We were surprised and suitably impressed by the 2-litre Ssang-Yong Kyron when we tested it a month, or so, ago.

While the styling is different, the Kyrons dynamics were right on the mark. So, hot on the heels of little brothers arrival, we were pleased to try the larger engined, XDi 270 version.

The 2.7-litre engine is one were familiar with. It powers our own fleets Rexton and has its origins as a Mercedes Benz design. Its a delightfully smooth and grunty 5-cylinder turbo-diesel and it adds quite bit of get up and go to this higher specification Kyron.

The engine is of the same design as the 2-litre 4-cylinder model. In fact, the smaller engine is basically a cut down 5-cylinder. Its a direct injection, common-rail, inter-cooled turbo-diesel producing 121kW (164hp) at 4000 rpm and 340Nm from 1800 rpm.

While it is more powerful, it actually doesnt have the same power per litre as the very efficient 2-litre version, but theres no substitute for more capacity and despite being heavier, due to more fruit, the XDi 270 cuts more than a second from the standing start time to 100 kph. At 11 seconds flat it isnt hanging about and its also 2 seconds faster than a Rexton with the same engine.

The difference isnt as great overtaking from 80 to 110 kph - 6.45 seconds versus 7.1 seconds for the 2-litre but that is in part due to differences in gear ratios. The improvement is actually more marked as the speed differential increases.

They share the same tip-tronic 5-speed automatic with low-range, albeit with revised ratios, and the same part-time, switch activated 4WD system, with automatic hubs, no centre differential and they both have a limited-slip rear differential.

It is one of the better transmissions weve experienced and, not surprisingly, is also of MB origin. It not only shifts nicely and at the right time, it also holds the gears very well allowing the torque to be used to good advantage. Its at the other end of the scale from Pathfinder, which continually unlocks the torque-converter or changes down even under quite light acceleration.

Like the 2-litre (XDi 200) version the up-spec Kyron drives nicely on-road although, with its 18-inch 255/60 Hankook Optimo tyres, it is harder riding so you do notice the live axle working on bumpy corners. The heavier and longer engine also produces a little more under-steer but the low-profile road tyres bite well enough on turn in, to minimise the impact of that characteristic.

At low speeds XDi 200s front tyres protested a little if you attempt a fast entry to a roundabout but theres none of that in the 270.

At open road speeds the 200 had no such problem and felt lighter on its feet than the 270 if no more able.

The 270 must weigh considerably more than the 2000kg plus kerb weight of the 200 because it feels heavy and the 200 didnt, as such. It can still cover distances quite quickly on winding roads but the ride is firmer and you feel the ripples a little more.

So, while the XDi 200 is the better balanced of the two, the 270 is still quite agile and with greater power it also responds nicely to a prod on the accelerator exiting a bend, without changing down.

Off-road, the transmission mount is still the limiting factor; the minimum ground clearance of 193mm is identical to the 200. So are the RTIs (Ramp Travel Indices) of 482 (front) and 500 (rear), we checked. Wheel articulation is great for a a vehicle in this category and it almost qualifies as a real 4WD.

If it wasnt for the position of the engine air-intake scoops either side of the bonnet catch and the low transmission mounting we might upgrade its status.

So, instead of repeating the same tracks, we took the XDi 270 to the beach via the forest, in company with an Outlander. Theyre chalk and cheese; the Kyron is streets ahead in its ability off the blacktop although Outlander does handle on well-formed forestry roads.

In the soft sand the Kyron has great traction and heaps of torque with which it pulls strongly but the traction control gets horribly confused when you try to floor it with all four wheels spinning and it gradually shuts down the throttle. We couldnt find a way to turn it completely off; even when we hit the off-switch it kept doing it. There may yet be a way, however.

The simplest way to overcome that was just to get a run at the sand dunes and use the Kyrons considerable momentum to overcome the drag of the sand.

Once on the beach, the higher seating position was better too, enabling us to see further ahead the lie of the land (or is that sand?).

Both Kyron models are great in their own ways. The XDi270 has nicer alloys and a rear spoiler which improves the look of it. The addition of hill descent control (HDC) is a bonus although we didnt get to test it in really steep down-hill conditions.

The traction control is a good idea because the extra torque could be a handful in 2WD on a wet sealed road but we still want to know how to turn it all the way off.

Inside, the same classy euro interior is supplemented by leather upholstery, which looks and feels nice. However, the biggest improvement to the XDi 270s appearance was the deep purple metallic paint. Along with the rear spoiler it transformed the look of the Kyron.

The XDi 270 is so fresh off the boat that we couldnt get all the specifications at the time of testing so were assuming the braked tow rating is still 2300kg as with the 200.

At $49,990 it is $7000 more expensive than the 200 but well priced compared with Rexton, which isnt much bigger and doesnt have the on-road manners although it is far more capable off-road. Ssang-Yongs range of diesel automatic 4WDs is getting bigger and better and as more and more soft-roaders get softer a sizeable niche is opening up for models of the Kyrons capability.

Its bigger than the typical mid-sized soft-roader competitors, roomier and with a larger boot with other useful storage spaces too.

Were still getting used to the positioning of the indicator and wiper stalks at a 10 to 2 and the digital clock with the hour set above the minutes. The handbrake is still a stretch but the air-conditioner held its settings when switched off and we worked out how to use the remote central-locking properly.

It seems it was operator error and to unlock all you have to do is hold the button down for three seconds, whereas a short sharp press on the button will lock the Kyron.

After a good initial impression the Kyron has continued to impress in XDi 270 form. It offers greater performance and improved looks inside and out with lots of useful extras.

We actually prefer the XDi 200 Kyron, in hindsight, simply because we wouldnt require the low profile tyres or the traction control and because it has the better balanced handling, if a little less grip, on and off-road. Most potential buyers will probably opt for more power to tow with and more comfort features. In which case the XDi 270 is a great option to have..: