A couple of miles down the road from my house, there’s a small car dealership which flogs various brands. Last year, I spotted a bloke removing the SsangYong signs. By the time I returned, there was a new sign in its place - KGM.

A bit of background first. In late 2023, SsangYong was taken over in its home country of South Korea by the KG Group. To distinguish itself from the rest of the business, the bosses decided to name their new firm KG Mobility or KGM as we all now know it.

For the next year or so, it was a simple case of rebranding SsangYong vehicles, but that’s now changing. The KGM Torres is the first car to arrive as a ‘real’ KGM rather than just another SsangYong with the badges switched.

Rather than building something that appeals to the masses, KGM has gone headlong into the highly competitive family-sized SUV market. In terms of how it looks, KGM has got off to a good start. It’s quite a handsome, distinctive thing and certainly has presence. Yes, it’s big — 4.7 metres long, 1.9 metres wide and 1.7 metres tall — but it hides the dimensions well.

Powertrains & Prices

There are two models on offer: a 1.5 litre petrol Torres Hybrid, which, with engine and battery hybrid system working together, develops 174bhp, and an all-electric 204bhp Torres EVX. There’s only a grand difference in the price, with the Torres Hybrid kicking off at £35,995 and the electric EVX at £36,995 (May 26).

Apart from having different grilles, both look identical. I’ve been trying the Hybrid version. There used to be a non-hybrid petrol Torres, but it’s not surprising that the hybrid model has ousted it from the KGM range. And although it had the advantage of offering all-wheel drive, it was pretty thirsty. Surprisingly, the more complicated hybrid model is cheaper than what was asked for the petrol-only Torres.

Storage

Despite its size, the KGM Torres is only a 5-seater. So you do a lot of driving with the need for a massive load space, the KGM Torres will certainly appeal because you get 668 litres in the boot and, if you flop the rear seats forward, you now have over 1,662 litres of cargo space. You can practically climb in and go for a walk. Access is via an electric tailgate, and there’s even a small storage area under the floor. Despite the tailgate looking as though it has a spare wheel hidden behind it, it doesn’t.

Performance Figures

The petrol engine delivers power to the front wheels via a 6-speed automatic gearbox. It can make a bit of a clatter when asking for overtaking power, but once on the move, it settles nicely. You can even do up to 62mph using battery power alone. In fact, KGM reckons that 95 per cent of city drivers will be using battery power only. Pretty handy. Your top speed is 112mph, while a 0-60mph sprint should take you 9 seconds flat, although it feels livelier than those figures suggest. Make full use of the hybrid system and KGM reckons you’ll manage 46.1mpg, which is reasonable for such a big car. Oh, and it’ll tow 1.3 tonnes, which is handy for those of you with a horsebox or small caravan. The standard 5yr / 100,000-mile warranty should give buyers plenty of reassurance when it comes to reliability. Always important for a brand which most folk won’t know.

Trim Options & Interior

There’s are two levels of trim in the electric Torres EVX, but the hybrid manages with just one - K40 - but it comes fully loaded with the main items including sat nav, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, smartphone connectivity, front and rear parking sensors, LED headlights, leather upholstery, keyless entry, rear-view camera, cruise control, dual zone climate, 12.3-inch touchscreen, rear privacy glass, 20-inch alloys, roof rails and a stack of safety gizmos.

The interior, thankfully, avoids swathes of black plastic. There are some coloured trims here and there, which lighten the mood. The driver gets a 12.3-inch display that merges with the central screen containing loads of functions and can be a bit fiddly to use, but I suspect that once you get used to it and know where everything is hiding, you’ll soon get the hang of it. It’s not the quickest bit of kit I’ve ever used, to be honest.

Driving Experience

Out on the road, you can choose from different driving modes — Eco, Sport and Comfort. The Torres handles okay, drives tidily and has a cushy ride. Chuck it into a corner and you’ll find that the Torres rolls slightly. It feels quite heavy, but the light-ish steering certainly helps and makes town driving simple, as does the raised driving position. Hit the motorway and you’ll find 70mph cruising is a relaxed affair.

You’d never describe the Torres as exciting to drive, but to be fair to KGM, they’re not marketing it along those lines. They want this car to appeal to owners who want space, kit, value for money and versatility. In all those respects, it succeeds. The fact that it’s distinctive and different to the rest of the market is something else that appeals.

In Conclusion

New name for the UK car market and the Torres Hybrid is their first brand new model. This is a promising start, and you’d hope that future models would be even better. As things stand, the KGM Torres is worth a serious look.

words: Graham Courtney
pictures: KGM

KGM Torres Review | New Name, Fresh Outlook