KGM Ssangyong’s ‘downright weird’ car goes on sale
It was hoped this Aussie first timer could become one of the country’s most popular cars but we just don’t know what to make of it.
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KGM Ssangyong has launched its first model in Australia – the new Torres midsize SUV, which is here to compete against the ever-popular Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester others.
For the unaware, Ssangyong was bought by an industrial business called KG Group, creating the new car brand KG Mobility — and while the branding has changed in other markets, Australia was apparently too fond of Ssangyong to make a complete change — so that’s why the Torres, as well as the existing Korando, Musso and Rexton, are now KGM Ssangyong products.
You won’t see a KGM badge on this Ssangyong though, which starts from $38,000 drive-away and ranges through to $47,000 drive-away for the flagship Ultimate tested here.
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All models are powered by a 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with 120kW and 280Nm, with a six-speed automatic as standard. The base ELX and mid-spec Adventure are both front-wheel drive, while the flagship is all-wheel drive with a 4WD lock control for rougher roads.
It certainly has a look you won’t be able to ignore, with some styling elements reminiscent of earlier products from the brand’s storeyed past.
But there are other parts that are downright weird, like the faux-side-hinged tailgate, which looks like it is supposed to house a spare wheel and open up like more serious off-roaders. But in this instance, it’s just a hoax – the boot opens like a normal tailgate and has a space-saver spare wheel under the floor.
The boot space is good, but don’t fall for KGM’s 703-litre claim.
That’s to the ceiling. The truer number – to the headrests – is 465L. That’s actually pretty poor for a 4.7m SUV, and rivals offer considerably more in smaller packages.
In the cabin there are the requisite large touchscreens – a 12.3-inch touch-capacitive unit for media, but only with plug-in CarPlay and Android Auto, not wireless. There’s no wireless charger, either, and nor are the control buttons or dials, so it can be a frustrating experience to change the temperature when you’re using smartphone mirroring, for example.
The top of the screen has a pull-down favourites menu with some safety and driveability controls. It takes some learning.
There’s another 12.3-inch screen for the driver and the finishes across the dashboard and the general usability of the cabin is good – but there are signs of cost-cutting with hard plastics on the doors, front and rear.
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In the second row there is enough space for two adults to fit comfortably, and if you have kids there are the expected ISOFIX points in the window seats and top-tethers for all positions, as well as directional vents in the back too, and the range-topper even has outboard rear seat heating.
The drive experience in the Torres is different to some of the mainstream alternatives, with a firmer ride that mightn’t be to all tastes.
It steers fine, despite the steering wheel feeling too large for the car, and the general handling isn’t too bad, but it’s a car that lacks some finesse in terms of the responses from the accelerator and brake, and can feel a bit lurchy as a result.
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In traffic I struggled to take off and slow down smoothly – as pointed out by my partner – and some of that has to come down to the engine, which is just adequate for this type of vehicle but nothing more than that.
It has a decent amount of torque, but it’s not the most refined thing in terms of getting the best out from what’s under the bonnet.
The Torres hasn’t been tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, but comes with a decent array of safety tech, including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control and a reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors.
Shop up to the Adventure for blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera is reserved for the top-spec only.
It has eight airbags – dual front, front side, front centre, driver’s knee and curtain coverage for both rows.
KGM Ssangyong continues to offer a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and roadside assistance for both private and business buyers, and there is a capped price servicing plan for seven years/105,000km, with intervals at 12 months/15,000km averaging $378 per visit.
KGM Ssangyong Torres
PRICE: From $38,000
drive-away
ENGINE: 1.5-litre turbo petrol, 120kW and 280Nm
WARRANTY/SERVICE: 7-year/u’ltd km, $2646 for 7 years
SAFETY: Not yet rated, 8 airbags, AEB, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control
THIRST: 7.4L/100km
CARGO: 465 litres
SPARE: Space saver
Originally published as KGM Ssangyong’s ‘downright weird’ car goes on sale
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