While many of its marques were dismissed years ago as cheap and nasty, South Korean vehicle manufacturers have become powerhouses on the world stage. Companies like Kia and Hyundai now sell cars that are at the cutting edge of technology and quality, making it easy to overlook SsangYong. The company formed a collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, and the fruit of this approach was vehicles like this 1998 SsangYong Korando. It is a tidy Mini SUV that has spent its life in a favorable location. It recently received some mechanical TLC and is ready to find a new home. The seller has listed the Korando here on eBay in Tampa, Florida. They set their price at $17,000 with the option to make an offer.

While many manufacturers derive model names from wildlife or geographic locations, the Korando handle is an abbreviation of the expression “Korea Can Do.” It was designed to not only instill national pride but to shout to the world that SsangYong was determined to become a major player in automotive design and manufacturing. Sadly, the Korando didn’t meet the company’s sales projections, which is disappointing considering that it possessed a fair amount of Mercedes-Benz know-how under the skin. The first owner ordered this classic in Code SAB Pertinent Silver, and it remains in excellent condition. The Korando has spent its life in a dry Mediterranean location, making it surprising that the paint hasn’t developed a matte or patchy appearance. The panels are straight, and the dry climate has protected the vehicle from rust. The color-matched nudge bar adds a sense of purpose, and the glass is clear.

In keeping with its aspirational approach, the Korando was nicely equipped for a vehicle of this type and age. It only lacks air conditioning, with the buyer receiving power operation for the windows, locks, and mirrors. There is cloth upholstery, a tilt wheel, side window defoggers, faux woodgrain trim, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player with rear speakers. Early Korean cars developed a reputation for trim deterioration, but SsangYong lifted its game considerably with the Korando. Mercedes greatly influenced this change when the Musso hit the market, and these vehicles benefitted from that approach. The door is missing from the cassette player, but the rest of the interior is in excellent condition. There is no wear or physical damage, and the plastic hasn’t waved the white flag in the face of the Mediterranean sun.

Peering below the surface reveals the real story of the Korando. It utilizes a 2.3-liter turbo diesel four that was manufactured under license from Mercedes-Benz. Effectively identical to the OM601 unit, it produces a healthy 101hp and 151 ft/lbs of torque. The ponies feed to the road via a five-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. Power steering was standard fare, while ABS improved stopping performance. The seller indicates that this classic has the equivalent of 72,500 genuine miles on its metric odometer, and recently received new fluids, along with a new clutch and master cylinder. Potential buyers can consider it a turnkey proposition that will comfortably top 30mpg. Therefore, it could function as an effective daily driver.

Although the SsangYong name has now disappeared from the automotive landscape, it effectively still operates under the KG Mobility brand. That is good news for potential buyers, meaning that parts remain readily available. The relative rarity of these vehicles in North America makes placing a value on this 1998 Korando virtually impossible. This is a case where the vehicle is worth whatever someone is willing to pay. Interestingly, fifty-one people have placed it on their Watch List, but whether this is due to genuine interest or curiosity is a matter of conjecture. Considering its Mercedes underpinnings, is this a Mini SUV that you might consider pursuing further?