Few countries have seen such a spectacular rise in the quality of the cars they produce as Korea.

The improvement in technology, build quality and sheer style of cars coming out of East Asia over the past decade has been awe-inspiring.

Companies like Hyundai and Kia have risen to the challenge of selling into the demanding European motoring market and have learned their lessons at incredible speed, producing vehicles which are not only superb value for money, but also excellent to drive.

A less well known Korean car maker is SsangYong, which has its roots firmly in the rough, tough, rugged end of the market. It has been building vehicles for more than 50 years, initially making 4x4s for the US Army, and a range of trucks and buses.

Its forte has been constructing vehicles — often based on Mercedes-Benz components —that can cope with heavy loads and punishing unmade roads. The first SsangYong Korando I drove back in the late 1990s was firmly in that mould — capably rugged, with few frills and a tangibly military feel.

The third generation Korando is an altogether more sophisticated package, but then it needs to be, as its rivals, including the Hyundai ix35 and Kia Sportage have significantly raised the quality bar for Korean crossovers.

First, it looks good. Styled by Italian car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, of Ital Design, it is without doubt the best-looking SsangYong so far. It is also the most comfortable, with a decent blend of responsive handling and ride comfort. Inside it is much more refined.

That’s not to say it is rattle-free, because it is not, and there is also plenty of hard plastic dotted around the cabin. But instrumentation is clear and switchgear is logically laid out, though the steering column-mounted indicator and wiper stalks are arranged at an eccentrically jaunty angle. Luxury touches designed to entice European buyers range from roof rails, tinted glass and rear parking sensors, to a leather-covered steering wheel and gearstick, and cruise control.

And in the centre of the dashboard sits an all-singing and dancing, six-speaker Kenwood hi-fi, complete with Bluetooth phone link, and irritatingly fiddly little buttons. But anyone buying a Korando will be more interested in grip and grunt than graciousness and grandeur and on those fronts it has plenty to offer.

Power comes from a 149 horsepower, 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine, delivering two-tonne towing capability. The four-wheel-drive system, which constantly monitors the level of grip available, distributes power to the wheels that need it most. So under normal driving conditions the engine’s torque is directed to the front wheels, but if the front tyres begin to lose traction, power is automatically fed to the rear. An all-wheel-drive lock mode is also provided when low-speed traction and control is needed. The Korando is also available in a two-wheel-drive version, priced from about £17,000, and both come with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.

Auto facts SsangYong Korando SX

  • Price: £18,795
  • Insurance group:
  • 19 (1-50)
  • Fuel consumption: (Combined): 45.6mpg
  • Top speed:       116mph
  • Length: 441cm/173.6in
  • Width: 183cm/72in
  • Luggage capacity:
  • 17.1 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity:
  • 12.5 gallons/         57 litres
  • CO2 emissions:   157g/km
  • Warranty: Five years/unlimited mileage