable amount of arm-twirling.Forward visibility isn't helped by the very thick windscreen pillars and further reduced if you pay an extra £28 for the door visors which are designed to reduce wind noise but also block the view considerably. And the EXT's canopy has a very small rear window, so it can be quite hard to see what's behind you.As mentioned above, the canopy is the only thing that separates the £21,495 EXT from the £19,995 EX. Both come as standard with 18" alloy wheels, manual air-conditioning, heated front seats, front and rear foglights, tinted glass and (hurrah!) a full-sized spare wheel. ESP and Active Rollover Protection are also included, though while we're on the subject of safety items it should be pointed out that neither the Korando Sports nor any other SsangYong has been put through Euro NCAP's crash test procedure.Also standard is a Kenwood radio/CD/MP3 player with Bluetooth connectivity, USB connection and auxiliary port. I can't speak about that, though, because the test car had an optional Kenwood system which costs £999 and includes DAB digital radio and Garmin satellite navigation.The buttons on this system are too small, badly lit and placed on the left, as far from the driver as possible, but fortunately you need them only to select the appropriate mode (satnav or audio or what have you). From then on all the action takes place on a much more convenient touchscreen.While driving in the country I was quite impressed with the satnav, and even made a note to that effect. My opinion changed completely when, on several occasions while attempting to navigate me through Edinburgh, the system believed the car had jumped sideways on to a different street and began to give me completely inappropriate directions on that basis.Well, that's no good. I can get mystifyingly lost in Edinburgh perfectly well on my own. Having a device to make me even loster is simply painting the lily or gilding refined gold. Perhaps both. Forget this satnav, I say, and fit your own, cheaper, portable system. Engine 1998cc, 4 cylinders Power 153bhp Transmission 6-speed manual Fuel/CO2 37.7mpg / 199g/km Top speed 107mph Price £21,495 (including VAT) Details correct at publication date
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