“What’s that?”, I hear you ask. It’s the KGM Torres in fact, although that in all probability doesn’t assist clear issues up.
To begin with, KGM (or KG Mobility) is the brand new title for what was as soon as SsangYong, the South Korean automaker that was acquired by the KG Group in 2022, earlier than the KGM title was established in early 2023.
It was generally known as KGM SsangYong to most Aussies for the very best a part of a yr, and arriving in Australia in the course of the rebranding interval was the Torres, a brand new mid-size SUV with distinctive styling and the backing of considered one of Korea’s largest automakers alongside the Hyundai/Kia group.
The KGM Torres was formally launched right here in October 2024, when it joined the big Rexton and mid-size Korando within the Korean model’s native SUV lineup, which was bolstered earlier this yr with the arrival of yet one more medium SUV, the Actyon.
However what’s totally different in regards to the Torres, and why do you have to purchase one as an alternative of one thing just like the top-selling Toyota RAV4?
Beneath the bonnet is identical petrol engine as seen within the Korando, and the most affordable Torres prices about the identical as the costliest Korando, positioning it as a extra premium medium SUV. The 2 additionally share a number of different mechanical parts, however there’s no electrification to compete with a number of the phase’s best-sellers together with the hybrid-only RAV4, Australia’s favorite SUV.
This exhibits within the Torres’ gross sales figures. Within the first half of 2025, KGM shifted 168 examples of the Torres, which is nonetheless up on the model’s different two mid-size SUVs, the Korando (79) and the Actyon (66).
That made all of them considerably much less widespread than all however one different mid-sized SUV, the electrical Deepal S07 with 99 gross sales in the identical interval. Meantime, the RAV4 discovered 24,034 new houses, the Mazda CX-5 11,991, and the Mitsubishi Outlander 11,399, whereas most different mid-size SUVs chalked up at the very least 1000 in the identical interval.
On take a look at right here is the top-spec KGM Torres Final. Does it show this quirky SUV is an undiscovered gem, or are patrons proper to look elsewhere?
How a lot does the KGM Torres price?
The KGM Torres Final is usually priced at $47,000 drive-away, although a present limited-time provide sees it lowered to $43,000 drive-away. ABN holders can do even higher at $42,200 drive-away.
| Mannequin | Typical drive-away worth | Discounted drive-away worth |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 KGM Torres ELX | $38,000 | $36,000 |
| 2025 KGM Torres Journey | $43,000 | $40,000 |
| 2025 KGM Torres Final | $47,000 | $43,000 |
The Torres competes in Australia’s largest and most crowded new-vehicle phase: mid-size SUVs. On this class, breadwinners just like the RAV4, CX-5, Outlander, and the Kia Sportage could be dearer, however patrons know and belief what they’re getting from these established auto manufacturers.
There are additionally quite a few Chinese language rivals such because the MG HS, GWM Haval H6, and Chery Tiggo 7, all of which provide complete commonplace tools lists at reasonably priced costs, and all of which have additionally comfortably outsold the Torres thus far in 2025.
To see how the KGM Torres stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What’s the KGM Torres like on the within?
The preliminary ‘wow’ issue shall be sufficient to attract you in, however the lustre shortly wears off.
Many of the cabin actually seems to be the half. It’s all comparatively clear, and the big bronze surfaces make this inside really feel somewhat extra particular than many of the competitors.
However as you look nearer, you’ll realise that these surfaces are all plastic, and every thing else that you simply count on to be comfortable is mostly rock-hard. There’s additionally a good quantity of cheaper-looking plastic, such because the scratchy panels beneath the dashboard and the silver accents scattered across the inside.
Nowhere is that this higher demonstrated than with the steering wheel. The centre pad seems to be and feels low-cost, whereas the large silver plastic items seem somewhat clunky.
The wheel itself can also be huge in diameter however comparatively skinny, which might make it really feel such as you’re piloting an ocean liner as an alternative of an SUV. Its flat backside makes it really feel unusually sq., however at the very least the leather-based end is good to carry.
Its buttons are additionally completed in shiny black plastic, which – unusually – is the one place within the cabin the place the fabric is discovered. They appear grubby shortly, however we admire that these buttons are all bodily and really feel good to make use of.
They’re additionally labelled clearly, making them straightforward to decipher on the transfer. It is a far cry from the Torres’ infotainment system although – a 12.3-inch touchscreen that homes each single cabin operate behind various quantities of menus.
We’re accustomed to vehicles having their local weather management methods buried in screens, however the Torres takes it to an astounding new stage – bar Tesla. There aren’t any bodily buttons to be discovered past the steering wheel or gear selector, leaving no various strategies to regulate temperature, fan pace, and even audio quantity.
