2008 SsangYong Stavic
November 27, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
SsangYong is slowly coming of age. There was at time when the Korean manufacturer was best known for producing the oddest looking cars in the world, but times have changed.
With every new model or facelift comes cleaner styling and more appeal. The latest model to undergo a much needed cosmetic surgery is the Stavic people mover.
The new Stavic borrows some design cues from the Kyron and Rexton to simplify the somewhat quirky shape of the preceding model. The update is obvious from the chrome grille that extends the new SsangYong styling theme across the range.
There is a new front bumper fascia, front grille and, on the Sports model, a moulded nudge bar. The top-of-the-range Stavic Limited also receives new 16-inch five spoke alloys while the Sports model receives 16″ steel rims.
From the back the new Stavic receives a redesigned rear spoiler with integrated LED stop light, and roof rails. Despite the changes, the rear still has a lot of convincing to do.
The interior has also received its share of improvements with SsangYong building the new Stavic with a Rexton II type steering wheel with integrated T-Tronic gear shift controls.
Additionally the 2008 range gets revised engine mapping for better driveability and lower fuel consumption. The Stavic is also Euro IV compliant after the switch to diesel power across the range.
The powerplant switch means the 3.2-litre petrol engine is no longer offered. The 2.7-litre diesel is coupled to either a five speed manual or a five speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.
The Stavic is still available in both two or four wheel drive with a choice of either Sports or Limited specification level.
You wouldn’t know it, but given the lack of diesel cars in Australia, the Stavic takes the honour of Australia’s best selling diesel powered people mover, but it’s not hard to see why, with seating for seven and a long list of standard features starting from just $32,990.
SsangYong offers a 3 year/100,000 kilometre factory warranty with SsangYong Assist 24/7 roadside assistance.
Print it: 
The front is an ‘improvement’.
But wtf is that thing on the back? Its a hunch back!
“Despite the changes, the rear still has a bit convincing to do.” Surely this qualifies as the understatement of the decade? It’s truly unrivalled in terms of its rear end ugliness, though the Subaru Tribeca comes mighty close. What were they thinking? Why not fix it this time around? You can’t tell me that ass just happened to slip past all the consumer focus groups…
YUUUUKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!! WOULD STILL WIN THE AWARD FOR THE UGLIEST CAR EVER PRODUCED.
I’m still of the opinion the Designers came up with the Rear end design on a napkin after a heavy night on the Turps. It literally still looks like an afterthought.
On the payroll
it looks like a stationwagon ran up the arse of a merc
No longer truly shocking, but still rates 1 out of 10. Do they supply a veil to wear over your face?
Unbelievably, this thing was designed in the first place by Ken Greenley (check spelling, someone) who penned any number of Astons and Jags in the eighties and nineties (I’m loose here, okay, anyone can correct me if desired)
If I designed something as ugly as this, I wouldn’t be taking credit for it.
Yes the rear isn’t the best looking in the business, but you have to remember, from what SsangYong used to be, to what it is now, is a massive improvement in terms of styling.
*barfs* That has to be the most ugliest people mover in the world! Nothing has changed, and to think they ‘reworked’ the front when the most obvious thing in need of a redo was the back. They probably though, “shit that’s ugly but what are we going to do *dumb stares into the distance*………oh let’s just to the front and hope we wooh people with that”. Absolutely disgusting!
Improvement in styling. How much did they pay to get these reponses, the old one looked virtually EXACTLY the same…
redbookasiapacific.com/au/photos/SSAN/SSAN0027.jpg
They’ve made the grille slightly wider… woah huge improvement. Wasnt this car voted ugliest car of the year or something?
It’s like they were making a sedan then said “crap, this was supposed to be a people mover!” and then stuck that thing on the back.
Finer styling than an AU, but still the ugliest creation on the market.
Even the Mahindra is better looking…….
It’s kind of like a gangster with a mullet, stupidchrome ‘grillz’ up the front and truely shocking from the back. With no promise of anything notably visually attractive.
