Review: 2026 KGM Actyon Hybrid
There’s something quite refreshing about KGM these days. A few years ago, the company formerly known as SsangYong was still associated with slightly oddball SUVs bought mainly by farmers, dog owners and taxi drivers who were tempted by the 7-year, 150k-mile warranty. Fast forward to 2026 and KGM suddenly seems to have discovered tailoring, moisturiser and expensive coffee.
The new Actyon Hybrid is proof of that transformation. Sitting above the Torres in the KGM range, the Actyon is the brand’s attempt at a more premium SUV experience. Or, to put it another way, it’s KGM trying to muscle into the territory occupied by things like the Kia Sportage Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Nissan X-Trail e-Power.
And do you know what? It actually works.
At first glance, the Actyon Hybrid has genuine road presence. The styling is chunky, clean and modern, with a broad front grille, slim LED lighting and enough bluff-faced confidence to make lesser crossovers look a bit apologetic.
The slightly sloping rear isn’t overly dramatic either. Unlike some SUVs that sacrifice practicality in the pursuit of looking sporty, the Actyon still resembles something a normal person could actually use. It looks expensive without trying too hard. That’s quite an achievement for a brand that used to produce vehicles which resembled melted wellington boots. Okay, maybe I’m being a bit harsh.
Under the bonnet sits a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with an electric motor and hybrid transmission, producing a combined 176PS and 300Nm of torque. It’s front-wheel drive only in the UK, which immediately tells you where this car’s priorities lie. This isn’t pretending to be a hardcore mud-plugger. It’s a family SUV designed for road-biased buyers who occasionally venture onto damp campsites or grassy car parks at country shows. And honestly, that’s probably the right call.
On The Road – Surprisingly Refined, Actually
The first thing that stands out when driving the Actyon Hybrid is how grown-up it feels. Older KGM products often had a slightly agricultural edge to them. Controls felt heavy, engines sounded grumpy and refinement was more “tractor chic” than premium SUV. The Actyon Hybrid changes all that.
Around town, the hybrid system works nicely. It pulls away smoothly and quietly, with the electric motor masking low-speed hesitation well. The transition between electric and petrol power is mostly seamless too. You’re never fully aware of the mechanics doing their thing underneath, which is exactly how a hybrid should behave.
Performance is decent rather than exciting. The 176PS output gives it enough shove for motorway slip roads and overtaking dawdling caravans on the A66, but it’s not remotely sporty. Thankfully, KGM hasn’t tried to pretend otherwise by fitting fake exhaust noises or calling it something ridiculous like “GT-Line Dynamic S Turbo Black Edition”. It simply gets on with the job.
The ride quality is one of the biggest surprises. On 20” wheels you might expect things to become a bit crashy over Britain’s collection of potholes, trench warfare scars and random bits of broken tarmac, but the suspension does a commendable job of smoothing things out. It’s soft enough to remain comfortable without turning the body into a canoe during corners.
Long motorway journeys are where the Actyon really settles into its stride. Wind noise is well suppressed, the seats are supportive and the cabin remains impressively hushed at cruising speeds. It feels much more expensive than previous KGM efforts.
The steering is fairly light and numb, but that suits the car’s character. This isn’t an SUV for attacking B-roads like you’re auditioning for a touring car championship. It’s happier wafting along while carrying family, dogs and enough camping gear to survive a minor apocalypse.
Fuel economy is respectable too. Officially, KGM claims up to 46.4mpg combined, and in the real world you’ll probably see early-to-mid 40s if you drive sensibly, or 37mpg if you’re like me! Around town, the hybrid system helps massively, especially in stop-start traffic where the electric motor does much of the heavy lifting.
Push it hard on motorways and economy dips a bit, but that’s true of most hybrids hauling around a sizeable SUV body.
Importantly, it never feels underpowered. That electric torque gives it enough punch low down, and the hybrid gearbox avoids the horrible rubber-band sensation some CVT hybrids suffer from. There’s still a little engine drone if you absolutely flatten the throttle uphill, but under normal driving it remains calm and composed.
All Roads, All Surfaces… and the Occasional Beach
Now then. This is The Mud Life, so we can’t ignore the obvious question.
Can the Actyon Hybrid actually cope when the road disappears?
Well… yes and no.
Ground clearance is decent enough, and the suspension has enough give to deal with rough tracks, gravel lanes and muddy campsites without immediately crying for help. It also feels reassuringly solid underneath, with none of the brittle fragility some modern crossovers suffer from.
