New ute could change the game: 2025 KGM Ssangyong Musso electric ute could beat Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick to market but will it blitz dual-cab staples such as the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux?

KGM SsangYong has shared the first official exterior images of its upcoming electric ute, the Musso EV.

Set to launch in Australia later this year, the images show a practically identical car to the 2023 concept, albeit with different smaller wheel designs and no door-mounted side steps.

The rest of the car maintains design hallmarks, such as its Torres EVX front end and Musso-inspired rear three quarters.

It is the first time we’ve seen ‘AWD’ badging below the car’s side mirrors, which suggests it will launch with an all-wheel drive version, contrary to previous reports that it would be front-wheel drive initially with an all-wheel drive version to come later.

Additionally, it is also the first time we’ve seen the Musso EVX with a canopy.

There is also a rooftop cargo carrier, while KGM Ssangyong has confirmed the Musso EV will be available with skid plates, a deck divider, a roll bar, a sliding rear bed and something called a desktop.

The Musso EV will occupy a unique segment in the Australian market when it arrives this year, given the car-based EV ute — which is built on the mid-size Torres EVX platform — will be smaller than dual-cab staples, such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max.

Think of the Ssangyong Musso electric ute more as a Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick rival, only electric.

We don’t know yet how its dimensions will shape up yet, but we do know some details about what will be powering it.

Homologation filings in South Korea revealed it will have at least 400km of driving range thanks to an 80.6kWh lithium-ion phosphate Blade battery sourced from BYD.

We don’t know the motor configuration or outputs yet. The Torres EVX can offer some clues, with a single electric motor putting out 152kW/339Nm. A twin-motor AWD version could double outputs.

The Musso EV is likely to be KGM SsangYong’s first EV in Australia, despite the brand also confirming the Torres EVX for our market.

Firm dates remain off the table for now, so it’s likely we will have to wait for the Musso EVs launch in South Korea next month before any further updates.