SsangYong Korando History
History
The Korando — an acronym for 'Korean Can Do' — launched in 1983 as a rugged, Jeep CJ5-derived body-on-frame off-roader, the first vehicle sold under the SsangYong (then Dong-A) name. The Jeep-based first generation ran until 1996, including export runs to Japan and Europe.
A second generation arrived in 1996 using Mercedes-Benz mechanical underpinnings from SsangYong's Daimler-Benz partnership, giving the Korando a more refined, modern character while retaining off-road capability; this generation ran through 2006.
The third generation (2010–2019), codenamed C200, was an entirely new crossover SUV under Mahindra ownership, with a unibody structure, modern turbodiesel engines, and European-market ambitions; a fourth generation followed at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show and was produced through 2023, when the KG Mobility / KGM rebrand retired the SsangYong-badged Korando name.
Generations
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First generation · Jeep-derived
Jeep CJ5-based body-on-frame off-roader; the first vehicle sold under the SsangYong name.
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Second generation · FJ
Photo: “1997 Ssangyong Korando GLS” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Mercedes-Benz-engineered mechanicals; refined the nameplate for European export.
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1997 Photo: “1997 Ssangyong Korando GLS” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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2004 Photo: “2004 SsangYong Korando (KJ MY04) hardtop (25930140176)” by Jeremy from Sydney, Australia / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0
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Third generation (C200) · C200
Photo: “SSANGYONG KORANDO (C200) China” by Dinkun Chen / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
New unibody crossover under Mahindra ownership; modern diesel engines and European styling.
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2017 Photo: “SSANGYONG KORANDO 201706 01” by CEFICEFI / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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Fourth generation · C300
Photo: “SsangYong Korando C300 Dandy Blue (4)” by Damian B Oh / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Unveiled at 2019 Geneva Motor Show; last Korando sold under the SsangYong badge before KGM rebrand.
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2019 Photo: “SsangYong Korando, GIMS 2019, Le Grand-Saconnex (GIMS1292)” by Matti Blume / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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2020 Photo: “2020 SsangYong Korando R-Plus white front” by Throwawayacc222 / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0
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Body styles
- 3-door SUV
- 5-door SUV
- 4-door crossover
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