“SsangYong is slowly coming of age”, what like a poo drying in the sun? Its an over engineered boat anchor. Why did Ssangyong have to make it soo massive as well? when its so big you cant help but notice it.
And there is a sports model… hahaha with steel rims hahaha, a van that looks like a massive out of proportion insect. Maybe SsangYong should be taking notes on designs of buses, or bricks thats a good start. Once they design a good rectangular shaped prism they can then move onto adding windows and eventually wheels because thats the stage their designers need to go back to.
Um…
It has plenty of room inside…and that is it…
I dont know what is going on the exterior designers head
but i think he’s on crack.
I personally can forgive the front looks of this people mover but no matter how long i look at the back i cant seem to comprehend why this design made it into production.
In fairness it may have a good engine and some specs…
but seriously, if they really want to market this hideous people mover why not hire a decent exterior designer…
heck why not hire me to design it…i bet anyone can think
of something better for the back…Geez fo’ REAL..pls change the back…the only good thing SSangyong did for this people mover is to make people laugh at its weird back.
i got entertained reading other peoples comments…lol
There’s this one comment i liked regarding the need of a veil…lol that is hilarious. Man this car looks like its giving birth to another car. Now seriously, why would anyone spend $32,990 to drive this car known to be the ugliest car ever produced? Pls for the love of God change the back…DRASTICALLY.
I saw the Facelifted model at the Sydney Motor Show and the gold example they had on display had a black decal covering the C pillar to make the glass house appear to continue all the way along.
Looks like two cars doing it doggie style.
I guess we can understand why the Asians copy everyone else’s designs now then……….
Ok there isn’t an uncool wall uncool enough for that to go on.
from the rear it looks like one of those hyundai excels modified for wheelchair access
Looks too Kia Carnival (2nd last model).
Front passable just, rear is absolutely hideous and butch.
What the car needs is a normal back end…like really have readers on this website seen one. I have and they are hideously FUGLY.
I’m no artist, but I know I can design a better van than that! Is it like a yacht that ran over a fridge? It’s just terrible that rear.
And the ugliest new car of the year goes to Ssangyong again for the 5th year in a row, well done!!!
jeez… whats going on with these wanker designers! this is one ugly mother… very close, possibly worse than the subaru tribeca in terms of down right jaw dropping dead set ugly, with the new, spongy subaru impreza not far behind. i think the ssangyoung designers are screwing the subaru designers and their off spring have spawned this filthy looking hearse like, smacked in shite box. if you got behind this thing in traffic, you’d bust your ring to get past it. this is a very tragic looking car. good luck!
Harry i take offence to you comparing SSangyong to subarus!!! new impreza is actually good looking in the flesh, espicially the rs and wrx,, as for tribeca its no where neer as bad as ssangyong and about to be replaced by more mainstream better lookiing shape anyway..SUBARU is qaulity japanese product!! Ssangyong is just CRAP!!!
its a matter of opinion chris, i disagree with you saying the wrx looks good. wrx looks cheap and nasty to me.. i’ve owned 5 subies, no more till they toughen up again. they’ve lost the plot at subieland.
I think the tail design came from the Benz A-class. Similar C pillar, didn’t like on the Merc, and is even worse here with the upright glass. Yuk. If they sloped the glass it would sorta look a bit like the Lexus Rx350 4×4.
WOW nothing but criticism i have owned 2 stavics now my latest is the 4×4 limited yes the back isnt the easiest on the eyes untill they adapt lol i am wondering if any of you that have posted have kid(s) and need or want a people mover the reason i bought one was the size of them, nothing on the market could come close to the room the stavic offers with the fuel economy it offers aswell i mean 8.9ltrs per 100kms that aint bad for the size and weight of the vehicle but anyway thats my opinion
Thank you Dave for a voice of reason. Anything SUV that seats a third row of passengers requires those passengers to be sitting in the boot with their heads on the back window and there goes the load space. If you want to put three kiddie seats in a Tarago (same $ second hand as a new Stavic) you have to use the whole second row because row three has no anchor points and because the only access to the back row is by folding down one of the second row seats you would have to take out one of those safety seats everytime you wanted to use the back row?!
