SsangYong's Korando Sports pick-up is an ideal workhorse for active families and offers loads of value, says motoring editor Andy Russell.

SsangYong's affordable Korando Sports pick-up has loads more appeal with a heavier payload and a lighter tax burden for business users.

The Korando Sports, from £14,995 excluding VAT, now has a 1,050kg payload (from 643kg) with uprated and progressive rear coil springs. But it retains the existing multi-link rear suspension – the only pick-up to offer this system – for a car-like ride.

The original Korando Sports impressed with its refined ride and well-mannered progress and the new model is even better. It feels better planted on the road, with tauter body control through corners, but it's still composed over poor surfaces.

The five-seat pick-up will appeal to those who need a work vehicle, four-wheel drive, a 2.7-tonne towing capability and the appointments of a family car. Whether towing a work trailer or horsebox, ferrying crew to site or children to school, Korando Sports meets a range of different demands while the large, 2.04 sq m flat load deck can take a Euro pallet.

For added practicality and security there's the choice of a hinged top-up cover (£1,655 including VAT), a full hard-top including opening glass panels, locking hatch and roof bars (£1,995 including VAT) and a roll cover (£399 including VAT) to protect the load bay.

The 155PS 2.0-litre turbo diesel delivers 360Nm of torque between 1,500rpm and 2,800rpm and up to 37.7mpg for the six-speed manual model. It's smooth and quiet for a commercial vehicle, even cruising on motorways, which adds to the car-like qualities. Go for the optional slick-shifting six-speed automatic and it's even easier to drive.

Electronically-selectable four-wheel drive with high and low-range ratios means the Korando is more than capable off-road.

If you are after a lifestyle loadlugger you can see the appeal of a twin-cab pick-up. This SsangYong can carry five adults with decent legroom in the back. The interior shows its utilitarian nature with lots of hard, black plastics but they are well screwed together and should prove durable and easy to wipe clean.

The dashboard is more functional than fancy but you'll appreciate the big, clear dials and logical, intuitive controls and the driving position has a good range of adjustment.

Equipment is strong with SX including air-conditioning, 16in alloy wheels, remote locking, four electric windows and heated door mirrors, front fog lights and stability control but you only get front airbags across the range. EX adds leather seats (heated in front), cruise control on the auto model, power folding mirrors, rear parking sensors and 18in alloys.

The Korando Sports is a great value pick-up, with a five-year, unlimited mileage peace-of-mind warranty, which puts the style into lifestyle transport and can double up as a workhorse for both firm and family.