Overview

SsangYong has been rebranded to KGM, and it has launched its first new car since in the UK with the Torres mid-sized SUV. It’s priced to compete with a whole raft of family cars, but its eyecatching styling does mean at least that it stands out from the crowd.

It sits towards the upper end of the new KGM line-up, and its closest rivals are the Hyundai Tucson and Nissan X-Trail. Like those cars, it comes with a rugged design and spacious interior. The Torres is in showrooms now in petrol form, with an electric Torres EVX model set to launch later.

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Who or what is KGM?

SsangYong has always been a niche brand in the UK and has never developed in the way that fellow South Korean carmakers Hyundai and Kia have.

SsangYong has found itself in economic difficulty in recent years and that nearly led to bankruptcy. It was acquired by the large South Korean industrial company KG Group in late 2022, which pushed forward to change the name to KG Mobility, shortened to KGM. Though the same logo is still used, its dealers have all been rebranded to KGM.

KGM Torres design

The Torres looks quite different to the other cars in the KGM line-up, such as the Korando and Rexton, with a much more modern and rugged style about it.

Its slotted grille makes it look a lot like a Jeep, while the creased lines and big alloy (up to 20 inches) are bang on trend. The electric EVX model will get a redesigned front end with a slimmer grille and stylish integrated lighting signature.

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What’s it like inside?

The Torres uses a twin-screen display setup made up of a large touchscreen and digital driver display merged together, mirroring setups found in cars from BMW, Hyundai and Vauxhall, among others.

Measuring 4,705mm in length, 1,890mm in width and 1,720mm in height, the Torres is a larger car than it might seem initially in photos, and bigger in all dimensions than the Nissan X-Trail, which manages to squeeze seven seats into its footprint.

Though you won’t get three seats of the Torres, it promises best-in-class boot space, with 703 litres of room with the rear seats upright, or 1,662 litres once they’re folded.

Engines and drive

The Torres launches with a single 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox. It uses a small shift-by-wire toggle switch in place of a conventional gear shift, helping to free up more space.

Producing 163hp and 260Nm of torque, the Torres launches with a front-wheel-drive configuration, though an all-wheel-drive model will join the line-up later in the year. Accelerating from 0-62mph takes 10.8 seconds with the petrol engine under the bonnet, though running costs aren’t very impressive. KGM claims just 33.2mpg while CO2 emissions of 194g/km are very high for a vehicle of this type.

In terms of the electric EVX model, full specifications are yet to be announced. We do know it will be front-wheel-drive, initially at least, and that it will use a 73.4kWh battery that KGM says will allow for a 287-mile range. Though there’s no maximum DC rapid charging speed, a 20 to 80% top-up can take place in 28 minutes.

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What models and trims are available?

The Torres sits between the Korando and Rexton in KGM’s model range. The model range starts with the K30 trim level, which comes with a generous equipment list including 18-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Two large 12.3-inch screens are also used for the digital dials and main infotainment display.  

Above this sits the K40 trim, which is available with two- or four-wheel drive. Extra equipment over the K30 includes large 20-inch alloy wheels, an electric boot, heated and ventilated front seats and adaptive cruise control.

To find out whether we think this striking new SUV is worth of adding to your shopping list, and whether it stands out enough to choose over its most popular rivals, keep reading.