2023 Ssangyong Torres is coming to Australia! New rugged family SUV to take on Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, Jeep Cherokee and more

If you thought there were enough SUVs on the market already, then think again!

South Korean brand Ssangyong has just ripped the covers from its new SUV model line, dubbed the Torres, further increasing its SUV offering.

Despite Ssangyong’s ownership dramas, it looks like the company is pressing ahead with model rollouts and the Torres will bring its line-up to five models globally.

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In good news for Aussie Ssangyong fans, the Torres - dubbed J100 during development - looks set to become part of the local line-up when right-hand drive production ramps up sometime in 2023.

The rugged-looking SUV will sit above the Kordano mid-size SUV in Ssangyong’s line-up, and the new model is slightly larger than its sibling.

It adopts a butch and capable exterior design, with a slimline six-bar grille surrounded by a pair of integrated LED headlights. This was seen in earlier spy shots published by CarsGuide.

The squared off wheel arches follow the boxy vibe at the front end, but it takes a more American flavour at the rear, with vertical LED tail-lights.

It appears to feature a cargo box on the right side C-pillar, similar to a Land Rover Defender. It’s unclear if that will be offered in Australia.

Inside it takes on a more luxurious look compared with the Korando, with lots of leather inserts as well as three digital screens for instrument cluster, 12.3-inch multimedia and 8.8-inch climate controls.

In terms of cargo, the Torres can swallow between 703 and 1662 litres of luggage, depending on the seating configuration.

SsangYong is keeping its ink dry when it comes to mechanicals, but it will reportedly be powered by a version of the 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine found in the Kordando, yet uprated to 125kW and 280Nm.

Given its size, it will compete against other models in the Korando’s segment, like the segment-leading Toyota RAV4, as well as the Subaru Forester, Kia Sportage and Jeep Cherokee.

Pricing is unclear at this stage but it could carry a premium over the Korando given its positioning.

The value-focused Korando currently ranges from $29,990 to $39,990 drive-away.