# SsangYong Korando (쌍용 코란도)
**SsangYong Korando** (쌍용 코란도) is a compact and mid-sized SUV produced since 1983 by the South Korean manufacturer now known as KG Mobility, formerly SsangYong Motor. The name was adopted from Geohwa Co., Ltd. in 1983 and is a contraction of the motto "Korean Can Do".[1](https://newsroom.kgm.de/pages/geschichte/) • [2](https://kgm.com.au/about/our-history) It is one of the longest-running SUV nameplates in Korea, spanning four generations from a licensed Jeep copy to a battery-electric crossover.[3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-p5MO7-AB4)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name origin | Adopted from Geohwa Co., Ltd. in 1983; contraction of "Korean Can Do"[1](https://newsroom.kgm.de/pages/geschichte/) • [2](https://kgm.com.au/about/our-history) |
| First generation | Licensed copy of the Jeep CJ-7, built with hard and soft tops[4](https://ssangyong-tempavto-k.ru/company/about/history/) |
| Third generation (2011) | The company's first monocoque Korando, with a new 2.0-liter home-developed diesel engine[2](https://kgm.com.au/about/our-history) |
| Fourth generation (2019) | Launched 2019, released 2020; 1.5-liter turbo petrol (163 hp) and 1.6-liter diesel[5](https://www.ssangyong.com.tr/kurumsal/tarihce) • [6](https://www.autobild.de/artikel/ssangyong-korando-2019-test-ausstattung-preis-15673009.html) |
| Euro NCAP 2019 | Five stars: adult occupant 88%, child occupant 85%, vulnerable road users 68%, safety assist 74%[7](https://www.euroncap.com/es/results/ssangyong/korando/38099) |
| Electric version | Korando e-Motion arrived spring 2023 with a 61.5 kWh battery and 187 hp; withdrawn soon after the KGM rebrand[8](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/kgm/korando/370208/used-ssangyong-korando-mk4-2019-date-buyers-guide-suv-just-ps10k) |
| Current dimensions | Length 4,450 mm, width 1,870 mm, wheelbase 2,675 mm, boot 551 liters[9](https://kgmcars.sk/getImage/Downloads/country_1757338975322/doc_1774434075181_kgm_cennik_korando_sk.pdf) |
## Origins, 1954 to 1983
The company behind the Korando began as the Ha Dong-Hwan Motor Workshop in 1954, building trucks, buses, and special-purpose vehicles, many for export.[2](https://kgm.com.au/about/our-history) In 1974 it co-founded Shinjin Jeep and developed hard-top and soft-top Jeeps, and in 1977 it was renamed Dong-A Motor Co Ltd.[2](https://kgm.com.au/about/our-history) The Pyeongtaek production plant was completed in 1979.[1](https://newsroom.kgm.de/pages/geschichte/)
The Korando name itself entered the company in 1983 from Geohwa Co., Ltd.[1](https://newsroom.kgm.de/pages/geschichte/) The first Korandos were licensed copies of the [Jeep CJ](https://www.edgepedia.org/jeep-cj)-7, offered with hard and soft tops, and are described as among the first off-road vehicles built in Korea.[4](https://ssangyong-tempavto-k.ru/company/about/history/) In 1984 Dong-A Motor took over Geohwa and with it the Korando name.[2](https://kgm.com.au/about/our-history)
## The SsangYong years
In 1986 the SsangYong Group acquired the company and renamed it SsangYong Motor; from then on all vehicles carried the SsangYong name.[1](https://newsroom.kgm.de/pages/geschichte/) • [2](https://kgm.com.au/about/our-history) The Korando was exported to Japan in November 1986 and to [Northern Europe](https://www.edgepedia.org/northern-europe) in February 1988, and a station-wagon Korando Family was introduced in December 1988.[10](https://ssangyong.com.tr/public/kurumsal/tarihce) In February 1990 a Korando took first place in the 10th Cyprus Rally.[10](https://ssangyong.com.tr/public/kurumsal/tarihce) In 1997 the Korando received a Korean Car of the Year award.[11](https://en.kg-mobility.com/download/2023_kgmobility_english.pdf)
The company's ownership changed repeatedly. It merged with China's Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) in 2004, entered receivership in 2009, and was acquired in 2011 by the Indian utility-vehicle maker [Mahindra & Mahindra](https://www.edgepedia.org/mahindra-and-mahindra).[2](https://kgm.com.au/about/our-history) • [12](https://elpais.com/diario/2010/09/25/motor/1285365602_850215.html) In September 2022 the KG Group took over the company and changed the brand name to KGM.[5](https://www.ssangyong.com.tr/kurumsal/tarihce)
