IF you’ve never heard of KGM then you’re not alone. I took the Korean manufacturer’s Torres SUV to South Queensferry for a few photos in front of the iconic Forth Bridge and was asked about the car by more than a dozen passers-by. Not one of them had heard of KGM Motors and only a couple had heard of SsangYong – the company acquired by KG Global in 2022 and now sporting the KGM name.
However, the main issue here is that people were asking. They wanted to know more and that is music to the ears of any PR in any company, anywhere.
And it wasn’t just because the Torres is a rare sight on UK roads, it was because they thought it looked cool. Yes, most of the people asking were younger than I expect the traditional SsangYong customer to be – possibly people with a young family that may only have a couple of names in their heads when it comes to thinking about a spacious family SUV – Qashqai and Sportage . . .
It would certainly be worth their while to check out the KGM website as there are some price reductions currently (August 2024) which means a Torres can be had for as little as £31,995 for an entry-level Torres K30 – which is a bit of a bargain for such a spacious motor. Even the range-topping K40 with all-wheel-drive is only another £5,000 extra. In between is the 2-wheel drive K40, also at £36,995; which makes you wonder why you wouldn’t just go for AWD. Maybe the better fuel economy.
My 2WD K40 came in Forest Green which adds another £550 to the price (as does any other colour, except for Grand White). Black side-steps add another £400 but my example looked fine without them. All models come with 6-speed automatic transmission.
The KGM Torres is a quantum leap in design from what has gone before and is built on an entirely new platform which provides the basis for this 1.5-litre petrol and the Torres EVX which is the manufacturer’s first fully electric vehicle (review coming soon).
First impressions are that it does, indeed, look cool – especially from the front with those slender, wrap-around headlights with built-in DRLs and the seven teeth-like pillars stretching out between them. I don’t remember seeing anything similar and it works very well.
The rear, on the other hand, is well . . . it’s okay. I’m not sure it needs a retro spare-wheel-on-the-rear-hatch look and that offset number plate plays havoc with my OCD. Strangely, even more so than the offset plate on the Land Rover Discovery. I think it’s because it’s so much more offest on the LR that it has to be tolerated as a clear design statement, whereas on the Torres it’s more subtle and therefore easier to see it as a miscalculation. Maybe just me though . . .
Also, the rear bumper has a lower, silver skid plate that just looks cheap and like a bad afterthought. However, the rear light clusters look pretty cool, with a a slight wrap-around to the sides and displaying a pattern that gives a nod to the South Korean flag.
The side profile is more Landy than Nissan and Kia, especially backwards of the C-pillar. It looks like a sturdy, sizeable SUV and the 20in alloys (18in on the K30) look great too.
Stepping inside you find the Torres looks suitably modern with a couple of 12.3-inch screens providing you with dash information, as well as your infotainment.
The black, faux-leather upholstery is stitched through with a contrasting bronze thread and looks and feels premium.
The bronze trim is a little gaudy for my taste but adds a splash of colour to the lower dash and the floating centre console. I suppose it makes for a change from fingerprint-attracting piano black though.
The quality of materials is good, if not great with soft-touch materials along the top of the dash and doors. There are some nasty, scratchy plastics in the lower regions, as you might expect.
The steering wheels sports a large SsangYong logo in the middle and is suitably chunky with a flat bottom. With rake and reach adjustment it’s easy to set up so that the configurable electronic dash can be viewed unhindered.
The screens are not just a decent size but also display clear, sharp images and you’ll find the menus easy enough to navigate around – although the sensitivity and response time when poking at the screens is a little lacking and not up to the offerings of some rivals.
And that’s a pity because you’ll be poking a finger at the screen quite a lot thanks to the fact that KGM have decided to go minimalist and do away with any physical buttons. Even the drive mode button requires you to reach over to the screen, drag a secondary menu down from the top and then poke at the Drive Mode icon until you have your choice of Eco, Normal or Sport.
It’s a bit of a faff; and the climate controls aren’t any easier – except this time you’ll need to reach over to the screen and drag a third screen from right to left before you can then start to change temperature, switch on heated seats, etc.
It’s too distracting and, in my opinion, therefore dangerous. And unnecessary. Other manufacturers manage to provide a clean looking cockpit while maintaining physical buttons for essentials like climate and drive modes. Minimal doesn’t equal maximum ease of use.
