SsangYong Tivoli Review 2026
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SsangYong Tivoli Verdict
Well equipped and seriously well priced. Hard to fault the build quality when you consider the price. Diesel is affordable to run.
Not the most recognisable brand name. Some of the material quality isn't great in the cabin. Petrol engine has fairly high emissions.
Find out more about the SsangYong Tivoli
Insurance Group 16
On average it achieves 78% of the official MPG figure
With a budget price tag and a largely unknown badge, the SsangYong Tivoli might seem cheap and cheerful – but it’s much better than that. With space for a family, plenty of standard equipment and impressive material quality it’s easily the best car SsangYong has ever made - and it’s good enough to give rival crossovers from the likes of Renault and Nissan something to worry about.
It’s a more practical car than the similarly-priced Nissan Juke, with space in the back row for adults to sit in comfort and a good-sized 423-litre boot, which is only let down by a high load lip. In the cabin there are plenty of cubby holes and usefully-sized storage bins, including a glovebox designed to house a laptop and a centre storage bin big enough for an iPad.
The interior quality of the Tivoli is head and shoulders above anything SsangYong has made previously. Materials throughout the cabin are fairly plush and durable, plus there is good quality leather upholstery on all but entry-level SE models. It also gets heated seats, Bluetooth connectivity and a user-friendly, well-integrated touchscreen system.
There are two 1.6-litre engines – one petrol and one diesel. The 128PS petrol needs to be worked hard to deliver useful performance and it isn’t the most frugal petrol engine on the market, but it has enough power for rural roads or motorways. The 115PS diesel, while a little coarse, is better thanks to a torque output almost twice that of the petrol and reasonable economy of 65.7mpg.
Ride comfort is good, while grip levels and handling are acceptable. An enthusiastic driver won’t necessarily relish driving the Tivoli, especially compared to the Nissan Juke, but most will find it perfectly capable and easy to drive, whether in town, on the motorway or on a rural road.
It might have a few shortcomings, but thanks to a well-made, family-friendly cabin and a very generous level of standard equipment they are easily forgiven. Factor in the very competitive pricing starting at less than £13,000, along with an impressive seven-year warranty and the SsangYong Tivoli starts to look like an absolute bargain.
SsangYong Tivoli 1.6 petrol ELX 2015 Road Test
Reviews for SsangYong Tivoli's top 3 rivals
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SsangYong Tivoli handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.2 to 1.6 D (2020)
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 31–60 mpg
The Tivoli is available with either a 1.6-litre 128PS petrol or a 1.6-litre 115PS diesel, both of which suit the car very well. Each has a slick-shifting six-speed manual as standard, but a six-speed automatic is optional, as is an on-demand all-wheel drive system. This is designed to help keep the car on the road in poor weather, or for light off-road use rather than for really challenging terrain.
The petrol engine makes do without a turbocharger, so is less punchy at lower engine speeds than the small petrol engines available in the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur, but it is still smooth and quiet around town. Peak torque is 160Nm at 4600rpm, so you have to work the engine quite hard when accelerating up to motorway speeds or overtaking.
Unfortunately that means it can get a little loud. But when cruising on the motorway, driving on a country road or stopping and starting in town, it remains fairly quiet for the most part. It’s the same story with the diesel, which is generally subdued at a cruise but is loud when pushed hard for overtakes. Unfortuantely it also has the disadvantage of typical diesel clatter when the engine is idling.
On the plus side the diesel has a hefty 320Nm of torque from 1500rpm, so it’s well suited to overtaking and is easier to get along with than the petrol on a twisting country road. It's more frugal than the petrol and it’s cheaper to run too, thanks to its emissions of 113g/km and claimed economy of 65.7mpg for the manual front-wheel drive model. The equivalent petrol manages an official 44.1mpg with 149g/km.
SsangYong has prioritised comfort over sharp handling with the Tivoli, so the ride quality is impressive. Ripples, speedbumps and potholes are dealt with fairly well, though the larger 18-inch wheels on EX and ELX trim levels create more road noise and thud over ripples and potholes more than the 16-inch wheels on the basic SE model.