We have four little people to seat and what that big ugly Stavic rear end provides that nothing else in it’s class can is a third row with child safety seat anchor points,(and NOTHING else we could find had this) a third row that can be accessed without folding down and climbing over a second row and enough room beind the third row for a stroller and the groceries. The choice we had was a marvelously economical and practical family wagon with a big bum or a prettier 7 seater that was no bloody practical use to a large family at all. You’re all focussing on the look and maybe they could do something with it but from the inside the priorities are very different. Might I also suggest that 2.7 diesel will be just run in around the point some of the Stavics petrol powered competitors will be on their second motor? (to the tune of “The Carnival is Over” ;-) say no more)
Thank you Dave and Brendan. I am looking at buying a Stavic today and read these comments with a sinking heart until I reached yours. We have 8 year old twins, a 6 year old and a baby on the way. Looking for an appropriate car has been nothing short of painful!!!! The vast majority of people movers that are aimed at families like ours have literaly no luggage room. I mean not even enough to fit a good pram and three school bags – our every day requirement not to mention groceries etc etc and this is every day not going away. The only thing we have found comparable in size and price is the Kia Carnival Grand. The Stavic feels more like a car (not entirely I know) than the Carnival and has some added luxuries which is nice for the parents who yes are sacrificing looks for practicality. Lets face it a Carnival wouldn’t win a beauty contest either! We spoke to a taxi driver who has a Stavic and says it is the best he has owned, it has just done 400,000 kms has required no mechanical work other than your normal filters, brake pads etc. It is looking like he might need a new gear box soon. I am not a car person (another reason this has been a painful process) and I know nothing about motors etc but combine that with the fuel econamy of the 2.7 diesel this has to be positive for the family budget!. We do all look at cars for different reasons and larger families must look for practicality and often budget!
I own a 4WD stavic for 2 years now. Not much of problem… Well changed front windscreen once due to a small crack near the A pillar (followed too close behind a truck). Quite contented with it. I only have 2 kids and they never gives me problem cuz got their own ‘playground’ in the people mover. Even a 400 miles (5 hours) drive are just so relaxing and the kids are as fresh when arriving at the destination. My first look about Stavic was eww…! But after considering the whole package that it offers, just can’t resist. Now, I don’t think it looks eww.. anymore. I am proud to drive one and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Again, we are a family of 6, and recently arrived from europe. The Stavic in europe is a hugh seller, very pracical, fuel efficient ( diesel ), and most of all for our little darlings hugh on safety and comfort. We purchased one today from City ssangyong after exhausting our efforts (out of curiosity) to find one to match it for all mentioned above. It’s very sad that people still go on looks, a.k.a face value and don’t care to look closer to home to find the real meaning of beauty is only skin deep ! !. This s.u.v. can and will only go from strength to strength here, as it did in europe, riding the storm of negative comments about looks, and letting i’ts performance and price speak for i’ts self. From a very proud owner of a Ssangyong Stavic, built for reliability and comfort.
There just people who have nothing else to do on their lunchtime but write rubbish comments on a car and jump to conclusions. Write whatever you like about the Stavic, but its a great car which is packaged well for big families. After owning one for 3 1/2 years and just a tad under 100,000 kms. I can still it is still one of the best well put together car in the market for its class. Sure you can buy a mundane looking Carnival but you will pay heaps for running cost and maintenance cost (our car before we bought the stavic). Worse vehicle in terms of reliability. Where else can you find a car this size that can do 9ltrs/ 100 kms with 7 passengers plus all their luggages.
I just bought one here in Peru. Great Van!!. We have here just the 11 seat model. You can take all your family members plus your in laws!! The Stavic is very practical, fuel efficient. The price was US$ 38,999 with leather seats, tinted windows + turbo timer.
