We highway take a look at the all-new KGM Actyon, a placing SUV from the corporate previously often known as SsangYong…
Due to the massive success of Hyundai and Kia, it’s typically forgotten that South Korea can be the house of KGM.
To chop an extended story brief, SsangYong Motor UK rebranded to KGM Motors within the UK in 2024 after the acquisition of the SsangYong Motor Firm in Korea by the KG Group in 2022.
Although the corporate can hint its heritage again to 1954, it’s truthful to say that its automobiles haven’t precisely set the world on hearth.
What’s extra, its present bestseller isn’t a automobile in any respect – it’s the award-winning Musso pick-up – most lately 4×4 Journal’s Finest Worth Decide-Up for 2024, no much less.
The Actyon (pronounced act-e-yon) is marketed as a “coupe SUV” by KGM, although it doesn’t have a fastback-style sloping rear roofline like others in that class.
The primary new KGM mannequin, the Actyon is predicated on the identical platform as the marginally smaller Torres SUV, and it has the big-selling Kia Sportage in its sights.
Different doable rivals embody the Toyota RAV4, Vauxhall Grandland, Skoda Kodiaq, MG HS, Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Path and Hyundai Tucson.
The KGM Actyon actually has kerb attraction. It has a rakish profile with a chunky C-pillar and massive 20-inch wheels, a particular entrance finish that includes slim lights and a grille that’s speculated to evoke the strains of the South Korean flag, plus a rear with hints of the Vary Rover Velar.
If the outside is a pleasing shock, the inside continues to impress. The Actyon is extra upmarket than you might need anticipated, with hand-stitched black Nappa leather-based seats and stylish supplies similar to suede and wood-effect trim.
There are 12.3-inch dashboard screens side-by-side – a central infotainment that includes TomTom navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, media and local weather controls, plus a driver’s show with the necessities.
Fortunately, KGM hasn’t performed a Tesla and gone all minimalist, and there’s a giant shortcut button on the almost-hexagonal steering wheel, which could be configured. The infotainment display graphics should not top-notch, however work nicely sufficient. As with all touchscreen-based infotainment, there’s only a tad an excessive amount of prodding and swiping.
Then there’s the large sense of house contained in the cabin. There’s no seven-seat possibility, however rear passengers can stretch out and headroom isn’t any difficulty both. With a big 668-litre boot, which expands to 1,568 litres with the 60:40 rear seats folded down, it ticks a number of containers.
Priced from simply £36,995, it represents quite a lot of automobile in your cash. KGM have stored it easy too, as a result of there’s only one full-loaded trim degree. So, goodies similar to a hands-free kick-motion energy tailgate, entrance and rear heated seats, ventilated entrance seats, heated steering wheel and distant rear-seat heating management are all customary.
The one engine possibility is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol turbo which develops 161bhp and is paired with a six-speed computerized gearbox, whereas drive is through the entrance wheels.
It’s filled with security and driver help tech too, so that you’ll discover all the things from adaptive cruise management to lane-keeping help and autonomous emergency braking (AEB).
The KGM Actyon is a little bit of a revelation on the highway. There’s a commanding view over the chunky bonnet due to the excessive driving place and visibility is mostly good. These massive rear pillars can lead to a little bit of blind spot when reversing, however the 360-degree 3D encompass view digital camera system takes care of that.
The Actyon feels substantial and the journey is a tad agency, however not uncomfortably so. On the plus aspect, when it’s pushed in quicker corners it stays remarkably flat.
The steering is properly weighted and it bowls alongside properly with good grip and respectable traction for a front-wheel drive SUV.
The engine could appear small for a giant automobile, however it’s gutsy and the Actyon feels quicker than its 10.8-second 0-62mph time would recommend. It’s refined too for probably the most half, solely turning into harsh beneath aggressive acceleration.
In-cabin refinement is helped by a set of Michelin noise-cancelling tyres, laminated entrance door glass and all-round stable construct high quality.
There are three driving modes – Regular, Sport and Winter. Regular was simply superb, Sport sharpened up the throttle response, whereas Winter appeared so as to add slightly traction on my moist grass take a look at.
It’s a disgrace that there isn’t a four-wheel drive possibility as a result of it has built-in off-road functionality due to an strategy angle of 17.6 levels and a departure angle of 21.4 levels, and it has a wading depth of as much as 300mm at speeds under 18mph.
For the document, it additionally has a helpful towing capability of as much as 1.5 tonnes braked (750kg unbraked), plus the Actyon comes with a five-year/100,000 mileage guarantee and 12-month RAC Roadside Help.
Just about all good thus far, however no automobile is ideal and the KGM Actyon isn’t any exception.
You see, that petrol engine doesn’t have a whiff of electrification – it’s not even a light hybrid, which is uncommon for a brand-new mannequin nowadays.
The result’s a automobile with poor official WLTP figures – that’s 33.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 194g/km (thus incurring a hefty first-year VED cost).
What’s extra, within the real-world you’ll solely get near that type of financial system on an extended, regular run. I solely achieved round 27mpg throughout my highway take a look at.
Perhaps there shall be an EV model, just like the Torres EVX, at some stage, however for now it’s what it’s.
In the end, the Actyon is nice worth for cash and an actual step-up for KGM when it comes to high quality, however its poor gas effectivity is a giant, black mark..
Verdict: In the event you’re searching for an aesthetic, spacious SUV that’s nicely made, protected, stands out from the gang and drives nicely, then the all-new KGM Actyon ought to be in your shortlist. Simply take a look at the operating prices earlier than you signal on the dotted line.
KGM Motors UK
