Three cheers for the JDMness of the KGM Tivoli facelift

That's a good question. Firstly, I'm amazed the Tivoli is still available to buy new. Back in 2015, when I was on the fringes of the UK road tester community, I drove a new SsangYong Tivoli in Italy. I liked it, but I doubt my review has aged as well as a fine Italian red. There's a good reason why I'm no longer part of Road Testers R Us.

It was a good compact SUV. And it was cheap. Like, properly cheap, with prices ranging from £15,000 to £20,000. Credit to SsangYong, or rather KGM, following the rebrand in 2023, because when adjusted for inflation, that original base price is £20,000, which is the cost of an entry-level Tivoli in 2024.

Sure, it's showing its age in many ways, but that's good value for a compact SUV in an age when a supermini costs the best part of £20k and doesn't come with KGM's five-year warranty.

So far, so pretty irrelevant to Petrolblog, but I had to write something about the Tivoli's new look. I can't quite put my finger on what it reminds me of, so maybe you can help.

According to KGM, “the refreshed look introduces a modern and distinctive appearance, featuring an overhauled integrated bumper and an expanded grille”.

It goes on to highlight the “details like the red accented tow hook”.

A red accented tow hook? The accessory you didn't know you wanted. Then there's the three... whatever they are on the opposite side of the TIVOLI letters. They're like coloured tabs on a pair of jeans. They look good, no?

But what does it look like? Maybe something JDM from the 1980s or ’90s? A Daihatsu or Suzuki badge wouldn't look out of place on the front. Maybe there's a hint of the Mk1 Renault Twingo bonnet vents.

Whatever, I applaud the resolutely Korean company for adding some JDM flavour to an ageing compact SUV.

As you were.