## Generations
**Third generation, 2011.** The 2011 Korando was the company's first monocoque Korando and used a new 2.0-liter diesel engine developed in-house.[2](https://kgm.com.au/about/our-history) The Spanish press described the 2010 Korando as a compact off-roader competing with the [Nissan Qashqai](https://www.edgepedia.org/nissan-qashqai), Ford Kuga, and [Toyota RAV4](https://www.edgepedia.org/toyota-rav4), with Giugiaro styling, a 486-liter boot, a 175 hp 2.0 turbodiesel available with front-wheel or four-wheel drive, and a starting price of 23,900 euros.[12](https://elpais.com/diario/2010/09/25/motor/1285365602_850215.html) In January 2012 the company introduced the Korando Sports pickup and, between January and June 2012, repositioned it toward active-lifestyle consumers to lift sales and market share.[5](https://www.ssangyong.com.tr/kurumsal/tarihce) • [13](https://www.kci.go.kr/kciportal/landing/article.kci?arti_id=ART001739987) In January 2012 a Korando also won a Northern European race held in extreme cold.[5](https://www.ssangyong.com.tr/kurumsal/tarihce)
**Fourth generation, 2019.** The fourth-generation Korando was launched in 2019 and released in 2020.[5](https://www.ssangyong.com.tr/kurumsal/tarihce) Engine choices were a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol with 163 hp and a 1.6-liter common-rail diesel with 136 hp.[6](https://www.autobild.de/artikel/ssangyong-korando-2019-test-ausstattung-preis-15673009.html) The current range uses a 1.5 GDI turbo petrol in 149 hp and 163 hp versions with six-speed manual or Aisin six-speed automatic gearboxes, front-wheel drive or an optionally lockable AWD system, meeting the Euro 6e standard.[9](https://kgmcars.sk/getImage/Downloads/country_1757338975322/doc_1774434075181_kgm_cennik_korando_sk.pdf) • [14](https://www.kgmsrbija.rs/getImage/Downloads/country_1718602125489/doc_1761572285137_kgm_korando_catalogue_sr_2025_v1_web.pdf) The car measures 4,450 mm long, 1,870 mm wide, and 1,620 mm high on a 2,675 mm wheelbase, with a 551-liter boot (407 liters with the spare wheel fitted).[9](https://kgmcars.sk/getImage/Downloads/country_1757338975322/doc_1774434075181_kgm_cennik_korando_sk.pdf) Towing capacity is 1,500 kg braked for petrol versions, with the diesel rated up to 2,000 kg braked.[9](https://kgmcars.sk/getImage/Downloads/country_1757338975322/doc_1774434075181_kgm_cennik_korando_sk.pdf) • [8](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/kgm/korando/370208/used-ssangyong-korando-mk4-2019-date-buyers-guide-suv-just-ps10k)
## Safety and ownership experience
The 2019 Korando earned a five-star [Euro NCAP](https://www.edgepedia.org/euro-ncap) rating, scoring 88% for adult occupant protection, 85% for child occupant protection, 68% for vulnerable road users, and 74% for safety assist; the tested model was the 1.6 diesel in left-hand drive, and the rating covers all Korandos including the e-Motion.[7](https://www.euroncap.com/es/results/ssangyong/korando/38099) In the UK, adjusted MOT pass rates for the Korando stand at 65.9% against a national average of 72.3%.[15](https://motfiles.co.uk/make/ssangyong/korando) SsangYong issued two recalls for the model: one in July 2020 for fuel pipes in the engine bay that could crack and leak, and one in January 2024 for sub-standard steering-column mounting brackets on cars built between May 2019 and January 2020.[8](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/kgm/korando/370208/used-ssangyong-korando-mk4-2019-date-buyers-guide-suv-just-ps10k) Owner forums suggest buyers are broadly satisfied, though common complaints include failed air-conditioning compressors, premature suspension wear, and worn steering racks.[8](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/kgm/korando/370208/used-ssangyong-korando-mk4-2019-date-buyers-guide-suv-just-ps10k)
