KGM Drive Day – Mud, Motors and Breakfast
T’other week I found myself on the receiving end of a rather lovely invitation from KGM (formerly SsangYong, for those still catching up) to head down to Stoneleigh and have a play with their latest fleet. A proper drive day, not a PowerPoint marathon, which is always a good start.
Billed as a casual “drop in and drive” affair, the day was actually piggybacking on a dealer training event. That meant KGM had the run of the facility on the Friday for a small group of media and fleet folk. The promise? No presentations, plenty of cars, and plenty of food. Say no more. I left Muddy Towers just after 6am, fuelled by optimism and the vague memory of my alarm going off.
On offer were the Actyon Hybrid, Torres Hybrid, Rexton, Musso EV, and, most importantly, a chance to take the Musso around an off-road course run by the ever-capable Explore 4x4 team. Naturally, priorities were established immediately.
After a couple of bacon, sausage and hash brown butties (what — I’m a growing lad), I jumped straight into the nearest Musso, plonked myself next to a professional off-road driving instructor, and off we went.
Awful Weather, Perfect Conditions
Thankfully, and I really do mean thankfully, the weather was absolutely dreadful. Biblical rain, standing water, greasy surfaces… the sort of conditions that turn a polite little off-road course into something far more revealing. Short and technical, yes, but properly wet and sloppy. Exactly what you want when testing any 4x4 system.
Now, regular Mud Life readers will know I’ve driven more Mussos than I can reasonably justify, both on and off road, so I already know they’re far more capable than people give them credit for. This one, however, had a little bonus: it was running the new BFGoodrich KO3 All-Terrains.
That alone was enough to make me grin like a child who’s just been told school’s cancelled. And to be fair, it didn’t disappoint.
The Musso’s four-wheel-drive system just gets on with it. No drama, no flashing lights having a panic attack, just steady, predictable progress through mud, ruts and greasy climbs. As I’ve said many times before, the Musso will often take you further than you expect, provided you respect what it is.
And by that I mean this isn’t a pickup designed for rough-and-ready green-laning. Reduced approach angle and ground clearance mean it’s not itching to tackle the likes of Bastard’s Lane in Wales — and that’s absolutely fine. There’s no pretence here. The Musso knows exactly what it is: a proper, honest, value-for-money working pickup that’s happiest hauling kit, towing heavy things and earning its keep.
And speaking of which, it’s still — as far as I’m aware — the only pickup on the UK market that can carry a one-tonne payload while towing 3.5 tonnes. Why that’s still the case remains one of life’s little mysteries.
Rexton: Quietly Excellent
After drying off slightly and reacquainting myself with the catering, it was time to jump into the Rexton. I won’t dwell too much on this one, as I’m booking one in for a full test soon, but even on the grim, wet roads around Stoneleigh and Coventry, it impressed.
Grip was excellent, ride comfort was spot on, and there was a sense of calm about it that’s becoming a bit of a KGM hallmark. Like so many vehicles in the range, the Rexton doesn’t shout about itself, it just does what it’s supposed to do, and does it well.
Musso EV: A Different Take on a Pickup
Next up was something a little different: the new Musso EV.
At first glance, it’s a neater, more compact pickup than most of what we’re used to seeing, and honestly, it wears that well. It looks smart without trying too hard, and crucially, it still looks like a pickup, not a crossover that’s accidentally reversed into a skip.
On the road, the electric drivetrain immediately makes itself known. It’s smooth, quiet and surprisingly punchy away from junctions, especially in the wet conditions we were dealing with that day. Torque delivery is instant, which makes pulling out onto soggy A-roads or dealing with traffic around Stoneleigh refreshingly easy.
Range-wise, KGM is talking in the region of 250 miles WLTP, which in the real world is likely to translate to something more sensible, particularly if you’re carrying weight or spending time on motorways. Still, for urban users, fleets, site work, or anyone whose pickup life doesn’t involve crossing counties daily, it makes a lot of sense.
Load capacity remains very respectable for an electric pickup, and while it’s not trying to replace a full-fat, diesel workhorse like the Musso ICE, it doesn’t feel compromised either.
Payload / load capacity: 690 kg
Braked towing capacity: 1,800 kg
Unbraked towing capacity: 750 kg
The load bed is still usable, the driving position is familiar, and crucially, it doesn’t feel like an EV that’s been bolted together for the sake of it.
What struck me most was how normal it felt, and I mean that as a compliment. No gimmicks, no weirdness, just a genuinely usable electric pickup that’ll quietly get on with the job while the weather does its worst outside.
Final Thoughts
All told, the KGM drive day was exactly what it promised to be: relaxed, well-fed, and refreshingly light on corporate nonsense. The conditions were grim, the roads were filthy thanks to ongoing motorway extension works, and yet every vehicle I drove stayed sure-footed and unfussed throughout.
KGM continues to quietly carve out its own space, offering honest, capable vehicles that prioritise value, usability and real-world performance over flashy nonsense. And frankly, days like this just reinforce why they deserve more attention than they often get.
Now, about those breakfast butties…
Website: KGM-Motors-UK