MUST-HAVE EV PICK-UP? (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

KGM's Musso EV pick-up looks a competitive proposition - but you'll need to know what you're buying. Jonathan Crouch takes a closer look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 22

KGM enters the electric pick-up market with the Musso EV. If towing and payload aren't priorities, this smartly-packaged Korean contender might appeal.

Backgroundword count: 206

For the time being, there aren't too many choices for the relatively few people in the UK who currently want an EV pick-up. Here though, is what for some could be a more palatable option than the contenders currently available. The KGM Musso EV. It enters a market that currently is populated by only two other models. The only one to retain a diesel-like payload is the Isuzu D-Max EV, but that's rather over-priced. A better all-rounder is the Maxus eTerron9, but it looks weird and the brand is unproven. So you'd think that this smart-looking Musso EV might arouse some interest, particularly at its more affordable price. KGM, if you weren't aware, is the re-branded name for the marque that used to be known as SsangYong in the UK. SsangYong first introduced a car with the Musso badge back in 1994 - an SUV that used Mercedes technology. The Musso badge was reintroduced, this time on a pick-up, by SsangYong in 2018 and since then that model has been sold with a 2.2-litre diesel engine, which continues in the showrooms alongside this EV. The SsangYong Musso pick-up was branded 'KGM' at the beginning of 2024. So let's take a closer look at this electric pick-up.

Driving Experienceword count: 243

First to the stuff you'll need to know. The Musso EV has an electric motor on each axle, so is 4WD (unlike the very first electric pick-up to be launched in the UK, the old Maxus T90). This KGM's total output is 207PS, with 339Nm of torque. For segment perspective, that's a lot more than an Isuzu D-Max EV, but nowhere near the figure of a Maxus eTerron9. Much the same could be said of this KGM's EV range figure of 249 miles from its 80.6kWh battery. Three drive modes are available - 'Eco', 'Sport' and 'Winter'; plus for some reason there's an EV mode button. There are also steering wheel paddles via which you can vary the strength of the regenerative braking system. KGM has chosen to fit rear coil springs rather than the usual pick-up rear leaf springs and though this compromises the Musso's payload, it does at least give it class-leading ride quality, fitting in with what the brand claims is this models more 'urban' remit. There's great all-round visibility from the raised driving position and the turning circle of 12.4-metres is acceptable by class standards. Off-road, you're going to be slightly limited by the relatively low ride height of 181.4mm. The off-road stats are 20.2-degrees for the approach angle and a departure angle of 24.3-degrees. Self-levelling suspension maintains constant rear ride height under different loads without compromising ride quality and stability. 0-62mph takes about 8s en route to 110mph.

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