So lengthy, Ssangyong. Hwan-yeong KGM!
The brand new auto model that replaces the ‘different Korean automaker’ is right here, with KGM launching its first mannequin – one which bears an outdated title from SsangYong’s, er, heyday?
Look, for those who’ve by no means seen an unique Ssangyong Actyon, picture search it after which come again to behold this new-generation mannequin… fortunately, there’s not even a touch of a passing resemblance.
I imply, it’s type of unusual that the brand new Actyon doesn’t have a coupe-style profile – the unique one was a pioneer of the SUV-coupe style, even beating the BMW X6 to market.
However that is KGM’s third mid-size SUV providing, sitting above the Korando and Torres, and it’s arguably the best-looking one.
And it’s additionally the largest, and the most costly. So is it actually definitely worth the cash that’s being requested for a front-wheel drive mid-size petrol SUV?
Learn on for our verdict.
How a lot does the KGM Actyon price?
The KGM Actyon is expensive.
| Mannequin | Drive-away pricing |
|---|---|
| 2025 KGM Actyon K50 | $47,000 |
| 2025 KGM Actyon K60 | $50,000 |
At a time when Chinese language manufacturers are resetting the worth expectations of Australians, and Korean and Japanese manufacturers are nervously trying over their shoulders, KGM launches out there with a non-hybrid, non-AWD, petrol-powered, front-wheel drive mannequin with a near-$50,000 price ticket that’s properly above what some mainstream manufacturers are asking for his or her least expensive mid-size SUVs.
Now, it needs to be stated that this SUV has a robust customary tools record, however sheesh. That could be a massive worth for a automobile that’s unknown, from a brand new model title, in essentially the most fiercely fought section of the market.
Should you’re curious to see how the KGM Acyton compares to its rivals, try our comparison tool
What’s the KGM Actyon like on the within?
The cabin design and therapy is similar to the smaller Torres SUV, and in that regard it’s additionally fairly just like a number of different SUVs within the section.
By that I imply you’ve received a pair of 12.3-inch screens – one for infotainment, one for driver data – and there’s a mixture of supplies starting from wood-look trim to ambient LED strip lights and a few intriguing ending on the dashboard and door playing cards which is like wetsuit materials.
However the quirkiest a part of the cabin is the steering wheel design, as a result of it’s not a wheel in any respect. It’s a hexagon, and whereas this has been a trait in SsangYong merchandise of years passed by, this one appears to be extra misplaced on this cabin, and it additionally makes the automobile tougher to maneuver round (as mentioned within the driving part beneath).
Fortunately although, it does have an entire host of controls that fall simply at hand on the tiller, together with a steering wheel heating button, adaptive cruise management administration, media and quantity controls, and a driver data toggle setup. Disgrace the buttons are piano black, and present finger prints.
The media display is a little bit fiddly till you get the hold of learn how to use it. There are not any bodily dials or buttons – that’s proper, no quantity or tuning twirlers, and nothing to regulate the air-conditioning with in any way. All of that’s performed on-screen.
However I discovered that after only a day or so, I understood the menu structure and was capable of regulate temp and fan, seat heating and cooling, and even rear seat heating, too.
What I nonetheless battle to return to phrases with is that the electrical boot opening button is on the identical ‘web page’ because the controls for air-con, and positioned in all probability precisely the place the recirc button must be! Don’t mistake these two whereas sitting in visitors!
There’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, however annoyingly they aren’t wi-fi – you continue to must plug in with a USB-C cable.
Storage within the cabin is nice, with a pair of cupholders up entrance, a coated centre console bin with a wierd materials end on it (not nice for these with delicate elbows), and there are massive bottle holders within the entrance doorways, in addition to a storage tray on the ground between the entrance seats.
The seats are one other consideration – they’re Nappa leather-trimmed with a diamond-quilted red-stitched end, and whereas they’re supportive, they may additionally fall into the uncomfortable column for some bums.
The again seat is a little more squishy feeling, and with the driving force’s seat set to my place, (at 182cm/6’0”) I had inches of room forward of my legs and an excellent quantity of foot wiggle house as properly. Headroom is cheap for somebody my measurement, however taller-torsoed occupants may discover it a tad tight.