There is some body roll through corners but it is never alarming. The steering is fairly accurate and its weight can be altered with a button. It's best suited to rural British roads in the normal or sport settings, since it is a little on the light side in the comfort mode. However this can be useful in town or when pulling out of a tight parking space.
Depending on trim level both the petrol and diesel variants are optionally offered with four wheel drive, a six-speed automatic transmission or a combination of both. The automatic is smooth and fairly responsive, but it does have a rather dated-looking shifter, with a tiny, button-based manual override that isn’t great to use compared to the more modern paddles seen on rival models.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | 48 mpg | - | 158 g/km |
| 1.5 | 43 mpg | - | 164 g/km |
| 1.5 Automatic | 40 mpg | - | 175 g/km |
| 1.6 | 39–44 mpg | - | 149–166 g/km |
| 1.6 Automatic | 38–44 mpg | - | 167–171 g/km |
| 1.6 D | 57–66 mpg | - | 113–130 g/km |
| 1.6 D (2020) | 52–57 mpg | - | 146–158 g/km |
| 1.6 D 4WD | 60 mpg | - | 123 g/km |
| 1.6 D Automatic | 48–57 mpg | - | 146–155 g/km |
| 1.6 D Automatic 4WD | 48 mpg | - | 156 g/km |
Real MPG average for the SsangYong Tivoli
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
78%
Real MPG
31–60 mpg
MPGs submitted
31
SsangYong Tivoli interior
- Boot space is 423–1115 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of four stars
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4195–4225 mm |
| Width | 1795 mm |
| Height | 1590–1621 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2600 mm |
The Tivoli marks a big step forward for SsangYong and this is probably most apparent in the cabin. The layout and material quality is as good as you’d find on Korean made cars from more established brands Kia or Hyundai, despite the SsangYong carrying a much lower price tag.
There are a few areas that remind you this car is at the cheaper end of the price scale, including some faux-metal painted plastics. However for the most part the Tivoli is as good as or better than rivals, particularly the unimpressively cheap-feeling Renault Captur.
The centre stack has a clear and sensible layout, as does the instrument binnacle, particularly in the top ELX model with its colourful dial backlighting. There is plenty of space – passengers will be more than happy in the back row thanks to generous head and leg room.
There is a reasonable boot with a capacity of 423 litres, expandable by folding the rear seats forward. However the load area does have quite a high load lip, which might pose problems for those who carry bulky loads or dogs. It also does without a load cover in basic SE trim, though you could purchase one as an accessory.
The cabin has plenty of little cubby holes and storage areas, including bottle holders in the door pockets, a glovebox capable of holding a laptop and a centre storage bin large enough to hide away a tablet computer like an iPad, which can be linked up via USB or AUX.
The Tivoli really shines when it comes to standard equipment. Even the basic SE model comes with air conditioning, alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity and cruise control, but we’d recommend moving up to EX trim. This includes high-quality grey or beige leather upholstery, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, a touch screen system, reversing camera and luggage load area cover.
Standard Equipment:
SE is the basic trim level and includes 16-inch alloy wheels, grey cloth upholstery, cruise control, stop/start (petrol), manual air conditioning and Bluetooth connectivity. It's only available with front-wheel drive and a manual transmission.
EX trim adds larger 18-inch alloy wheels, beige or grey leather upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, seven-inch touchscreen system, a rear view camera, heated front seats, front fog lights and a load area cover. Buyers can optionally specify diesel models with either an automatic transmission or a manual transmission and all-wheel drive.
ELX is the top trim and includes a smart instrument cluster, keyless entry and start, front and rear parking sensors, privacy glass, a rear spoiler, automatic lights and wiper and TomTom navigation. Buyers can optionally specify either engine with front or all-wheel drive, manual or automatic transmission.
EX and ELX buyers can choose 'MyTivoli' customisation options including red leather upholstery and contrasting roof/wheel colours.
