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By Jonathan Crouch

KGM's first all-new model, the Torres mid-sized SUV, makes quite a statement. Jonathan Crouch takes a closer look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 37

A new brand, KGM Motors, needs a new car and this KGM Torres is very much that. A tough, versatile, five-seat upper-mid-sized SUV, it comes in both combustion and EV forms and offers something quite appealingly different.

Backgroundword count: 141

KGM Motors, you'd be forgiven for not knowing, is the new name for the Korean marque that used to be called SsangYong. So it's not quite a new brand, but it does need a new product line-up, which starts with this car, the KGM Torres. KGM does sell other models here, but they're all simply re-badged versions of previous SsangYongs. The Torres, in contrast, is all-new, the first a fresh raft of designs we'll see from the brand using a lot of borrowed technology from Chinese maker BYD. This new product offensive was a condition of SsangYong's buy-out by huge South Korean chemical and steel company the KG group in 2022. The Torres represents the first fruits of the subsequent re-launched brand's rejuvenated 'new era of innovation' approach and is apparently named after the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.

Driving Experienceword count: 222

This is a futuristic -looking car, but its core engine is rather old school, the same 1.5-litre 163PS four cylinder petrol turbo unit used by the old Korando and Tivoli. KGM says it's been massaged bit for this installation, with a 10% improvement in acceleration, which explains why the 10.8s 0-62mph sprint time is the same as the smaller Korando model fitted with the same basic unit. Top speed is 118mph. A 6-speed auto transmission is mandatory, but unlike with the Korando, 2WD isn't; if you don't want front wheel drive, a 4WD option's available at the top of the range. With 280Nm of torque on tap, braked towing capacity is rated at 1.5 tonnes (750kg braked) plus there's a trailer sway control function. Don't expect cutting-edge drive dynamics - but since when has any EV crossover of this kind offered that? You're likely to find this one predictable, solid and refined, with plenty of camera safety kit. Off road, KGM claims 'competitive' approach and departure angles. These are aided by a tough chassis fashioned from 81% high tensile steel. The combustion alternative is a full-EV model, the Torres EVX. This mates a 201bhp single drive motor with a 73.4kWh battery that when fully energised offers 287 miles between charges. Impressively, the EVX can tow the same weight as the combustion model.

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