However, this is still a front-wheel-drive hybrid SUV running road-biased tyres. It isn’t a replacement for a proper AWD estate - like a Subaru.
Green laning enthusiasts will quickly discover its limitations once conditions become properly slippery. Deep mud, ruts and steep loose climbs aren’t its natural habitat. The traction control does its best, but physics is physics.
That said, for the sort of “off-road” driving most buyers actually do — farm tracks, snowy roads, wet fields at festivals, towing a trailer onto a (dry), campsite — the Actyon Hybrid performs perfectly adequately.
And there’s something to be said for a vehicle that knows what it is. Not every SUV needs locking diffs and snorkels. Sometimes people just want something comfortable that won’t embarrass itself when the weather turns grim in Lancashire.
Interior – Genuinely Nice Place to Be
Inside is where the biggest transformation has happened.
If you blindfolded someone and sat them in the Actyon Hybrid, they probably wouldn’t guess it was a KGM product. The cabin feels modern, spacious and properly well screwed together.
There are twin 12.3” screens dominating the dashboard, plenty of soft-touch materials and a clean, uncluttered layout that avoids looking like a rejected gaming laptop. The design is minimalist, which in a way is pleasant, and in another quite annoying.
Front seat comfort is excellent. There’s plenty of adjustment, decent cushioning and enough support for long-distance drives. Rear passengers fare well too, with loads of legroom and a surprisingly airy feel despite the sloping roofline.
Storage is plentiful throughout the cabin. Big door bins, useful cubbies and a sensible centre console mean there’s somewhere to dump all the usual life clutter — sunglasses, cables, receipts, dog leads, and that jar of pickled onions you forgot about.
Boot space is properly impressive too. KGM claims around 700 litres, and it certainly feels huge in the real world. This thing will swallow camping gear, recovery kit, muddy boots, cool boxes and a couple of Labradors without breaking sweat.
Loading height is sensible as well, which matters more than manufacturers realise. Nobody wants to deadlift a wet dog into orbit after a rainy woodland walk.
The rear seats fold reasonably flat too, making it easy to chuck in bikes, tents or assorted outdoor tat bought impulsively from an adventure show after three coffees and an overpriced burger.
Tech and Pet Peeves – The Good, The Bad and the Infuriating Bonging
Right. Time for the important stuff.
“Can you switch off the annoying safety systems without needing a computer science degree?” I hear you ask.
Sort of.
When it comes to driver monitoring, speed warning systems and various electronic nannies designed to stop you accidentally driving into a hedge while sneezing, some manufactures choose to make switching them off difficult.
Whilst Lane keeping assist on the Actyon is a simple button on the steering wheel, it takes 6-prods and swipes on the touchscreen to switch off the annoying speed warning system, which is excessive. That said, it was the same for the Ranger Raptor I had the week after.
I get it, some systems are genuinely useful. Others behave like an overcaffeinated driving instructor shouting at you because you dared touch a white line while avoiding a pothole the size of Bolton.
I can hear you all asking the same question. “Please tell us it has dials for the heater controls?”
‘fraid not, everything’s on the touchscreen. Want to adjust temperature or fan speed without taking your eyes off the road for half an hour while jabbing at fingerprints on a screen? Nope. KGM, you’ve lost valuable points here.
Whilst Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work well, and the 360-degree camera is excellent for parking, overall tech usability is refreshingly straightforward, though a bit sluggish on this particular press car.
Verdict – KGM Has Properly Grown Up
The 2026 KGM Actyon Hybrid feels like a company finally finding its confidence.
This isn’t a bargain-basement SUV pretending to be premium. It’s a genuinely competent, well-built and impressively refined family hybrid that happens to cost less than many obvious rivals.
No, it won’t replace a proper ladder-frame 4x4 if your weekends involve axle-deep mud and winch cables. But for most buyers wanting a practical 2WD SUV / estate that can handle family life, camping trips, terrible roads and the occasional field, it makes a huge amount of sense.
More importantly, it has character. The Actyon Hybrid doesn’t feel like another anonymous crossover churned out by committee. It’s different enough to stand out without trying too hard, and comfortable enough to live with every day.
And perhaps that’s the biggest compliment of all.
KGM used to make vehicles people bought with their heads. The Actyon Hybrid is one people might actually buy with a bit of heart too.
Which is impressive considering the badge used to summon memories of questionable styling decisions and interiors tougher than a Wetherspoons steak.
Now then KGM… how about giving it proper AWD, all-terrain tyres and some dials for the heater…
For more details, visit: KGM Motors UK
