The Torres is the first model SsangYong has launched since it changed ownership and changed names to KGM SsangYong.
The new model hits the over-saturated mid-sized SUV segment but it's fresh styling and practical cabin space might be what sets it apart.
We're family-testing the mid-spec Adventure grade to see if its lives up to its name.
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SsangYong Rexton 2024 review: Adventure
Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 9/10
9 / 10
There are three variants available for the Torres. All figures below are quoted as drive-away pricing, including its rivals.
The base grade ELX starts at a low $38,000, then you move up to the model on test for this review, which is the Adventure and it is priced from $43,000. The top-grade Ultimate model is only a little more expensive at $47,000.
Compared to its rivals, the Adventure is positioned towards the bottom end of the market with the closest rival, the Kia Sportage SX+ sitting at $46,476. Then comes the Hyundai Tucson Elite at $48,531 and the Toyota RAV4 XSE sits at the top at $54,337.
All Torres grades are well-specified but the Adventure gets solid standard equipment like synthetic leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel and front seats, dual 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system and instrument cluster, wired Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto, four USB-C ports, two 12-volt sockets, 18-inch alloys and a temporary spare tyre.
Practicality is ensured with the dual-zone climate control, auto start/stop, keyless entry and start, reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers, LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, extendable sun visors, and powered tailgate.
You miss out on electric front seats but honestly, in terms of value, the Torres Adventure nails it.
Design – Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10
9 / 10
Despite sharing similar underpinnings to the Korando, the Torres is its own model when it comes to design.
It seems to borrow from a few different sources and there are some Kia Sportage and Land Rover Defender elements that are easy to see once you start looking closely.
It's refreshing to see such a bold and personality-rich design in this segment but there is a tendency to favour form over function.
There are handles on the bonnet which serve no purpose, a fake ‘wheel cover’ design on the rear (which is annoyingly off-centre) and a bunch of fake vents scattered across the car.
It looks like an SUV you would take off road but if this was a movie, it would be the actor instead of the stunt double.
Head inside and you'll find a gorgeous cabin with copper accent panels, thick soft-touchpoints and black synthetic leather trims.
The dashboard features contrasting stitching in copper and is headlined by a massive display panel that houses the dual 12.3-inch technology panels that look awesome.
Despite still featuring a few notes of harder plastics, the cabin still feels high-end and well-built. Although it has the largest steering wheel I’ve seen in the segment.
Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside? 8/10
8 / 10
The cabin of the Torres almost defies its mid-size tag because there is oodles of space for taller occupants. Both rows feature excellent access with the 195mm ground clearance and wide door apertures. My eight-year-old son loved his view this week and didn’t have any issue climbing in and out.
Despite lacking lumbar support, seat comfort is best in the front and fatigue doesn't set in too quickly on longer journeys. The rear row offers plenty of under-bum padding but the backs are decidedly flat, expect a bit of movement from passengers in corners.
There are lots of storage options with a glovebox that can house a manual, mid-sized middle console, shelf underneath the centre console, six drink bottle holders, four cup holders and a phone tray.
The boot has a great luggage capacity of up to 703L when all seats are in use and the rear row has a 60/40 split to open up storage options if you need to.
The touchscreen multimedia system is a bit too simple in terms of its information and customisation. It's responsive but functionality isn't always the best. Music playing over Bluetooth hardly ever connects automatically, you have to select the Bluetooth function which is annoying while on the go. The radio is pretty crappy as it rarely picks up any stations and when it does there is a lot of static.
You do get wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the CarPlay easy enough to connect to.
Charging options are good with four USB-C ports and two 12-volt sockets, one of which is located in the boot. But you do miss out on a wireless charging pad in this grade.
The rear row features enough amenities to keep occupants happy, like the charging options, directional air vents, armrest and map pockets but my son said it was hard to position the air vents to blow air directly on to him.
Under the bonnet – What are the key stats for its engine and transmission? 8/10
8 / 10
All Torres models share the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine but the Adventure model is a front-wheel drive, and the only grade that has an all-wheel drive is the Ultimate.
This is surprising as the Adventure moniker would suggest AWD capability ... so you could actually go adventuring.
The Torres offers up to 120kW of power and 280Nm of torque, and features a smooth six-speed auto transmission which is enough to ensure that it is is a pleasant open-roader.
Efficiency – What is its fuel consumption? What is its driving range? 8/10
8 / 10
The official combined fuel cycle figure is 7.4L/100km and based on its 50L fuel tank, you should see a theoretical driving range of up to 676km. That’s not the best range we’ve seen in this segment but it’s still respectable for the odd longer road trip.
After doing a good mix of open-road and urban driving this week, I’ve managed a real world usage of 7.7L which is a great result overall.
Driving – What's it like to drive? 7/10
7 / 10
When it comes to power and its delivery, the Torres is willing but never spritely. It’s a bit sluggish off the mark and the auto-stop/start feature doesn't help but there is a decent well of power to dip into once you get going, making this a solid open-roader.
The steering can feel a bit wishy-washy on a winding road but there’s surprisingly not that much roll. Suspension is good without feeling floaty and you’re not bothered by the bigger bumps.
Visibility is good most of the time but occasionally the passenger side A-pillar can hinder, at least from my driving position. The back window is a smidge too small for my liking, especially on an SUV of this size.
The Torres doesn’t feel too big to park and the reversing camera is clear and features dynamic guidelines but all SUVs should have a 360-degree system, considering their bulk.
Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating? 7/10
7 / 10
The Torres is so new that it hasn't been tested with ANCAP yet and is thus, unrated but it has eight airbags, including a front centre airbag.
Standard equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, driver attention alert, safe exit warning, tyre pressure monitoring, forward collision warning, front fog lights, LED DRLs, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping/departure aids, reversing camera, front/rear parking sensors and cruise control.
Note - it's not adaptive cruise control. Sometimes adaptive cruise control systems can be all over the place with when they 'slow' down and how they function in the real world. The system in the Torres is old-school but steady to use and operate.
Curiously, despite having both functions, you have to choose whether the lane keeping aid or lane departure warning is active.
The Torres has two ISOFIX child seat mounts and three top-tethers. The back seat is wide enough to accommodate three child seats if they're not too large.
The Torres has AEB but it's operational parameters haven't been assessed yet.
Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs? 9/10
9 / 10
The Torres comes with a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty which is great for the class and a seven-year capped-price servicing program for $2678, at an average of $383 per service, which is very reasonable.
Intervals are good at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.
Verdict
The KGM SsangYong Torres Adventure feels fresh-faced and offers competitive pricing and ongoing costs. Some of the technology could use a little tweaking but the cabin is practical and you get a fair amount of luxury features for its price tag. Value is assured and this is one to consider.
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