SsangYong Tivoli models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4195–4225 mm |
| Width | 1795 mm |
| Height | 1590–1621 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2600 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1270–1500 kg |
| Boot Space | 423–1115 L |
| Warranty | 7 years / 150000 miles |
| Servicing | 10000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £16,995–£22,995 |
| Insurance Groups | 16 |
| Road Tax Bands | C–H |
| Official MPG | 37.7–65.7 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | 4 |
Currently on sale
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| ELX Gdi-T 128 Start/Stop 5dr | £16,995 | 47.9 mpg | - |
| ELX Gdi-T 163 Start/Stop 5dr | £17,495 | 42.8 mpg | - |
| Ultimate DT 136 Auto Start/Stop 5dr | £22,995 | 52.3 mpg | - |
| Ultimate DT 136 Start/Stop 5dr | £21,495 | 56.5 mpg | - |
| Ultimate Gdi-T 163 Auto Start/Stop 5dr | £21,495 | 40.4 mpg | - |
| Ultimate Gdi-T 163 Start/Stop 5dr | £19,995 | 42.8 mpg | - |
| Ventura Gdi-T 128 Start/Stop 5dr | £16,995 | 47.9 mpg | - |
On sale until July 2020
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.6 D ELX 5dr | - | 65.7 mpg | - |
| 1.6 D LE 5dr | - | 56.5 mpg | - |
| 1.6 D LE Auto 5dr | - | 47.9 mpg | - |
| 1.6 D Ultimate 5dr | - | 65.7 mpg | - |
| 1.6 D Ultimate Auto 5dr | - | 56.5 mpg | - |
| 1.6 ELX 5dr | - | 39.2 mpg | - |
| 1.6 EX 5dr | - | 39.2 mpg | - |
| 1.6 LE 5dr | - | 39.2 mpg | - |
| 1.6 LE Auto 5dr | - | 37.7 mpg | - |
| 1.6 SE 5dr | - | 39.2 mpg | - |
| 1.6 Ultimate 5dr | - | 39.2 mpg | - |
| 1.6 Ultimate Auto 5dr | - | 44.1 mpg | - |
On sale until July 2019
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.6 D ELX 4x4 5dr | £19,495 | 60.1 mpg | - |
| 1.6 D ELX 5dr | - | 65.7 mpg | - |
| 1.6 D ELX Auto 4x4 5dr | £21,030 | 47.9 mpg | - |
| 1.6 D ELX Auto 5dr | £19,765 | 51.4 mpg | - |
| 1.6 D ELX Red Edition 5dr | £18,395 | 65.7 mpg | - |
| 1.6 D ELX Red Edition Auto 5dr | £19,915 | 51.4 mpg | - |
| 1.6 D EX 4x4 5dr | £17,995 | 60.1 mpg | - |
| 1.6 D EX 5dr | £16,745 | 65.7 mpg | - |
| 1.6 D EX Auto 5dr | £17,865 | 51.4 mpg | - |
| 1.6 D SE 5dr | £14,745 | 65.7 mpg | - |
| 1.6 D Ultimate 5dr | - | - | - |
| 1.6 D Ultimate Auto 5dr | - | - | - |
| 1.6 ELX 5dr | - | 44.1 mpg | - |
| 1.6 ELX Auto 5dr | £18,065 | 39.2 mpg | - |
| 1.6 EX 5dr | - | 44.1 mpg | - |
| 1.6 EX Auto 5dr | £16,565 | 39.2 mpg | - |
| 1.6 SE 5dr | - | 44.1 mpg | - |
| 1.6 Ultimate 5dr | - | 44.1 mpg | - |
| 1.6 Ultimate Auto 5dr | - | 39.2 mpg | - |
Model History
- January 2015: SsangYong Tivoli unveiled
- May 2017: New safety kit added to Tivoli
- April 2018: Tivoli Ultimate launched
- October 2018: Seven-year, 150,000-mile warranty announced
- April 2019: Updates for SsangYong Tivoli and Tivoli XLV range
- July 2019: Special edition SsangYong Tivoli LE on sale mid-July
January 2015
SsangYong Tivoli unveiled
The new crossover takes its name from Tivoli, the Italian town near Rome with a reputation for style. Noted for its cultural heritage and beautiful location, the gardens at Villa d’Este have inspired many others to use the name, including the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen.
