Technology. Our lives are ruled by it. All of us have mobile phones, many of us own at least one tablet or laptop computer and now there are watches that can tell you how much exercise and sleep you’re getting.
Our homes are bristling with the latest tech, so it’s understandable why we also want our cars to be both innovative and compatible with all of our mobile devices.
Buyers of the all-new SsangYong Tivoli should be pleased as punch, then. This new small crossover comes festooned with kit. For those worried about keeping their phone juiced up there are two 12V power sockets just in front of the gear lever. Above them you’ll find USB and HDMI sockets. The latter is still a rare sight in cars, and allows you to play your smartphone video content on the central touchscreen.
That 7.0in screen is a visual delight. It’s fitted as standard on EX and ELX trims and features crisp, high-resolution graphics. With your phone connected via Bluetooth, aux or USB you can use it to stream your favourite tunes to the six-speaker stereo. Step up to ELX trim and you’ll get the TomTom European navigation system as standard, and if you engage reverse gear the view from the reversing camera is automatically displayed (EX and ELX). Heck, you can even listen to the RDS radio with it.
While your passengers are enjoying the infotainment system, you – the driver – can take advantage of even more technology. Every Tivoli gets steering wheel-mounted controls that let you operate the audio, take handsfree phone calls and activate the cruise control. ELX trim features a smart instrument cluster that allows you to change its colour depending on your mood, while between the dials of every Tivoli is a computer with a tyre pressure-monitoring system.
Not all of Tivoli’s technology is on view. The seven airbags are tucked out of sight and will hopefully stay there, while an electronic stability programme, brake assist, hill-start assist and active roll-over protection will do their part to keep you safe on and off the road. There are Isofix points for child seats and you can deactivate the front passenger’s airbag if you want to keep a closer eye on the little one while driving.
It’s good to know SsangYong has its finger on the pulse when it comes to in-car technology. Then again you’d expect nothing less from a South Korean company, a country that’s home to tech giants LG and Samsung.
Paula Croggon
Head here for more on the all-new Ssangyong Tivoli or check out the hashtag #ilovit on Twitter.
To request a brochure, click here. To book a test-drive, click here.
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