I love the sat nav on SsangYong’s Korando SUV and, unlike those nasally women who cannot pronounce place names properly, she is American.

“In 300 yards, take the freeway,” she instructs me. Later, she commands: “Go left at the rotary and take the first exit.”

How exotic. How eccentric. The trans-Atlantic idioms fairly liven up the banal drive from Cumbernauld to East Kilbride. Perhaps I have accidentally clicked my heels together and am on my way to Kansas.

The Korando is Korean car maker SsangYong’s large SUV – not quite as big as the Rexton, which is very plush inside, and without the massive size of the Musso, the company’s big pick-up – but certainly large enough for a good-sized family.

The SsangYong Korando

It has an imposing presence with a sleek profile, silver roof bars and an integrated rear spoiler. The chrome on the front grille is echoed at the rear on the neat remote-powered tailgate, which opens to reveal a massive boot space that can be increased to 1248 litres.

This automatic version in the top-of-the-range Ultimate trim sits on 19in alloys.

Inside, it is really sumptuous. The seats are leather with plenty of room in the rear for the tin man, the cowardly lion and the scarecrow. I am sure they would be amazed by the countless goodies SsangYong has managed to stuff into this car.

The SsangYong Korando

Certainly, the “blaze cockpit” is stunning. Three 3D lights wrap around it, inspired apparently by classical string instruments and, while the display in my car is red, there are 34 different mood lighting options.

The centrepiece of this display is the nine-inch screen that houses the
sat nav, radio, rear-view camera, Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Below, there is a USB port and 12v connection.

Nearby is the command dial for the Sport and Normal modes you can switch to plus a third mode, Winter, for those mornings when it’s difficult to get started.

Although this car is the front-wheel drive-option – there is an all-wheel drive available – switch it into Winter mode and you get extra traction. For some people, this will be all they need and it is extremely useful should you ever need to follow the yellow brick road on an icy day.

The SsangYong Korando

The seats are heated, as is the steering wheel, and many of the functions on the infotainment screen are mirrored on the steering wheel for safety. There is also an auto hold function for hill starts.

The Korean company has not stinted on much in this car, which comes with forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, high beam assist, an emergency stop signal (which
automatically puts on the hazards when you are forced to brake suddenly), adaptive puddle lamps, cruise control – the list would take you to Oz and back.

The drive is calm, collected and comfortable and nothing like Dorothy’s plunge back home. You’ll find it – not somewhere over the rainbow – but in your local SsangYong (which means double dragon) dealership.

Factfile:

  • Model: SsangYong Korando Ultimate 1.5 Petrol Automatic 2WD
  • Engine: 1.5-litre petrol
  • Power: 163PS
  • Top speed: 117mph
  • 0-60mph: 12 seconds
  • Average mpg: 35.8
  • CO2 emissions: 162g/km
  • Warranty: Seven years/150,000 miles
  • Price: £28,345