The latter is ok for the motive force, who can use the steering wheel’s buttons as an alternative. It turns into annoying for passenger-seat DJs although, and the strategy to regulate quantity by way of the display isn’t apparent both.
There’s a drop-down menu you possibly can pull from the highest of the display, which is the place you’ll discover a quantity slider and several other different driving-related shortcuts. Equally, the local weather menu could be swiped out from the best of the display.
To KGM’s credit score, the local weather menu will keep open on the aspect of the display when utilizing the native infotainment software program and, when energetic, it isn’t all that totally different to the third local weather display being rolled out in new Kia fashions, as an example. Sadly, the menu received’t keep open when utilizing Apple CarPlay.
It is a appreciable oversight. Even when the 2 shows can’t each match on the display, there must be some everlasting technique to at the very least regulate fundamental local weather capabilities, because it’s fiddly and distracting to have to achieve for the shortcut ribbon on the far aspect.
Making issues worse is the actual fact the local weather menu’s buttons are small and require the motive force’s consideration to determine, whereas Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are solely wired. Moreover, the display’s native graphics aren’t notably interesting, and there’s an excessive amount of empty area outdoors of the smartphone interface.
In entrance of the motive force is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which has a transparent structure regardless of the aesthetic background seeming pointless – a carryover from the infotainment system. It’s additionally not instantly clear the way to navigate this display, as there’s just one small bi-directional swap on the steering wheel to take action.
When you’re used to it, there’s loads of useful info right here, and the big lettering makes the display completely purposeful in apply. The steering wheel will reduce off the corners of this rectangular show, however the vary of adjustment supplied means it’s nonetheless straightforward to discover a snug place.
There’s additionally loads of adjustment within the seats, and the motive force may even regulate the passenger seat utilizing its driver-oriented buttons. That is to make it simpler for entrance or rear passengers to get in, which can undoubtedly be useful if the Torres is your car of alternative as a chauffeur.
The seats themselves are snug, with stable bolstering, though maybe somewhat agency. Elsewhere, the floating centre console homes two cupholders and a phone-sized slot, whereas a gap leads into a fairly sized storage field – sadly, there’s no wi-fi charger right here.
Beneath the floating centre console is a big, flat storage tray, together with a few connectivity choices, together with two USB-C ports. You’ll additionally discover a big cut-out beneath the sprint, which might simply match a number of wallets and telephones.
There’s a great deal of area within the Torres’ second row, due to its excessive roof and boxy physique. I had no points sitting behind my driving place at 173cm, with room to spare for taller occupants.
Again listed below are some quirky facilities. In fact there’s the usual twin USB-C ports and rear-facing air vents, however there are additionally multi-faceted map pockets on the scratchy plastic entrance seat-backs, a number of cut-outs on the centre console, and unusual appendages on the entrance head restraints – the aim of the latter we’re not fairly positive of.
Pill/gadget holders spring to thoughts, however there can be a whole lot of display coated by the protruding lip on the backside. In any case, the Torres’ second row is sensible and spacious even for 3 passengers, with acceptably snug seats and a fold-down centre armrest.
An actual power of the Torres is its boot, which presents a claimed 703 litres of capability with all seats in place. The proof is within the pudding too, as a result of it seems to be as cavernous as that determine suggests.
The cargo flooring is lengthy and flat, which makes it straightforward to slip longer objects up and in. There are two cubbies on both aspect for smaller baggage or free objects, and the big tailgate opening (with hands-free energy help) makes loading cargo a breeze.
An area-saver spare tyre can also be commonplace throughout the vary, which isn’t superb however is preferable to a tyre restore package.
It’s additionally price noting that almost all of our complaints concerning steering wheel supplies and on-screen graphics seem to have been addressed by way of updates to the Torres offered in KGM’s Korean house market. Nevertheless, these have but to be carried out in Australia.
| Dimensions | KGM Torres |
|---|---|
| Size | 4700mm |
| Width | 1890mm |
| Peak | 1710mm |
| Wheelbase | 2680mm |
| Cargo capability (VDA) | 703L (rear seats up), 1526L (rear seats folded) |
To see how the KGM Torres stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What’s beneath the bonnet?
Powering the Torres is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, which produces 120kW of energy and 280Nm of torque whatever the variant. The first distinction between the Final and different grades is all-wheel drive.
| Specs | KGM Torres Final |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L 4cyl turbo-petrol |
| Energy | 120kW @ 5000-5500rpm |
| Torque | 280Nm @ 1500-4000rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed auto |
| Drive kind | All-wheel drive |
| Kerb weight | 1622kg |
| Gas economic system (claimed) | 7.9L/100km |
| Gas economic system (as examined) | 9.2L/100km |
| Gas tank capability | 50L |
| Gas requirement | 95-octane premium unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 181g/km |
| Emissions commonplace | Euro 6 |
| Braked tow capability | 1500kg |
Our week with the automobile concerned virtually completely freeway and freeway driving, but our gas economic system determine was nonetheless nicely above KGM’s declare. Even with a number of heavy site visitors stints, our recorded determine was a lot increased than anticipated.
