The Korean you didn't know: KGM Torres 4X4 put to the test

KGM (formerly SsangYong) presents a stylish and spacious new competitor in the medium crossover category. Does it have what it takes to win over customers?

By KEINAN COHEN/WALLA

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 15:08

Inspirations from Jeep and Land Rover; these are the names that came up in an unscientific survey I conducted (photo credit: Keinan Cohen) — Inspirations from Jeep and Land Rover; these are the names that came up in an unscientific survey I conducted

(photo credit: Keinan Cohen)

Price (Base/Test): NIS 175,000/190,000
Competitors: In all-wheel drive: JAC J7, Subaru Forester
What We Liked: Design, equipment, space, road behavior, trunk
What We Didn't Like: Ride comfort, fuel consumption, no spare wheel
Rating: 8/10

An impressive-looking driver's environment, very well-equipped, but there is room for improvement in ergonomics (credit: Keinan Cohen)

The South Korean car manufacturer SsangYong has been with us in Israel since 1997. Among the models it has introduced to the roads are names like Musso, Kyron, Actyon, Actyon Sports, Tivoli, Korando, Rodius, and Rexton. Except for the last two, which managed to create a limited presence in the local market, and in the case of the Rexton, also form a local enthusiast community—none of them have made a significant mark on the local market. They haven't fared any better in other markets.

After Indian Mahindra sold its control of SsangYong in 2020, it faced difficulties and was acquired by the KG chemical corporation with encouragement from the Korean government. Now under new management, this manufacturer is determined to build on its legacy as one identified with off-road vehicles, but with more attractive products tailored to market tastes, and promises of using the buzzword of recent years—artificial intelligence—in the future. For now, what we have here is the Torres, the manufacturer’s updated crossover that has just landed in Israel and was snatched up by us for a first drive.

Good space in the heated rear seat with air conditioning vents (credit: Keinan Cohen)

Design: It is clear that this is the main card with which the Torres intends to capture the initial attention of its surroundings. If in the past this company produced designs that were subtle, passing through the throat like wire-thin kimchi, here the direction is more defined. There is "inspiration" from various car brands; some see Jeep features in the front, Land Rover fingerprints in the profile, and decorative “lifting rings” on the hood as a nod to the Ford Bronco, among others. Is the result aesthetically pleasing? That will be up to personal taste, but in a world of generic designs—it is a head-turner that attracts gazes, lingering on it unlike past instances, which quickly diverted the gaze.

''Very large and practical trunk, but without a spare tire (credit: Keinan Cohen)

Passenger Cabin: The passenger cabin continues with that strong initial impression. The brownish-red faux leather trim, the stitching, the metal-like plastic combinations, and the shiny black (which fills up with fingerprints and dust), the digital dashboard, and two screens—for multimedia and vehicle systems—all come together for a very impressive look. However, upon closer inspection, some relatively simple plastics can be found.

Ergonomics is not exceptional; the data on the dashboard is presented in a clear and readable manner, perhaps slightly cluttered but not overly problematic. The multimedia screen’s menus present a somewhat outdated look and are not intuitive for ongoing operation, but at least there is a physical button for volume control. At the bottom of the central console, there is another screen through which various vehicle controls and the air conditioning system are managed. It is positioned too low to allow quick operation without requiring eyes to stray too far from the road.

Its generous exterior dimensions, which belong to the seven-seater vehicle category, are evident in a spacious passenger compartment both in the front seats and adequately in the second row, where the transmission tunnel does not protrude excessively, allowing three children to fit in the rear seat. They will receive air conditioning outlets, but no charging sockets—only a 12V socket.

Don’t be deceived by the exterior design and all-wheel drive; this is not a rugged off-road vehicle (credit: Keinan Cohen)

Trunk: We touched on the exterior dimensions, which manifest in a spacious and inviting trunk with a volume of 599 liters. The figure itself is impressive, and its square, accessible shape makes for efficient loading of gear. This is a significant bonus for traveling families. According to European standards that allow the sale of cars without a spare wheel, the importer has also dispensed with one. Given the starting point of the large trunk, we recommend that traveling customers seriously consider equipping themselves with one and using it for long trips.

