Review: 2025 KGM Musso Saracen +
Let’s face it, in a world where pickups are getting fancier than a Range Rover on its way to a Cheltenham lunch, the 2025 KGM Musso Saracen is a bit of an oddball. And that’s precisely why we like it.
It’s not trying to be something it’s not. It doesn’t need to have ambient lighting that mimics your mood, or an air suspension that can whisper you over potholes while it plays Enya. The Musso Saracen is more flat cap than fedora, more Thermos flask than barista-grade coffee machine. And that, dear reader, makes it a proper working truck, albeit with a few quirks we’ll happily moan about for your reading pleasure.
On-Road Ride – Surprisingly Civilised
Climb aboard the Musso Saracen, and the first thing you’ll notice is… you haven’t shattered a vertebrae yet. That’s a rare thing to say about a pickup. Thanks to coil springs at the rear (unless you’re going for the optional heavy-duty leafs), the ride is actually quite composed, especially when unladen. There’s a bit of jiggle at the back, as you’d expect from a ladder-framed pickup with a long bed, but it’s never unsettled or crashy.
Around town, it soaks up the usual lumps and bumps of British roads like a sponge. The steering is light, maybe too light for some, but it’s a blessing in tight car parks or when backing a trailer onto your mate’s uneven farm track. And on the motorway? Surprisingly hushed. Road noise is minimal and engine drone is kept to a polite grumble.
Chuck it into a corner and, well… don’t. It’s still a big, tall pickup with a nose longer than your dad’s fishing stories. But drive it like the working truck it is, and the Saracen is a genuinely comfy place to spend time.
Off-Road Capability – Not Quite a Mountain Goat
Here’s where the Musso starts to lose a bit of its credentials. While the Saracen has selectable 4WD, low-range gearing, hill descent control and a respectable amount of traction, it’s let down by three key things: ground clearance, approach angle, and departure angle.
You’d expect a 4x4 pickup to charge over ruts, rocks and rough trails with the enthusiasm of a Labrador in a muddy stream. But thanks to that front bumper jutting out like a stubborn chin, and a departure angle not helped by the long overhang at the back, you’ll find the Musso belly-flopping onto terrain that a Hilux and Ranger would skip over.
KGM quotes a ground clearance of 215mm, which sounds OK on paper, but in the real world you’ll be feeling the odd bump underneath more often than you’d like. It’s fine for green lanes, gravel tracks, and wet fields, ideal for farmers and tradies, but serious off-roading? You’ll want to be cautious with your line, and perhaps invest in some underbody protection if you fancy a weekend up in the Dales.
Still, low range works well, and the traction control system doesn’t throw a wobbler the moment things get slippery. Mud, sand, snow, the Musso will give it a good go. Just don’t expect it to tackle hardcore rocky trails without a scrape or two. But as I said before, it’s a proper working pickup, not a weekend off-roader.
Interior Spec – Far Better Than You’d Think
Right, let’s be honest, for a truck that costs significantly less than many rivals, the Saracen’s cabin is a bit of a revelation.
The seats are leather. They’re heated. There’s an 8” digital instrument cluster, a 12.3” infotainment screen (more on that in a moan), dual-zone climate control, a 360° camera, and even a heated steering wheel.
This is not a cab built for pain and punishment. It’s actually quite a pleasant place to be, with decent materials, a logical layout (mostly), and a genuinely premium feel for something that might spend most of its life covered in dog hair, hay, or your mate’s cement mixer slurry.
There’s loads of headroom and legroom, even in the back. The rear bench is more comfortable than most double cabs, and the cabin is wide enough to avoid accidental thigh touching with your passenger.
Comfort – Plenty of Cush For Your Tush
There’s no denying the Musso is built with long days in mind. The seats are broad and supportive, the driving position is commanding without being bus driver-like, and visibility is excellent. Mirrors are big and proper, and the reversing camera is clear enough to see if you’ve flattened your own fencepost.
Even after 5-hours behind the wheel returning from Cardiff on a Friday afternoon, or trundling across a wet sheep field, the Saracen doesn’t wear you out. Sure, it’s still a pickup, but it’s a comfy one.
Practicality – A Lads-and-Dogs Favourite
Let’s talk beds. The Musso has the longest load bed of any double-cab pickup on sale in the UK, just over 1.6 metres long, and over 1.5 metres wide. You can chuck in a full-sized Euro pallet and still have room for your Spaniel and a crate of Yorkshire Tea.
Payload is a beefy 1,105kg in standard spec, though this drops a bit if you opt for the heavier leaf-sprung rear. Towing? Up to 3,500kg, matching the best of the bunch, and with a trailer stability program to help keep your caravan or horse box in check.
Inside, there’s plenty of cubbies, cupholders and useful storage for your tat. You can even get a hardtop or roller shutter as part of the official accessories list.
Fuel Efficiency – Not Shocking, But Not Shiny Either
Under the bonnet, the 2025 Musso Saracen packs a 2.2-litre turbo diesel good for 202PS and 441Nm of torque. It’s mated to an Aisin 6-speed automatic gearbox that’s smooth enough for everyday use.
Official combined MPG hovers around 30.8mpg, but in our mixed testing, country lanes, a splash of motorway, a bit of town, we actually managed 34.6mpg. Not awful for a full-size pickup,.
Towing or loading it up will see that figure drop closer to the low 20s, but again, it’s a pickup. You don’t buy one expecting Prius-level efficiency.
Infotainment & Irritations – The Usual Suspects
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty, or should I say, the infuriating techy bits.
Lane departure warning. It’s there. And it’s naggy, but thankfully, it can be switched off, by a simple button on the steering wheel.
Although the Saracen doesn’t have proper rotary temperature dials, you don’t have to go rummaging through a touchscreen to find them as they’re within easy reach just about the gear selector. Oh yeah, and in the Saracen + you get heated and cooling seats.
The infotainment screen is sharp, supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and doesn’t lag too badly.
Verdict – A Honest Truck With a Few Honest Grumbles
So, where does the 2025 KGM Musso Saracen stand?
It’s a proper working pickup, no doubt. It’s comfy, well-equipped, has the best load bed in the biz, and drives surprisingly well on the road. It’ll tow your trailer, carry your tools, and look after your behind on long days.
But it’s not the ultimate off-roader. Those approach and departure angles, plus limited ground clearance, hold it back from green lane glory. If you want something to bash about in the forest, a lifted Hilux or Isuzu D-Max might be better. But if your weekends involve dog walks, DIY stores and dragging a trailer through muddy tracks, the Musso will do it all with minimal fuss.
On the whole, the Saracen is easy to live with, cheaper than most, and more capable than it often gets credit for. It’s the kind of truck that doesn’t need a PR team to explain itself. It just gets on with the job. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what a proper pickup’s supposed to do?
The KGM Musso Saracen is the kind of motor you’d take for a pint and trust to drive you home after. A dependable, no-frills workhorse that just happens to have a heated steering wheel. Just mind the nose when heading off-road, and be ready to prod a few screens.
Website: KGM Musso UK
Price: From £30,965