It’s additionally nicely above the 4.8L/100km Toyota claims for all-wheel drive RAV4s, that are admittedly hybrid, and likewise increased than Mazda’s 8.2L/100km declare for even the turbocharged all-wheel drive model of the CX-5.
That mentioned, our current evaluation of the CX-5 G35 Akera (with 2.5-litre turbo-petrol energy) returned real-world gas economic system as excessive as 9.7L/100km.
To see how the KGM Torres stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
How does the KGM Torres drive?
Fairly unremarkably, if we’re trustworthy.
Firing up the Torres reveals a typical small-displacement four-cylinder thrum, which isn’t precisely angelic however avoids being as brash and shouty as a chilly Mazda 2.0-litre engine, for instance.
In fact, the Torres won’t ever begin silently, as there’s no electrical help to be discovered right here. There’s a hybrid possibility accessible in Korea, which mates the 1.5-litre engine with an electrical motor and a 1.83kWh battery, and we think about this may be a welcome and aggressive addition regionally.
Nonetheless, setting off reveals respectable petrol-only efficiency, because the engine is able to offering sufficient of a kick to maintain you . It isn’t quick, however it doesn’t should be – it could nonetheless reliably pull out onto busy roads or make fast overtakes, although the throttle feels a bit sensitive at first.
Likewise, its six-speed Aisin automated transmission is respectable. We had no actual points with its behaviour, as its torque-converter setup ensures clean acceleration and limits low-speed stumbling.
It additionally reacts nicely to adjustments in throttle enter, however takes a second to kick down if further energy is required and can typically take a second to search out the proper gear. Beneath laborious acceleration the engine hauls the automobile with fairly a racket, and the noise isn’t actually accompanied by matching efficiency.
You’ve the choice to take management of the transmission your self utilizing the paddles behind the wheel. This provides a barely sporty aptitude, however we wouldn’t be stunned if many house owners by no means use this feature given the pretty torpid response – which isn’t stunning, however nonetheless not as snappy as we’d like.
It’s additionally price noting that though the Torres Final comes commonplace with all-wheel drive, it behaves like an on-demand system.
Meaning it’ll function in front-wheel drive mode in commonplace driving, however on low-traction surfaces or beneath laborious acceleration it’ll readily interact the rear wheels too. You may as well ‘lock’ it in AWD if wanted.
Discover out extra
Discover out extra in regards to the automobile
This setup isn’t unusual within the auto trade as means to enhance gas economic system, however consumption throughout our testing was nonetheless uncomfortably excessive. The 95-octane premium unleaded requirement doesn’t make it any extra palatable both.
Apart from that, the Torres presents a reasonably run of the mill driving expertise. The steering has a pleasant weight to it, although that colossal tiller doesn’t assist make this SUV really feel notably nimble and really makes it really feel much less sporty.
That’s in distinction with its suspension setup, which is on the firmer aspect. An SUV like this doesn’t want a agency suspension tune, and the Torres can get considerably uncomfortable round city because of this. The stiff suspension additionally exaggerates the plasticky really feel of the cabin; it could really feel like there’s no give or cushioning in something.
In fact, the upside is that the chassis tune works higher at increased speeds, the place the Torres really feel rather more planted than anticipated and take turns with applicable composure.
Nevertheless, it additionally allows noticeable ranges of highway noise. Sadly, that is amplified on the 20-inch alloys and low-profile rubber fitted to our tester, that means it’s not superb in case your commute includes lengthy stretches of coarse-chip roads.
The dearth of suspension and tyre compliance interprets small floor imperfections not solely to the seat of your pants and ft, but in addition to the steering wheel, though the shocks are damped nicely sufficient to masks something main.
Maybe a much bigger subject is the Torres’ lane-keeping system. It simply isn’t calibrated correctly and can kick up a fuss for those who stray wherever close to your lane markings – once more an annoying trait for those who’re driving on nation roads.
It’ll additionally beep to warn you whereas it makes an attempt to get you again on the right track, however you do have the choice to show it off with a easy button press on the steering wheel.
The Final can also be the one Torres grade to characteristic adaptive cruise management with lane centring and, in apply, this technique is fairly respectable. It’s far preferable to the antiquated non-adaptive setup in decrease trim ranges, although it’s not fairly as assured round tighter bends as we’d like.
