Cheap Toyota RAV4 rival's launch line-up previewed: 2025 Ssangyong Torres SUV approved for sale in Australia ahead of Hyundai Tucson and GWM Haval H6 alternative's release

The Ssangyong Torres has appeared in Australian compliance documents ahead of its official release.

The 4.7-metre long family SUV has so far only appeared in combustion engine guise, with CarsGuide being told the EVX electric model will arrive before the end of the year.

Ssangyong’s communications representative John Taylor did not comment on what the Torres’ appearance in documents meant for a launch date, though it would make sense the SUV's release is imminent.

There are three variants of the combustion Torres listed, all using the same 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder developing 120kW and 280Nm. All models use a six-speed Aisin-sourced automatic transmission. 

Two trims, Adventure and ELX, are complied as front-wheel drive while the flagship Ultimate scores all-wheel drive. 

Ssangyong wouldn’t be drawn on whether the three-strong line-up would arrive unchanged in Australia but it would make sense for the Korean brand to offer such a selection.

The main difference we can spot between trims is wheel size, with 17- 18- and 20-inch alloys approved for sale. Full specifications will be confirmed closer to release.

The Torres certainly stands out visually – important for a new player – with bold off-road themed styling including a contrast strake for the C-pillar, black wheel arch cladding, front skid plate and red recovery-point lookalike trim pieces dotted around the vehicle.

Inside there is a familiar flat-bottom four-spoke steering wheel from the Korando though everything else is new. There’s more than a hint of Volkswagen to the styling in the Torres, with a very similar looking shift-by-wire gear selector and spacious centre console storage.

A pair of 12.3-inch screens (one touch for the multimedia system) sit atop the dashboard and give connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are six speakers as standard. 

The Torres sits above existing Korando and is physically bigger than a Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage.

Instead, the new Torres exists in a space with the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and Skoda Kodiaq, though with seating limited to five adults. That translates to a massive boot space, Ssangyong claiming 703 litres with all seats in place.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed but to compete in a market filled with tech-packed cheap Chinese rivals such as the GWM Haval H6, Ssangyong will need to get its new Torres to start well under $40K drive-away if it is to succeed. 

The Korando is currently on offer from $31,000 drive-away and Ssangyong has delivered 272 units this year, down 15.8 per cent. 

While the Korean carmaker has rebranded to KG Mobility and trades under the KGM Motors name in markets like the UK, it looks like Australia will retain Ssangyong in some form, likely transitioning to KGM Ssangyong. The new Torres is devoid of KGM or Ssangyong branding.

Currently, Ssangyong sells the Musso ute, Rexton 4x4 SUV and Korando medium SUV in Australia. There is a host of new product coming thanks to fresh owners, however. 

The petrol version of the Torres SUV will be followed by the EVX electric model in the fourth quarter of this year. KGM/Ssangyong’s latest new model, the Actyon coupe-like SUV, is also under consideration for our market.