MORE SPECIAL K (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

KGM's Torres mid-sized SUV makes more sense in this Hybrid form. Jonathan Crouch takes a closer look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 31

The appeal of KGM's Torres mid-sized SUV is broadened quite a lot by this Hybrid model. The powertrain is quite sophisticated and the value proposition is strong. Worth a look then.

Backgroundword count: 109

The Torres was the SUV that launched the new KGM brand (formally SsangYong) in the UK in 2024. But since then, you might have struggled to find reasons to buy this mid-sized Korean SUV. The ordinary petrol version was thirsty. And the pricier EV variant not especially efficient by class standards either. KGM needed to offer another powertrain option - and this Hybrid unit is it. This is the first Hybrid engine KGM has made, developed in collaboration with Chinese maker BYD, and is a proper full-Hybrid set-up, though you can't plug it in. As you'd expect from the brand, there's value pricing and lots of equipment. Interested yet?

Driving Experienceword count: 291

Not for KGM an ineffectual, simplistic mild hybrid solution. In fact the engineering here is quite complex, though unusually for a Hybrid powertrain connected with BYD, you can't plug it in. As with the ordinary petrol Torres, there's 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, but here it produces slightly more power (177hp) thanks to the addition of two electric motors and a six-speed e-DHT automatic gearbox. There's 300Nm of torque (30Nm more than the ordinary petrol model), but that's not enough to tow more than 1,300kg (200kg down on the ordinary model). 0-62mph takes 9s (a couple of seconds quicker than the ordinary model) en route to 112mph. Drive is only through the front wheels; unlike with the ordinary petrol model, there's no AWD option. The powertrain has no fewer than nine different driving modes able to alter it for differing scenarios. Unless you're in the engine-only setting that preserves charge in the battery, most of your driving in town will be done without the aid of combustion power. In fact, KGM claims that the Torres Hybrid can do 95% of its city driving on battery power alone and all-electric driving in EV mode is possible at speeds of up to 62mph. There's a three-setting regenerative braking set-up to recharge the batteries as you drive. Which most of the time will be in the HEV mode that combines both electric and petrol driving. As with any other Torres, don't expect cutting-edge drive dynamics - but since when has any SUV 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.

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227