SsangYong is no stranger to SUVs, having offered them since it first arrived in the UK market in the 1990s. So when it launched the compact Tivoli in 2016 it was no great surprise, and had the same qualities as the brand had always offered: value for money, practicality, and generous equipment levels.
The Tivoli has another ace up its sleeve in that SsangYong offers seven-year warranties on its models, so depending on the car you buy, it may still have quite a few years left of its warranty. So while the Tivoli isn’t the most stylish small SUV, nor the best to drive, it could make a reassuring used purchase.
In terms of size and shape the Tivoli is pitched between the Nissan Juke and Nissan Qashqai, or not dissimilar to the similarly value-led Suzuki Vitara. In terms of practicality and value though, several Dacia models may also be on your radar, including the Duster, Logan MCV, and Jogger. Remember too that Kia also offers a seven-year warranty, so an older Kia Sportage may be an option.
There are two key reasons why the Tivoli might stand out as a used car. One is that it’s just a good, straightforward compact SUV with the kind of chunky styling, raised seating position, and relatively practical cabin (especially in longer XLV form) that buyers like. The other is that it may well have several years of SsangYong’s generous seven-year, 150,000-mile warranty left (which was introduced in 2018, so look for models registered after October that year), which really reduces the risk of buying a used car.
It’s decent enough to drive too, with responsive handling and light, easy steering, and while the ride is firm it’s not uncomfortably stiff, so you’ll probably get on with the way it behaves easily enough. The cabin design is similarly inoffensive and straightforward, with decent quality to the fittings.
Throw in useful levels of equipment and the Tivoli will tick a lot of boxes for family buyers. The engine range is nothing special but nor will it punish you with sluggish performance or poor economy - the Tivoli is competitive if not class leading in both these areas.
Reliability shouldn’t be a big issue either, nor insurance costs, and again we have to point out that long warranty on later models. The Tivoli’s just a sensible all-rounder; not a car you’ll necessarily remember for years to come, but one that works in the here and now as a used buy.
Another brand that prioritises value is Dacia, and its Duster is probably closest to the Tivoli in ethos as an SUV, but is a touch larger and has a more back-to-basics feel. The Dacia Logan MCV and later Jogger are also great value. In terms of SUVs, you’re spoiled for choice, but a forgotten alternative is the Suzuki Vitara, which drives well, looks good in a chunky kind of way, and is very frugal even without a diesel engine.
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Higher-spec variants of the Tivoli really show off the model’s value, and because it’s affordable to start with (and more so as a used vehicle), it makes sense to splash out a bit and benefit from the extra equipment these come with. ELX and above get touchscreen infotainment systems but bear in mind that SsangYong juggled a few features around as it updated the Tivoli, so some later models are missing kit that earlier ones offered - have a look at our trim levels section below for more information.
We’d avoid the earlier 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine which needs to be worked hard and isn’t that pleasant to listen to. The diesel’s a bit rattly too but it’s frugal at least (later models got more power and are worth seeking out), while the later 1.2 and 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol units are easier-going than the early petrol.
SsangYong Tivoli 1.2T Petrol: With a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol the Tivoli makes 128PS through a manual gearbox, with no automatic option. Ssangyong doesn’t quote a 0-62mph figure but combined economy is 40.4mpg.
SsangYong Tivoli 1.5T Petrol: Like the 1.2 petrol the larger 163PS 1.5-litre turbo petrol has no official 0-62mph figure, but gets 39.2mpg with a manual gearbox and 36.7mpg with the optional automatic.
SsangYong Tivoli 1.6 Petrol: Offered in older Tivolis, the non-turbo petrol 1.6 produced 128PS, for 0-62mph in 12 seconds as a manual and 11 seconds as an automatic. Combined mpg was 39.2 for the manual and 37.7mpg for the auto.
SsangYong Tivoli 1.6 Diesel: The 1.6-litre turbodiesel originally made 115PS and was uprated to 136PS in later models, though only the earlier cars have an acceleration figure, of 12 seconds from 0-62mph whether manual or automatic. Economy was 56.5mpg and 47.9mpg for the manual and auto 115PS, and 50.4mpg and 47.1mpg for the manual and auto 136PS diesel.
SsangYong offered a wide range of trim levels on the Tivoli, though the lineup has changed slightly over time. The Tivoli is still on sale, now under the KGM brand, but here we’re concentrating on the models you’re likely to find most frequently on the used market, up to around 2022. Equipment levels may have changed since that date.
The SsangYong Tivoli SE got fabric seat trim, keyless entry, cruise control, air conditioning, a radio with Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, and 16-inch steel wheels with covers.
The SsangYong Tivoli EX stepped up to leather-look seats with heating for the front seats, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Later models got DAB radio, USB and Aux inputs for the stereo, and a suite of extra safety features, but did downgrade to steel wheels with covers and had no seat heating, more like the earlier SE.
The SsangYong Tivoli ELX got driver seat height adjustment, a leather height and reach-adjustable steering wheel, dual-zone air conditioning, a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rear parking camera, front foglights, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Later ELXs also got heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, but had smaller 16-inch alloys and single-zone air conditioning.
The SsangYong Tivoli Ventura was introduced alongside the later turbocharged petrol engines. To the later ELX spec it added a smart key with a starter button, auto headlights and wipers, LED front fog lights, and rear parking sensors.
The SsangYong Tivoli Ultimate built on earlier ELX spec with leather seats, privacy glass, keyless start, auto headlights and wipers, power folding door mirrors, a 7-inch touchscreen with navigation, a rear spoiler, LED foglights, 18-inch diamond-cut alloys, and front and rear parking sensors. Later Ultimates got a 10.25-inch TFT driver display, driving modes on automatic models, and dual-zone air con.
The SsangYong Tivoli XLV is the longer variant of the Tivoli and had a spec as per the Ultimate, but added rear heated seats.
The SsangYong Tivoli’s dimensions are:
Length: 4195mm (XLV 4440mm
Width: 1795mm (without mirrors, XLV 1798mm)
Height: 1590mm (XLV 1635mm)
The SsangYong Tivoli’s boot size is:
423 litres
720 litres XLV
The Tivoli was introduced in 2016, a year before the April 2017 date when VED or ‘road tax’ moved to a fixed rate system. All models covered here will cost you £180 a year (at current rates) on the fixed VED system, while models prior to April 2017 are based on CO2 instead. Cheapest to tax will be a diesel with the manual gearbox; at 130g/km, it’d currently cost you £150 per year.
Tivoli insurance shouldn’t prove too expensive. With the earlier engine range comprising 1.6-litre petrol and diesel models, it covered insurance groups 13-17 depending on specification. Later 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol models in Ventura and Ultimate trim were still no more than groups 19-20.