What you will find has been included is very large door bins, a decent glove box, useful storage in the centre console, wireless charging for your smartphone and a couple of USB-C charging ports up front (and another 2 for rear passengers).
The infotainment provides Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – although, disappointingly, wired and not wireless. The sound system performs better than I had expected and overall – lack of physical buttons aside – I found the Torres cockpit to be a decent place to be sat.
There certainly seems to be plenty of space up front with a good driving position, comfortable seats and good visibility out the windscreen. The large wing mirrors are welcome as the ultra-wide C-Pillars restrict the over-the-shoulder view somewhat, although the view through the rear window is decent enough.
Electrically-adjustable front seats are vented as well as heated and there is also lumbar adjustment included for the driver.
The 1.5 turbo petrol engine provides 163 PS of power and is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The gear-change is via the small(ish) toggle in the centre console and although others have mentioned they find it annoying to have to slip into neutral when going from forward to reverse gear (or visa versa), I didn’t have a problem with that – the extra push on the toggle takes half a second and is doubtless safer.
Rear space is generous for both leg and headroom, while kids will approve of the large windows that can be lowered all the way, leaving no glass visible. They also have their own retractable blinds for keeping out the sun, if needed.
There is a pull-down centre armrest that has 2 cupholders, but there is no access through to the boot for long items.
Both rear outer seats are heated, with controls near to the window switches. They’re comfortable enough for two, even on longer journeys, while the middle seat is only suitable for shorter journeys.
The Boot space is very good at 703 litres with the rear seats up. Drop the seats and you get a flatish load space providing 1,662 litres which trumps everything in this price bracket. The spring-loaded rear cover can also be stowed neatly underneath the boot if you need some extra height.
Out on the road I found the Torres to be an easy drive. It’s not exciting in any way; the 1.5 turbo petrol engine provides enough power for all circumstances, but it is a little hindered by the 6-speed automatic gearbox than can be a little slow to react. Nothing that would cause concern, just not as smart as you may like, especially when pulling out at junctions or onto roundabouts.
I would describe the ride as a little on the firm side – I expect the K30 on 18-inch wheels will fare better over the roughest of roads – but, again, it’s not a deal-breaker and those 20-inch wheels do fill the arches better. The advantage is that the K40 holds the road quite well and although not sporty it feels competent enough on twistier roads.
The steering is light but does provide some feedback and because the view of the edges of that large, square bonnet is excellent from the driver’s seat, it’s easy to point the Torres at exactly where you want it to go.
Dual carriageways and motorways are where a large SUV can show some compromise in its dynamics, but the KGM Torres handles both very well and never feels like it wants to wander. It’s a relaxing drive and as good as any offerings from Japan.
At speed, it is pretty quiet too. Those large wing mirrors create some noise but nothing you’d find jarring on longer journeys.
The adaptive cruise works well and isn’t overly “surprised” by cars cutting in front of you on the motorway. It certainly feels like a safe car to be in. There’s also a long list of safety systems to keep you feeling that way, including:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Keep Assist
- Safety Distance Alert
- Front Vehicle Start Alert (FSVA) which provides a pop-up alert and sound to let you know the vehicle in front is starting to pull away. Although you really should be paying attention at traffic lights or while stuck in a traffic jam . . .
- Hill Descent Control
- Rear Cross Traffic Warning
- Auto High Beam
- and quite a few others, beside . . .
I managed just over 35mpg on mixed roads, over a week of use. Most of it was around town so I suppose the figure isn’t terrible but it’s a little disappointing – even though it’s higher than the 33.3mpg official figure for combined consumption.
You do get a good amount of space and kit for your money with the KGM Torres and it doesn’t feel overly compromised in any way. It is capable of towing 1.5 tonnes (braked) and the 280 Nm of torque ain’t bad for a 1.5 turbo petrol.
When you consider the better than average warranty of 5-years/100,000 miles then the Torres looks very tempting. You’ll certainly stand out from the crowd and, no doubt, attract a lot of questions . . .
- AT A GLANCE:
- KGM Torres K40 FWD
- OTR Price: £36,995
- Engine: 1.5 turbo petrol
- Power: 163 PS
- Transmission: 6-speed Automatic
- 0-62mph: 10.8 secs
- Top Speed: 118 mph
- Combined Economy: 33.2 mpg
- C02: 194 g/km
