KGM SsangYong is at one and the identical time a model making an attempt to reinvent itself and but additionally remind us that it’s been round a very long time. The truth is, the corporate final yr celebrated 70 years of constructing automobiles (though in 1954 it began as Dong-A Motors — title adjustments are nothing new underneath the solar).
The SsangYong title got here alongside within the Eighties, because the model began to go world alongside fellow Korean expansionists Hyundai, Kia and Daewoo.
Whereas Hyundai and Kia headed for the higher reaches of the gross sales charts, although, SsangYong stalled and needed to be purchased out. Greater than as soon as. The primary time was by Daewoo, which was itself purchased out (and finally dumped) by Basic Motors. Then China’s SAIC had a go, earlier than India’s Mahindra took over the model.
That effort collapsed too, and so in 2022 SsangYong was purchased out by the huge KG Group, a Korean conglomerate with pursuits in all the things from steelmaking to espresso outlets. Globally, SsangYong has now rebranded as KG Mobility, besides right here in Australia, the place the SsangYong a part of title stays.
Not glad with retaining the SsangYong title round, KGM SsangYong has additionally dipped into its personal again catalogue for the badge for this new mid-sized SUV, the Actyon.
Initially launched in 2005 as a fastback SUV — one of many first such fashions, because it occurs — the unique Actyon was, let’s face it, not a lot cop. However KGM SsangYong clearly figures that the title, which additionally appeared on the previous Actyon Sports activities ute, nonetheless has worth.
Now, the Actyon — you’ll be able to pronounce is as ‘Motion’ or ‘Ack-Tee-on’ in accordance with your style — is a slick-looking mid-sized SUV that’s each visually and mechanically associated to the lately launched SsangYong Torres with which KGM SsangYong kicked off its rebranding.
It’s a genuinely good-looking SUV, smoother and sleeker on the rear than the chunkier Torres, with related styling on the entrance. Longer, wider however decrease than the Torres, SsangYong says the Actyon measures 4740mm lengthy (+40mm), making it longer than the 4.7m Toyota RAV4, in addition to 1920mm large (+30mm) and 1680mm tall (-40mm).
There’s a neat design contact within the light-up panel on the entrance, which incorporates a three-bar motif that’s presupposed to remind you of the South Korean flag — KGM SsangYong is eager to not be confused with Chinese language manufacturers — however that may be a contact too refined for anybody aside from knowledgeable geographer.
Other than its completely different rear roofline and LED lighting, the Actyon additionally options restyled bumpers and rides on bigger 20-inch alloy wheel than the Torres.
How a lot does the KGM SsangYong Actyon price?
We don’t have Australian market pricing for the Actyon as but, however the chances are will probably be a bit pricier than the Torres, which ranges from $38,000 in front-wheel drive type to $47,000 in all-wheel drive guise (earlier than on-road prices), because the Actyon is meant to be step one on the model’s barely upmarket push.
It’ll in all probability begin from round $45,000 or so, placing it in the identical ballpark as a Volkswagen Tiguan or Honda CR-V.
Whereas the Actyon doesn’t have the badge enchantment nor mechanical sophistication to compete with these fashions, it ought to come very well-equipped, with a normal surround-view digicam system, entrance and rear heated seats, dual-zone local weather management, two 12.3-inch digital screens on the dashboard, and leather-based upholstery.
To see how the KGM SsangYong Actyon strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What’s the KGM SsangYong Actyon like on the within?
If anybody remembers the unique Actyon, then they in all probability bear in mind its staggeringly brittle plastic inside, which felt like massive chunks might begin coming off in your hand with out warning. This Actyon isn’t like that.
Not like that in any respect, because it occurs, as the brand new Actyon has, just about with out query, essentially the most spectacular inside we’ve seen from a SsangYong-branded product since… properly, ever.
The dual 12.3-inch screens stretch out throughout the sprint in a similar way to these seen in Kia and Hyundai fashions, and so they look good. The instrument display screen makes use of graphics not in contrast to these of a BMW X3, and the show is crisp and straightforward to make use of.
KGM SsangYong has additionally made it blessedly straightforward to modify off the – typically incorrect – computerized pace restrict warning, which simply requires a swipe downward from the highest of the central infotainment display screen and a press of 1 icon.
Nonetheless, the remainder of the touchscreen is much less spectacular, because it’s not essentially the most responsive system round, and most of the menus and on-screen buttons are fiddly to make use of.
The Actyon actually suffers from the virtually whole lack of bodily switchgear. The one such controls within the cabin are the electrical window switches and the buttons on the steering wheel.
In equity, these are good to make use of, and easy, however even the addition of a shortcut button on the wheel, which is meant that will help you navigate extra speedily across the display screen, doesn’t actually assist.
Fortunately, there’s standard-fit Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus wi-fi telephone charging, however the Actyon is one more trendy automotive that actually wants some old school buttons.
Not less than the remainder of the cabin is nice. The entrance seats are coated in good, easy Nappa leather-based (the true stuff, too) and include neat little quilted sections up prime, underneath the pinnacle restraints.
The dashboard too will get some good supplies, together with a smooth suede-like cloth that comes with distinction pink stitching. There’s even a nice slice of wooden trim, though that’s ruined a bit by a gammy panel hole three-quarters of the best way throughout the sprint.
The hexagonal steering wheel is a bit bit unusual to take a look at, but it surely and the mock-crystal gear selector are each on a regular basis touchpoints to which KGM SsangYong has paid clear and shut consideration.
