Vehicle
Our Overland Vehicle (since 2019)
Statistics
- Brand: SsangYong
- Model: Rodius SV270
- Year: 2006
- Engine: OM612 Mercedes 5 cylinder Diesel
- Gearbox: 5 Speed Mercedes Geartronic Automatic
- Wheel Drive: Rear Wheel Drive
- Country of reg: Netherlands
- Avg. fuel consumption: 7L/100KM
Why did we choose this vehicle?
Originally sold as an 11 seater, the SsangYong Rodius is the biggest car that is available on the market, that is not a van. It is equipped with a Mercedes motor and gearbox and the suspension system of a Mercedes W124. In our opinion this is one of the best choices for an overland vehicle platform available, because of its space inside, the reliability of Mercedes parts and the low average fuel consumption. It is not a common vehicle which does require us to take some basic spare parts, but it’s worth it for us as the inside space of the vehicle really stands out. It allows us to live inside comfortably, which is safer as sleeping outside in a tent and great on rainy or snowy days as we can freely move around in the vehicle without opening its doors.
Another advantage of the smaller space is that we don’t have a need for a heater; our body-heat heats up the space easily. Being a car means it can be repaired at any car service with basic tools. It also means the vehicle is not so heavy, which makes it easier to drive in cities, small streets and offroad.
In the beginning of the trip we drove the famous Toyota Landcruiser, this is an amazing tough and reliable offroad vehicle, and a first choice for many. But we personally experienced it to be heavy on fuel, expensive to repair and difficult to park anywhere; it was a car everyone wanted to make a photo of when it came by, meaning it required secure guarded parking in every city we visited. Besides that the offroad abilities are great; but in our experience on an overland trip you’ll not do any rock crawling and if you can drive around the mud pit, you will do this as you carry around your house, you’re not there just for having fun.
Does it mean this is the ultimate overland vehicle? One always has a wish for something else, the grass is always greener on the other side, personally we would like a vehicle again with 4×4 just to explore these more hidden places. But there is no hurry as with rear wheel drive we are able to get to the places we want, be it sometimes with a little help.