## The e-Motion
The Korando e-Motion was SsangYong's first electric SUV, arriving in spring 2023 with a 61.5 kWh battery and 187 hp.[8](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/kgm/korando/370208/used-ssangyong-korando-mk4-2019-date-buyers-guide-suv-just-ps10k) Only a small number were sold before it was quietly withdrawn after the company became KGM.[8](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/kgm/korando/370208/used-ssangyong-korando-mk4-2019-date-buyers-guide-suv-just-ps10k) The KGM-badged version produces 207 hp against 190 hp for the SsangYong version, because the motor supplier changed to BYD.[16](https://www.km77.com/coches/kgm/korando/2024/estandar/informacion) With a 100 kW DC fast charger the battery reaches 80% in an estimated 33 minutes, and the drivetrain is rated at 140 kW and 360 Nm.[17](https://kgm-motors.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/E100-brochure_compressed-2.pdf)
## Market position
The Korando has been positioned as a value-oriented compact SUV. In Australia it slots between the smaller Tivoli and the seven-seat Rexton, and its dimensions place it between the small and medium SUV segments.[18](https://www.carconversation.com.au/reviews/2020-ssangyong-korando-review) Sales in the UK remain small: SsangYong sold 1,660 cars there in 2023, a 0.09% market share, and under KGM the total fell to 1,617 in 2024 and 1,574 in 2025, a 0.08% share.[8](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/kgm/korando/370208/used-ssangyong-korando-mk4-2019-date-buyers-guide-suv-just-ps10k) In Romania, 2026 model-year list prices for the Korando C313 run from 22,900 to 30,700 euros including VAT, with a five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty plus a five-year/150,000 km extended warranty covering engine, transmission, and turbocharger.[19](https://oferte.kgm.asko.ro/wp-content/pdf/lista_korando.pdf)
## References
1. [Geschichte, KGM Newsroom](https://newsroom.kgm.de/pages/geschichte/)
2. [Our History, KGM SsangYong Australia](https://kgm.com.au/about/our-history)
3. [Comparison Test Drive: SsangYong Korando vs. Kia Sportage, ROADTEST (YouTube)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-p5MO7-AB4)
4. [История, SsangYong (Temp-Avto)](https://ssangyong-tempavto-k.ru/company/about/history/)
5. [Tarihçe, SsangYong Türkiye](https://www.ssangyong.com.tr/kurumsal/tarihce)
6. [SsangYong Korando (2019): Test, Ausstattung, Preis, AUTO BILD](https://www.autobild.de/artikel/ssangyong-korando-2019-test-ausstattung-preis-15673009.html)
7. [Official SsangYong Korando 2019 safety rating, Euro NCAP](https://www.euroncap.com/es/results/ssangyong/korando/38099)
8. [Used SsangYong Korando (Mk4, 2019-date) buyer's guide, Auto Express](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/kgm/korando/370208/used-ssangyong-korando-mk4-2019-date-buyers-guide-suv-just-ps10k)
9. [KGM Korando cenník (Slovakia)](https://kgmcars.sk/getImage/Downloads/country_1757338975322/doc_1774434075181_kgm_cennik_korando_sk.pdf)
10. [Tarihçe, SsangYong Türkiye (public)](https://ssangyong.com.tr/public/kurumsal/tarihce)
11. [KG Mobility company history (2023 English PDF)](https://en.kg-mobility.com/download/2023_kgmobility_english.pdf)
12. [El resurgir de Ssangyong, El País (2010)](https://elpais.com/diario/2010/09/25/motor/1285365602_850215.html)
13. [Brand Revitalization by Strategic Repositioning: A Case Study of Korando Sports, KCI](https://www.kci.go.kr/kciportal/landing/article.kci?arti_id=ART001739987)
14. [LISTA KARAKTERISTIKA, KGM Srbija](https://www.kgmsrbija.rs/getImage/Downloads/country_1718602125489/doc_1761572285137_kgm_korando_catalogue_sr_2025_v1_web.pdf)
15. [Ssangyong Korando MOT Pass Rate, The MOT Files](https://motfiles.co.uk/make/ssangyong/korando)
16. [KGM Korando (2024), km77.com](https://www.km77.com/coches/kgm/korando/2024/estandar/informacion)
17. [E100 brochure (Korando e-Motion), KGM Motors Singapore](https://kgm-motors.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/E100-brochure_compressed-2.pdf)
18. [2020 SsangYong Korando Review, CarConversation](https://www.carconversation.com.au/reviews/2020-ssangyong-korando-review)
19. [Listă de prețuri 2026 Korando C313, KGM România](https://oferte.kgm.asko.ro/wp-content/pdf/lista_korando.pdf)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Technology and the built world › Transport and spaceflight › Road transport › Automobiles › Korean and other Asian models*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 18, 2026; Oct 15, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Oct 15, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license