With the introduction of the new Actyon Sports, SsangYong has basically removed the single biggest obstacle its entrant into the ultra-competitive ute segment faced: its looks. Damien O’Carroll reports

Now no-longer cursed with the “challenging” looks of the old model, SsangYong’s local distributor Greatlake Motor Distributors is confident that sales of the Actyon will leap up this year. And it has every reason for that confidence.

With the big boys all literally getting bigger (Ranger, BT-50, Colorado, Navara and, more than likely, next-gen Hilux) the Actyon has remained in the “smaller” ute category. This is largely because it is still basically the same ute behind its pretty new face.

But don’t take that in the wrong way, because unlike in the Hilux sense of the phrase, the “proven technology” under the Actyon was actually very good - and still largely up to date - to begin with.

The “new” Actyon features a new nose, new tail, new side skirts, a revamped interior, but most significantly a new 2-litre diesel engine. Hooked up to the new 114kW/360Nm motor is a choice of either a 6-speed automatic or a new 6-speed manual transmission.

It comes in a choice of 2WD or 4WD, with the 4WD also being available in high-spec SPR guise. All models come with a choice of either the manual or auto transmission.

The standard model comes with an impressive amount of kit, including electronic stability control, two airbags, hill start assist, air conditioning, 16 inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth phone connectivity, heated seats and cruise control, while the SPR adds climate control air con, 18 inch alloy wheels, electric seat adjustments (8-way driver’s, 4-way passenger’s), leather trim, auto wipers and headlights, and backing sensors.

To say that any ute’s ride is car-like would be a bare-faced lie, but the Actyon is remarkably close to the mark. Its multi-link rear suspension, while still obviously set up to carry a decent load in the remarkably wide - but still short - tray offers a far more car-like experience than the majority of its competitors, with the possible exception of the remarkable Amarok and the Ranger/BT-50 siblings.

The Actyon remains composed through corners with minimal body roll for such a high vehicle. The 2-litre diesel engine pulls willingly, only occasionally showing its lack of cubic capacity - mainly up in the revs - with its only real downside coming in the manual transmission-equipped vehicles, where it is all too easy to run into the rev-limiter when attempting a passing manoeuvre or a quick sprint through the gears.

On and off-road the Actyon is a remarkably comfortable and quiet proposition, with supportive seats and extremely good sound deadening.

The interior is basically a refinement of the previous model, with new vents, stereo and gauges, but it works well in modernising what was always a pretty good interior to begin with. Most of the plastics are pretty hard, but the quality is generally good, especially when you consider the price.

But the Actyon isn’t faultless and the most glaring faults come in the form of occupant safety: two airbags really isn’t enough these days, even in a ute, and the lap-only centre rear seat belt is simply unforgivable.

These unfortunate lapses aside, driving the Actyon around Taupo on the recent launch showed it to be in impressive package both on and off the road. Ride quality is impressive, as is handling, while the spec level for the money is remarkable, not to mention unique in the ute segment.

The icing on the cake just happens to be the massively improved looks, which now make the Actyon something that is truly desirable. Something that sure couldn’t be said of its unfortunate predecessor, no matter how capable it was.

Prices:

4WD 6-speed man    $39,990
4WD 6-speed auto    $41,990
SPR 4WD 6-speed man    $45,990
SPR 4WD 6-speed auto    $47,990