Ssangyong Rodius is a taxi driver’s dream

NOW that Bill Cullen has become one of the 15 Ssangyong dealers in Ireland, the Korean car manufacturer is getting a bit of extra publicity.

Bill, who was previously associated with Renault, returned to the motor trade earlier this year. However, Cullen wasn’t absent as long as the Korean company, who returned to the Irish market last year after a five-year absence.

Ssangyong was saved by a huge investment from Indian conglomerate Mihandra & Mihandra, and this time round the cars are being imported into Ireland by the Harris group. Ssangyong has a reputation for building massive diesel people carriers, most of which may not be very pretty, but they are still popular.

The first group of Ssangyong motors being introduced into Ireland include the Korando, Korando Sport, Rexton and Rodius. My test car last week was the impressive seven-seater Rodius, which was designed by the legendary Italian-born designer Giugiaro.

In the past I have seen taxi drivers using the Rodius and now I can understand why. You get seven full size seats. With most seven-seaters the third row of seats are only suitable for children. But the Rodius is certainly different. There are two seats in the middle row and ample leg room. Then you have three more seats neatly tucked away at the back.

If Ssangyong had added sliding doors it would have been magic as there is plenty of room to move around in the back. I also liked the light on the floor level in the back which worked very well. All my passengers enjoyed the high driving position and I drove a 2.0-litre automatic version which was even more relaxing. I appreciated the

‘foot handbrake,’ which is a lever to the left of the clutch which you can engage with your left foot when parking.

With all seven seats in use there was still room for our visitors four cases, standing upright in the luggage department. With a lot of space taken up by seating and luggage space, no surprise to find that there is no room for a spare wheel. However, if you want space to carry bulky items the second and third row of seats can be folded down. Also for children or indeed adults, there are flip up trays on the back of the front seats.

My grandchildren were very impressed; after a few days in the old Skoda 2002, they were giving the Rodius ten out of ten. And it does deserve high marks for the comfort, seating arrangements and space. But there are few drawbacks worth noting; second hand prices may not be great in a country where we are slow to change our opinions on new brands and road tax is a whopping e1,200. It’s a massive motor and I think it could have done with reversing sensors.

Prices start at

?¬36,995, while the automatic version I drove will cost you

?¬39,995.