SsangYong Istana 2.9 D (95 Hp)


Overall Rating

7.5 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 4.0 / 5
Value 4.0 / 5
Performance 2.0 / 5
Comfort 3.0 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

SsangYong Istana:

The SsangYong Istana is a 2, 9, 12 and 15 seater minivan and minibus based on the Mercedes-Benz MB100 'Bus' variant. It comes with most of the options of the MB100 as well. The word Istana is a Malay word for Palace or Castle, which is the name of the presidential residences in both Singapore and Indonesia....(Read more on Wikipedia)

Istana Overview:

SsangYong Istana (Istana). A spacious vehicle designed to transport passengers comfortably, often with sliding doors. Seating for 0 makes it ideal for daily use.

Safety Rating
Not rated
Euro NCAP Year N/A
Adult Occupant N/A
Stars N/A
Expert Note:
The SsangYong Istana generation was produced before Euro NCAP testing became widespread for this class of vehicle. Given its era and commercial vehicle origins, it likely features basic safety structures and limited passive safety features compared to modern standards.

2.9 D (95 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 4 stars

Performance Verdict

Performance is modest, with 95 Hp providing adequate power for urban and light highway driving, but it struggles with heavy loads or higher speeds. It's built for utility, not acceleration.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy is reasonable for a large, naturally aspirated diesel minivan of its era. Expect decent mileage, especially when driven conservatively, benefiting from the engine's inherent efficiency.

Best Use Case: Utility / Commercial / People Mover

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Exceptional engine reliability (Mercedes-Benz OM 662 derived)
  • • Spacious and versatile interior for passengers or cargo
  • • Durable and robust construction, ideal for commercial use
  • • Relatively low running costs due to simple mechanics
  • • Good value for money as a used utility vehicle

Cons:

  • • Very modest performance, especially with full loads
  • • Basic interior comfort and amenities
  • • Outdated safety features by modern standards
  • • Limited refinement and noisy diesel engine
  • • Challenging to find parts and specialized service in some regions

Specifications:

General:
Brand:SsangYong
Model:Istana
Generation:Istana
Modification (Engine):2.9 D (95 Hp)
Start of production:1995
End of production:2003
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Minivan
Engine:
Power:95 Hp
Engine Model/Code:OM 662
Fuel injection system:Diesel Commonrail
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Engine oil capacity:8 l
Coolant:10.5 l
Performance:
Fuel Type:Diesel

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