Equipment: The Torres arrives on the market with a very significant value proposition in terms of equipment. The list below applies to the basic equipment version with front-wheel drive, and it includes, among other things: Power-adjustable driver’s seat, heating and ventilation for the front seats, rear seat heating, dual-zone climate control, a 9-inch screen with Android and Apple connectivity for multimedia, an 8-inch screen for the lower controls, and a 12.5-inch dashboard display, surround parking sensors, wireless charging pad, keyless entry and ignition, sunroof, and LED lighting. The tested all-wheel drive version raises the wheel diameter to 20 inches, adds an electric trunk door, and steering wheel heating.

Safety Equipment: Lane departure correction, autonomous emergency braking, and alerts for vehicles in the "blind spot." In the future, adaptive cruise control will also be added, the absence of which does create a gap between it and some competitors.

Prefers smooth and well-paved roads to provide good ride comfort (credit: RONEN TOPELBERG)

Performance: An all-electric version of the Torres was introduced abroad, and despite expectations for it to arrive here, current pricing issues keep it out of the game. There are also intentions to bring its hybrid version here, which will be introduced later, but for now, it comes only with gasoline propulsion. In its case, a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with 163 hp and 28.6 kg/m of torque powers it. Its six-speed automatic transmission is present. With a curb weight approaching 1.7 tons in the tested all-wheel-drive version, performance is not thrilling in an era where every electric motor is equipped with 200 hp and dizzying power availability or even compared to other turbo-gasoline engines.

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The official figure of 10.9 seconds to 100 km/h sounds even optimistic in relation to actual performance. This vehicle does not like, does not encourage, and does not cooperate with requests for swiftness. The transmission does what it can to keep the revs within the engine's efficient range, sometimes with excessive activity. What this message doesn’t convey, the sound of the engine will clarify that you are not on the right track.

Fuel Consumption: And if the nature and sound of the engine do not convince you, fuel consumption will do the trick. In cautious and leisurely driving, with a tailwind on a downhill slope, it will show 14 km per liter; in the real world of traffic jams, mountainous roads, and so forth, it will settle around 10 km per liter. The front-wheel drive version will be more economical, one can assume.

A very good chance to become a model that will boost the brand's visibility, but there’s a 'but.' (credit: Keinan Cohen)

Comfort and Behavior: Like the Rexton, the Torres' suspension tuning is relatively stiff. It responds with vibration to both small and large bumps in the road. On a well-paved and smooth road, it actually presents good comfort and body roll control. Those still struggling on inferior paving will notice road noise coming from the large wheels, and it’s possible that the 18-inch wheels of the base version will reduce this, along with wind noise from the decorations on the hood and sometimes from the designed roof rails.

On winding roads, however, the stiff suspension tuning and use of a multi-link rear suspension provide it with relatively good road handling. The steering has a good response speed, it does not bounce on the dampers even in sharp braking and too-fast entries into corners. You can push it quite a bit before it begins to show signs of discontent. Even then, warnings about proximity to limits sound from the tires long before it starts to widen its turning line.

If the design, all-wheel drive, and the declared ground clearance of 30 cm (at speeds of up to 30 km/h) awaken any adventurous spirit for off-road travel, take a breath and calm down; the Torres is not built for difficult off-road challenges. Its ground clearance is 19.5 cm, which is acceptable, but without a spare wheel, with 20-inch wheels with a sporty profile of 45, and without downhill control, you are completely dependent on your skill and courage and its traction control capabilities that simulate “central locking,” but it’s not one of the better systems we’ve encountered.

Hybrid and electric versions are on the way (credit: Keinan Cohen)

The Bottom Line

For a manufacturer like KGM, there are some significant challenges, and a saturated market of competitors and generally high prices for new cars are among the smaller ones. Their starting point is already creating familiarity with the brand and building consumer trust in it.

From the importer’s perspective, its competitive environment includes category leaders like the Kia Sportage (about 3,300 units since the beginning of the year), Mazda CX-5 (about 2,800 units), Hyundai Tucson with about 2,134 pieces, and these prominent competitors primarily illustrate the potential.

Comparative tests against it will certainly come, but even from the first drive, it can be said that it is indeed equipped with what it needs to generate serious momentum in the local market. Together with the new rear-wheel drive version of the larger Rexton, it signals that both KGM and the importer want and are willing to give this brand significantly more volume than in the past.

In terms of the product itself, it is visually impressive, exceptionally equipped (though not in safety), spacious, and very practical. Ride comfort will interfere, engine performance less so in moderate use, and one could live with its fuel consumption.

But the truly interesting version here is the hybrid that will arrive next year. If it maintains an attractive price and completes the safety system list, it could for the first time with the Korean manufacturer record very nice numbers in that delivery table we mentioned.