THE new Tivoli compact SUV model from Korean brand SsangYong will cost from £12,950 when it hits the UK this summer.

It will come with two new engines and three trim grades plus the promise of class leading levels of safety, interior space, equipment and options.

The powerplants are newly developed 1.6-litre petrol or diesel engines with either two or four-wheel drive.

Safety sees the inclusion of seven airbags - front passenger, side and curtain airbags plus a driver's knee airbag - multi-function ESP, active rollover protection, brake assist, hill start assist, emergency stop signal, a tyre pressure monitoring system and a warning reminder on all five seat belt positions.

Eight exterior colours can be teamed with either a beige or black interior, the choice of cloth or leather upholstery and an optional red interior.

And the My Tivoli personalisation programme allows customers to create their own distinctive car with a choice of five two-tone colour roof combinations, a red leather pack, two further colours - metallic Jazz brown and Icecap blue - as well as further engine and drivetrain options.

Courtesy of its Smart Steer system, there's further choice with three different steering settings - normal, sport, and comfort - available.

SsangYong's UK chief Paul Williams said: "This is a car that will really put SsangYong on the map and change brand perceptions. By any criteria but especially style, interior finish and value for money, Tivoli stands close scrutiny.

"The verdict from those who have already seen and driven the car is that we're on to a winner.But ultimately it's the customer who wins - this is a modern, safe, well-built and comprehensively equipped car, and with a price and warranty no one else can match."

Kicking off the range is the SE petrol manual model at £12,950, EX versions start at £14,600 and ELX at £16,000.