There’s good storage each underneath the entrance seat armrest and in an open space beneath the centre console, two good cupholders and huge door bins – though their lack of lining means objects will rattle round.
Again-seat passengers get pleasure from a number of legroom and headroom, and extra helpful storage within the form of first rate seatback pockets and Kia-style built-in coat hangers within the backs of the entrance seat head restraints. The rear seats additionally recline by as much as 32 levels.
Behind them the boot is exceptionally roomy, at 668 litres as much as the baggage cowl. The boot form is a bit odd – shallow and lengthy – but it surely’s definitely helpful.
That stated, the seats-down quantity of 1568 litres is a contact disappointing, and there’s little under-floor storage. The Actyon has a normal powered tailgate with a kick sensor, however as ever with such issues it’s a bit hit-and-miss.
To see how the KGM SsangYong Actyon strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What’s underneath the bonnet?
For the second, the Actyon comes with just one engine – a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit making as much as 120kW of energy and 280Nm of torque.
There’s no hybrid model, no plug-in hybrid and no prospect of a completely electrical model as KGM SsangYong expects to take its time adopting EV energy, and anyway the prevailing Torres has an electrical model in worldwide markets. Right here in Australia, the Torres shares the Actyon’s 1.5 engine, and far of the construction underneath the bodywork too.
To see how the KGM SsangYong Actyon strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How does the KGM SsangYong Actyon drive?
At first, the Actyon feels fairly optimistic to drive. The 1.5-litre engine isn’t any powerhouse, but it surely’s vigorous sufficient and the on-paper 10.8-second 0-100km/h time feels a bit pessimistic when you’re behind the wheel.
Low-speed refinement is great – KGM SsangYong was eager to level out the Actyon’s further noise-suppressing materials – and the engine solely turns into loud if you ask for full-on acceleration, and even then it’s not too unhealthy.
The steering feels properly weighted, even when it’s probably not as much as telling you a lot about what’s taking place underneath the wheels, and so all of it feels good.
That does fade a bit when you begin introducing the Actyon to some bumps. The springs are simply too agency, and the damping isn’t as much as filtering out the worst results of a poor street floor both.
Given the standard enchantment of KGM SsangYong merchandise to farmers and rural varieties, you’d have thought that the Actyon would have been given softer, longer-travel suspension, however sadly it’s been saddled with a setup that tries to be sporting however simply finally ends up being too hard-riding.
Discover a smoother patch of street, and the Actyon begins to really feel good once more, however you then come up in opposition to its largest dynamic limitation – front-end traction.
Maybe it was a tyre subject (though our take a look at automobiles got here with Michelin rubber) and maybe it was right down to the chilly temperatures wherein our UK-based take a look at drive occurred, however the Actyon has some important points in placing down its energy.
Even with solely 280Nm of torque, the entrance tyres might be simply spun-up into unruly scrambling and the traction management is lazy about placing a cease to that. Quick corners too simply depart the Actyon preventing for front-end grip if you happen to over-cook issues even barely. Drive gently and it’s much less of an issue, however eager drivers will discover this irritating.
It could definitely make you marvel how properly the Actyon would cope away from tarmac. Historically, KGM SsangYong fashions have been fairly rugged on this respect, however this traction subject doesn’t bode properly.
Even so, the Actyon comes with hill descent management, first rate floor clearance and a 300mm wading depth as normal.
To see how the KGM SsangYong Actyon strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What do you get?
Australian costs and specs aren’t set but.
2025 KGM SsangYong Actyon gear highlights:
- Leather-based upholstery
- Heated entrance and rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Two 12.3-inch digital shows
- Computerized transmission
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Constructed-in navigation
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Twin-zone local weather management
To see how the KGM SsangYong Actyon strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
Is the KGM SsangYong Actyon protected?
The Actyon is as but untested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, so we are able to’t inform you how its security ranges have been independently judged.
Nonetheless, one good thing about being a part of the huge KGM Group is that it features a steelmaking firm, and so the Actyon advantages from a considerable amount of high-strength metal in its construction. KGM SsangYong claims that this, together with a complete airbag and digital security rely, ought to imply that the Actyon is a protected automotive.
Normal security gear contains:
- Ahead collision warning and computerized emergency braking
- Lane retaining steering
- Adaptive cruise management with pace limiter
- Pace restrict alert
- Eight airbags
- Blind-spot detection
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Good high-beam
- Hill descent management
To see how the KGM SsangYong Actyon strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How a lot does the KGM SsangYong Actyon price to run?
That is an space the place the Actyon could possibly be tripped up by its lack of hybrid help.
The 1.5-litre engine is fairly thirsty – averaging 8.5 litres per 100km formally, and we noticed extra like 10L/100km on an admittedly brief take a look at route. That type of thirst might result in huge gasoline payments, which you can probably side-step with a hybrid-engined rival.
The Actyon will get the standard KGM SsangYong Australia guarantee – seven years and limitless mileage.
To see how the KGM SsangYong Actyon strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the KGM SsangYong Actyon
There are some notable flaws for the Actyon to work round – the traction subject, the engine’s thirst, the overly agency experience high quality and the fiddly infotainment system – however as a primary step in the direction of a barely extra upmarket picture for the model, the Actyon is broadly profitable.
It’s good wanting, has a good-looking and roomy cabin, and an enormous boot. With the best pricing, this could possibly be a substantial success for KGM SsangYong, and one other worthwhile addition to Australia’s already-booming mid-sized SUV market.
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