Hi Tom!
Hope it’s going well.
I am a SsangYong salesman and I have never lost a Stavic sale over looks. I really believe it to be the most underrated car on the market. It has no competitors for size, fuel economy or reliability. Yes, reliability! I have sold all the major people movers during my time in the industry (Tarago, Carnival, Voyager etc) and SsangYong beats them all for build quality and reliability. Yes, even the Toyota. Don’t assume that because the name sounds funny that it isn’t a quality product.
I went for a test drive and I love it. Yes of course the interior couldn’t win the nissan presage but looking at the room stavic have, I would love to be the one who is sitting behind rather than driving. I am considering this car for sure but a bit worried about the spareparts problem after a long run. It is still a diesel and diesel car wouldn’t last long. Agree?
No se si alguine lea esto en español, pero lo pensamos mucho antes de decidirnos.
Somos una familia de 5 ( 3 niños ) y es el mejor carro que hemos tenido:: confortable, economico, facil de manejar.
Puede que no sea el más bello pero no hay perfeccion y con gasolina de US$ 3.5 / galon la belleza es lo mque menos importa si puedes tener una carro diesel .
I LOVE the back…it is so different from the other mindless trash out there that it just screams futuristic, sci-fi & a difference in thought
I’ll second, third, fouth ad infintium all the positive comments made – let all the rest get suckered in by the dumb blondes, my Stavic is our family hero. Had it for about 16 months now – first service at 10k, this is just one saving we made. But considering that the closest car in luxury fitout (we’ve got the Limited model with leather heated seats etc) was a Tarago or VW at about $70k, our ~$45k Stavic was a bargain. We have 5 kids – 3 older, two in baby seats (when we bought it). As mentioned – this is the ONLY car in its class that has the 2 captains seats in the middle to allow the older kids to walk through the middle to their seats in the back. Our second car is a Holden Zafira, which was the family car before this. The Stavic feels like a touring bus in comparison. We fit a large, double pram in the back, as well as a few bags, any shopping and heaps more (* without having to fold down seats to do this!).
It’s simple – if you want to be vain, buy one of the inferior “pretty” products out there. But if you’re a large family, get over the looks because this is the best buy you’ll make in a long time. And when people point and laugh, have a quiet giggle of your own while sitting in pure luxury!
Just had to write because of the several comments about ugliness, who I am sure have never owned one. We have had one for 2 years and it is the best choice I have ever made. We had new born twins (plus 2 other kids), it is pretty well the only one that could easily fit a double pram, whilst actually carrying children. The diesel engine is gives performance and absolute power whilst Kia’s ting their way up hills, like a truck the SSangyong powers on. You don’t feel like your sitting on the road or dash like the Tarago. And the standard additions put others to shame, considering its price. And anyway, I wonder if the negative commenters think the Tarago is a good-looking car?
The Tarago isn’t a good looking car, but it isn’t bad either. It is sort of anonymous in its styling. Infact, like all Toyotas, it has no style. To many, that is a good thing. The Stavic on the other hand looks HIDEOUS, so hideous infact it stands out like a particularly ugly example of a smashed thumb, and people turn to gawk and gasp at its ugliness as its massive unmissable shape trundles past. It may be a good, practical car, it may be a bargain, but I am sure its complete dearth of appealing styling turns potential buyers off before even going near a SsangYong dealership in the first place, so they’ll never find out. And I am sure its resale value would be pretty horrific too. Looking at it parked in your drive would give you zero pride of ownership (except among rare other Stavic owners, sympathetic to your lack of choice). It is soulless, whitegoods on wheels. It’s the sort of car you buy purely for function, no other reason, and you have to put up with its styling because there is no other choice. To everyone else, it’s an object of ridicule.