4,195mm long x 1,795mm wide x 1,590mm high on a 2,600mm wheelbase.
Cluster illumination can be personalised to any of six subtle background colours red: blue, sky-blue, yellow, white and black. There are three interior trim colours, black, beige and red, with the red interior package especially designed for customers looking for a sportier ambiance.
Generous luggage space of up to 423 cubic litres is enough to carry three full size golf club bags, and the second row of seats can also be folded fully flat for further carrying capacity.
The powertrain of the Tivoli is compact with the choice of 1.6 litre petrol or diesel engines. In development for over three years, the car has been tested from minus 42 degrees in winter to desert temperatures of over 50 degrees, and with brake testing in mountain altitudes of up to 4,000 metres.
Other notable features include an advanced timing chain to limit engine noise, and for the first time in Korea, the application of an aluminum bed plate with high press die-casting to the bottom section of the cylinder block to increase engine strength and durability.
An AISIN 6-speed automatic transmission is also available on Tivoli. Already well proven, this unit is engineered to improve fuel efficiency and minimise power loss. Gear ratios range from 0.67 through to 4.04 help to transfer power smoothly through the gear changes, and further contribute to minimising vibration and noise.
The Electric Smart Steer system, fitted as standard, offers three different steering modes - Normal, Comfort and Sport. A double skin insulated bulkhead between the engine bay and the cabin, also minimises the ingress of engine noise.
Additional active safety features include ESP (Electronic Stability Program), LED daytime running lights, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
Tivolis come with seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, and an advanced seat belt system with dual pre-tensioners, which automatically tightens the belt to hold passengers in place during an impact to prevent injury.
The principal concept supporting the Tivoli’s infotainment system is that it optimises the technology available via smart devices. By simply connecting your smart phone with the HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable, videos and music can be streamed to the 7 inch display screen, which is also linked with a rear view camera.
Tivoli features a dual zone air conditioning system with temperature that can be adjusted to seven different levels. It can also be set to three different modes, plus a memory function. There’s a smart key entry and locking facility, and a six sensor (two front and four rear) park-assist system to aid safe and convenient parking.
Additional standard convenience features include a luggage screen, one-touch automatic windscreen wash/wipe, and automatic hazard warning light activation, while a safety sunroof, cruise control, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlight activation, and ECM interior rear view mirror are also available.
|
£12,950 £14,200 £14,600 £15,600 £15,850 £16,850 £17,100 £16,000 £17,000 £17,250 £18,250 £18,500 £19,500 |
May 2017
New safety kit added to Tivoli
Safety features available include Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking System, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assistance, and Traffic Sign Recognition.
Further enhancements for both driver and passengers include a fully adjustable steering wheel for rake and reach, improved ventilation for the front seat passengers, and reclining rear seats for optimum comfort on long journeys. A new 2-position base for the boot floor also provides increased load carrying practicality and flexibility.
April 2018
Tivoli Ultimate launched
Powered by a 1.6 litre petrol engine, the Ultimate trim features an electrically operated and ventilated driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, and facelift enhancements to the front including LED foglamps. Further differences over the standard car include a repositioned handbrake and minor changes to the switchgear.
The Tivoli Ultimate costs £17,495 or £18,745 with automatic transmission. It comes with leather upholstery, keyless starting, parking sensors and reversing camera, cruise control, electric windows, smart steering, a 7-inch touch screen with RDS radio, iPod & Bluetooth connectivity, TomTom navigation, diamond cut alloy wheels and dual-zone air conditioning. The Style option is also available and adds a white or black roof, spoiler and wing mirrors and costs £40
October 2018
Seven-year, 150,000-mile warranty announced
SsangYong introduces upgraded warranty for all its models. Covers all major mechanical components including wheel bearings, suspension joints and bushes, steering joints and shock absorbers. Wearable components such as clutch discs and brake pads are covered for one year of 12,500 miles. Battery and paintwork covered for three years.
April 2019
Updates for SsangYong Tivoli and Tivoli XLV range
SsangYong is introducing some new enhancements to its compact SUV range of Tivoli and Tivoli XLV, the most significant of which being the introduction of Euro 6 C petrol and diesel engines.