The one different important criticism now we have in regards to the Torres’ driving expertise pertains to its severe blind spots on the rear corners, due to these large C-pillars. They make head checks troublesome until you look by way of the rear door home windows, though blind-spot monitoring is commonplace and helps with this.
However all issues thought of, the Torres Final is kind of acceptable to drive, even when it doesn’t fairly dwell as much as its price ticket. For those who’re a fan of the distinctive design and like the thought of proudly owning a Torres, you’d in all probability received’t thoughts these hiccups.
To see how the KGM Torres stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What do you get?
There are solely three variants of the Torres accessible in Australia, with the Final being the highest grade.
2025 KGM ELX tools highlights:
- 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels
- House-saver spare tyre
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
- Privateness glass
- LED headlights
- Computerized high-beam
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Electrical park brake with auto maintain
- Fabric upholstery
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
- Heated steering wheel
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Reclining rear seats
- Keyless entry
Torres Journey provides:
- Tyre strain monitoring
- LED entrance fog lights
- Fingers-free energy tailgate
- Leatherette upholstery
- Heated entrance seats
Torres Final provides:
- All-wheel drive
- 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels
- Energy sunroof
- Leather-based upholstery
- 8-way energy driver’s seat with energy lumbar
- 8-way energy passenger seat
- Built-in headrest hangers for entrance seats
- Ventilated entrance seats
To see how the KGM Torres stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
Is the KGM Torres secure?
The KGM Torres has but to be assessed by ANCAP.
Normal security tools contains:
- 8 airbags, together with:
- Driver’s knee
- Entrance aspect
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Driver consideration monitor
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Lane-keep help
- Main car departure alert
- Reversing digital camera
- Tyre strain monitoring
Torres Journey provides:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
Torres Final provides:
- Adaptive cruise management
- Lane-centring
- Encompass-view digital camera
To see how the KGM Torres stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
How a lot does the KGM Torres price to run?
KGM Australia backs its automobiles with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee. Servicing is required each 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
| Servicing and Guarantee | KGM Torres |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | Seven years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years |
| Common annual capped-price service price | $382.6 |
| Complete capped-price service price | $2678 |
Present particular person service prices for the Torres are detailed under:
| Service | Worth |
|---|---|
| 1yr, 15,000km | $338 |
| 2yrs, 30,000km | $442 |
| 3yrs, 45,000km | $338 |
| 4yrs, 60,000km | $442 |
| 6yrs, 75,000km | $338 |
| 7yrs, 90,000km | $442 |
| 8yrs, 105,000km | $338 |
To see how the KGM Torres stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the KGM Torres Final
The Torres does most issues okay, however in a sea of mid-size SUVs it isn’t straightforward to search out causes to purchase one.
Trying previous the distinctive and attention-grabbing design, there isn’t a lot that’s remarkably totally different. The small-displacement petrol engine and commonplace torque converter auto make it respectable to drive, and stable inside packaging makes for spacious hauling, however all of those attributes are both on par with or barely inferior to what most different mainstream SUVs provide.
KGM seems to be making an attempt to persuade folks it ‘isn’t just like the others’, as evidenced by the “In-built Korea since 1954” slogan on its seven-year guarantee sticker. Maybe it’s an effort to keep away from confusion with its rising Chinese language competitors.
That competitors can also be an enormous purpose why the Torres is troublesome to suggest. The equally priced MG HS, GWM Haval H6 and Chery Tiggo 7 provide extra options, a greater variety of variants to select from, and the choice of each petrol and hybrid powertrains, together with plug-in hybrid energy for the latter two.
Why ought to patrons ‘make do’ with only one petrol engine for the Torres, particularly when electrification would make sense in a top-spec flagship just like the not-inexpensive Final?
The Torres is a automobile through which most of the fundamentals are sorted, making it a main candidate for KGM to department out into the hybrid market, which might set it aside from some Japanese heavy-hitters just like the Mazda CX-5, at the very least for now.
The recognition of the hybrid-only RAV4 and hybrid variants of different rivals just like the Sportage and Hyundai Tucson exhibits there’s robust purchaser urge for food for electrified powertrains. There’s a hybrid Torres accessible abroad, and introducing it right here with aggressive pricing might assist invigorate the nameplate.
It will additionally set this mid-size SUV aside from the petrol-only Actyon, which outsold the Torres final month regardless of being barely longer and pricier.
For those who’re out there for a medium SUV and assume the Torres seems to be cool with out being too costly, we encourage you to take it for a take a look at drive. Simply don’t be stunned if you find yourself shopping for one thing else as an alternative, even when it’s one thing else throughout the KGM steady.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new KGM Torres. Click on right here to get a terrific deal.
Click on the photographs for the total gallery