After having a Nissan Patrol 4wd for the last 20 years and 600.000km and being 73years of age we decided in January 2008 to purchase a Stavic 2wd Automatic, we have had problems with the automatic gear stuck in limb mode at 24000km and we were unable to reset the safety mode and had the car towed back for 560km to the dealer. The car got stuck again in automatic limb mode at 30.000km on 4th February 2009 however this time we were able to reset the safety mode and have it checked out under warranty. We purchased the car for its size, economy and comfort and are very happy in that regard. We have removed the third row of seats, carry all our gear and are able to sleep in the car in case of emergency on the many Australian outback trips we do every year, our average consumption over 30.000km is approx 10.2km/Ltr, our best consumption on the long trips is 13.2km/Ltr, our worst consumption is 8.10km/Ltr around town. Our biggest worry is the automatic limb mode, otherwise we are very happy with the car.Lookd do not worry us, we cannot all be good looking
I’m looking at the main 9 people movers at the moment getting ready to purchase one to replace my 5 year old Kia Carnival. The Carnival engine blew up at 65,000km. Mostly it’s been reliable and great, but every now and then it reminds me that it’s getting old and needs replacing – like when the gasket blew on the engine again last week and needed towing… I’m seriously looking at the Ssangyong, however am put off by the diesel engine. Aren’t they REALLY expensive to service and fix? Everything else about the car, even the rear, I love.
In 2005, I was working at the Brisbane Motor Show and thought I’d look for people movers as our 4 kids were now too big to fit into the extra seats in our Falcon wagon. I saw the Stavic and walked straight past as I thought it was damn ugly. After checking out all the competitors and finding to get anything decent would cost $70k, I thought I should check out the Stavic. I was sold on the practicality of it. The back 2 rows can move forward or back depending on your need for leg room or luggage space. There was heaps of room for luggage on a long trip with 6 people. You can walk through the centre to the rear seats instead of having to fold seats down. I bought one and can honestly say it has been the best car we’ve ever owned. Apart from a loose lamp wire when we bought it, we have not had a single problem with the car and the servicing costs are quite reasonable. On fuel economy, I bought a Camry as a work car based on it’s stated economy. I consistently get 250 to 300 km more per tank in the Stavic versus the Camry with only 5 litres more fuel. The power is great. Even with 6 kids and a heavy trailer behind, the Stavic powers up mountain ranges effortlessly. Almost 4 years on, I still can’t see any competition that comes close to the value of the Stavic.
I’ve owned a stavic now for nearly 5 years and have found it to be a great car. The only downfall to having a car like this is that the parts are hard to come by for e.g. to find tyres there’s only two brands to choose from, Kumho’s, and Hankook. The brakes are hard to get if you don’t know where to look and when you change the brakes the rotors need changing at the same time because of excessive wear from using original pads. At the moment im going through this problem of sourcing these parts and so far have only found the pads and no rotor disks. God give me strength to carry on with this. The stavic also has this annoying case of using too much oil; within 7000km it would use 1.27L which is the marks between the dipstick. The engines been striped and nothing found to be causing the problem, on further investigation Ssangyong have said it is well within usage parameter. As 2L/1000km is acceptable what a crock of you know what. Oh one more thing if you get a service technician that comes out and says you need to drive the car harder because its a diesel and the precedes to take you and your family for a gentle high speed cruise around the block to show you how to drive it, give the idiot a gentle clip around the noggin for me.
Well what can I say about the Stavic. I have owned one for 4 years and have traveled from Perth to Tassie and back and most recent from Perth to Exmouth and back thru Tom Price back in to perth. I have 5 Children and with the 15″ DVD and all the room in the back it has kept the kids intertained.
The vehicle is a pleasure to drive and the running cost are very good (except for brakes). The diesel engine is very quite and powerfull and I am geting 10+l per 100km.
I will keep this vehicle for another couple of years and will definalty buy another as there is no other vehicle out there which has the same features at the price of the Stavic.
Once you drive the Stavic you forget aboout the looks which I say is great anyway