Available with either a 1.6 litre petrol or diesel engine, the new Tivoli comes with air conditioning, steel or alloy wheels, cruise control, up to seven airbags, Bluetooth connectivity and remote keyless entry. Prices for the Tivoli SE petrol start from £14,495.
Sharing the same platform and wheelbase as the Tivoli, the XLV ‘estate’ features a lengthened body and an expanded load capacity of 720 cubic litres of space. Comprehensively equipped, it also comes with a choice of either a 1.6 litre petrol or diesel engine, and the option of a 6-speed manual or 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission. Prices start from £19,745 for the spacious Tivoli XLV Ultimate petrol manual.
All models other than the Tivoli XLV receive a freshly styled rear bumper with chrome inserts, AEBS (Autonomous Emergency Braking System), an upgrade to the 7” screen, ‘smart audio’ which now includes DAB and Carplay/Android Auto (on ELX and above), which were previously available on the top of the range Ultimate models. All Tivoli models also now feature a variable speed Hill Descent Control while the Ultimate models also now feature ‘auto closing’ linked to the remote central locking.
There will now be eight Tivoli models to choose from and four Tivoli XLVs. This includes the Tivoli SE and EX, both petrol powered, ELX petrol or diesel, and the Ultimate which is available as a petrol or diesel and with manual or automatic transmission.
The Tivoli XLV is available in Ultimate specification, and with the choice of petrol and diesel, manual or automatic.
|
TIVOLI |
SE |
EX |
ELX |
ELX |
Ultimate |
Ultimate |
Ultimate |
Ultimate |
|
Basic price in delivery |
11,604 |
12,437 |
13,687 |
14,937 |
15,354 |
15,925 |
16,604 |
17,175 |
|
VAT @ 20% |
2,321 |
2,488 |
2,738 |
2,988 |
3,071 |
3,185 |
3,321 |
3,435 |
|
First year VED |
515 |
515 |
515 |
515 |
515 |
830 |
515 |
830 |
|
First registration fee |
55 |
55 |
55 |
55 |
55 |
55 |
55 |
55 |
|
On the Road |
£14,495 |
£15,495 |
£16,995 |
£18,495 |
£18,995 |
£19,995 |
£20,495 |
£21,495 |
|
TIVOLI XLV |
Ultimate |
Ultimate |
Ultimate |
Ultimate |
|
Basic price inc delivery |
15,979 |
16,550 |
17,229 |
17,800 |
|
VAT @ 20% |
3,196 |
3,310 |
3,446 |
3,560 |
|
First year VED |
515 |
830 |
515 |
830 |
|
First registration fee |
55 |
55 |
55 |
55 |
|
On the Road |
£19,745 |
£20,745 |
£21,245 |
£22,245 |
July 2019
Special edition SsangYong Tivoli LE on sale mid-July
SsangYong Motors UK is launching a special edition Tivoli. Buyers can now purchase the Tivoli LE, with cars arriving in dealerships from mid-July.
The new Tivoli LE, based on the existing ELX derivative, has the look of the brand's top spec Ultimate model on the outside which features a black roof, power folding mirrors with integrated indicators, black diamond cut 18-inch alloys and a rear spoiler.
Prices start from £17,745 for the Tivoli LE petrol manual. A diesel Tivoli LE diesel is priced at £19,245 with manual transmission and £20,245 with automatic transmission.
The special edition is available in a new vibrant colour “Orange Pop” and also existing colours to the Tivoli range, Space Black and Silent Silver, all come with black wheels and black roof. The metallic paint is now standard.
What to watch out for
Complaint of obstructive transmission in new Tivoli 1.6 ELX. Difficult change from first to second.
19-08-2015:Gearchange problems with month old 450 mile Tivoli 1.6 ELX (above) thought to be alignment of the gearbox or the selectors. SsangYong dealers demonstrator had the same fault.
21-08-2015:Gearbox of reader's Tivoli (above) being replaced with a new one.
24-10-2015:Light coloured leather trim discolours quickly.
11-06-2017:Report of parking brake of Ssangyong Tivoli failing on a hill.