After all there are ISOFIX factors and three top-tether anchors for baby seats, and the seatbacks are product of a kid-kickable arduous plastic. There are machine and map pockets on each seatbacks, and in any other case these within the rear are handled to bottle holders within the doorways and a flip-down armrest with cupholders.
Directional air-vents preserve issues ethereal within the again, and there are heated seat buttons on each doorways. The panoramic glass sunroof – which has a pleasant thick shade and glass that may really open – makes it really feel fairly breezy within the again, too.
The boot house is beneficiant, with a said 688 litres of cargo capability with the rear seats up, and that expands to 1440L with all seats folded down.
Unusually, there are recesses within the boot for a cargo cowl, however none is fitted. However there are some neat touches, just like the set off change contained in the boot for the tailgate, that means it’ll be simpler for shorties to shut the boot lid. And there may be lighting, and a 12V port, plus extra storage packing containers both facet of the ground.
A pleasant plus is the inclusion of a space-saver spare wheel.
| Dimensions | KGM Actyon |
|---|---|
| Size | 4740mm |
| Width | 1910mm |
| Top | 1680mm |
| Wheelbase | 2680mm |
| Cargo capability | 688-1568L |
Should you’re curious to see how the KGM Acyton compares to its rivals, try our comparison tool
What’s underneath the bonnet?
That is what may show to be a sticking level for discerning, future-focused consumers. The powertrain provided in Australia is a bit too primary at a time when there’s seemingly a warfare breaking out between value-focused manufacturers like BYD, Chery, MG and GWM to supply electrification at unbeatable costs.
| Specs | KGM Actyon |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L 4cyl turbo-petrol |
| Energy | 125kW |
| Torque | 280Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed auto |
| Drive sort | Entrance-wheel drive |
| 0-100km/h time(claimed) | 10.8 seconds |
| Gasoline economic system (claimed) | 7.6L/100km |
| Gasoline tank capability | 50L |
| Gasoline requirement | 95-octane premium unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 174g/km |
| Emissions customary | Euro 6 |
| Braked towing capability | 1500kg |
So, is a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with an Aisin automated transmission and front-wheel drive actually a ok proposition in 2025 and past?
Should you’re curious to see how the KGM Acyton compares to its rivals, try our comparison tool
How does the KGM Actyon drive?
Don’t go anticipating a game-changing drive expertise on this SUV. It isn’t designed to be that type of automobile.
The engine is perky sufficient, and affords clean response when you’re at pace, however there’s a contact of lag to take care of from a standstill; a part of that’s turbo lag, half is throttle response, half is the engine idle cease/begin system, and a good whack can be the automated gearbox.
The six-speed auto is ample, however nothing higher. In actual fact, it could really feel a bit insufficient at instances, as I discovered on my check, with the odd ‘why did it do this?’ fashion gear shift… There aren’t Mazda CX-60 ranges of unpredictability, although, and the shifts are clean for essentially the most half.
Actually, the powertrain could be completely superb for almost all of consumers nearly all of the time. It simply doesn’t do something significantly particular, nor significantly properly.
Annoyingly, the gear selector motion may make you’re feeling like a noob at instances, as a result of you really want to be sure to shift between the gears. Like, maintain the shifter for not less than a second to make sure it chooses R or D, in any other case chances are you’ll find yourself in N, revving the engine and pondering you’re about to drag a candy parking transfer…
In the meantime, the steering wheel makes its odd form identified each time you think about a nook or peruse a parking spot. It’s a bizarre form, and actually makes it a tougher automobile to stay with since you’re at all times discovering the ‘edges’ of the hexagonal rim. Like, you simply can’t let it naturally slide by your grip, ever.
And whereas the suspension isn’t the cushiest when it comes to the trip consolation, it’s principally properly resolved, regardless of providing the occasional jolt by the cabin for those who hit a sharp-edged bump. That’s partly as a result of low-profile Michelin rubber on 20-inch wheels, but in addition there’s a stiffness to the springs that makes it really feel a bit extra assertive than different SUVs.
There’s a little bit of highway noise intrusion and engine noise to take care of at instances, however it’s typically cruisy sufficient for freeway commuting. And whereas there’s a lane-keeping help operate that activates every time you restart the automobile, there’s a easy ‘change off’ process for those who don’t prefer it; simply push down the button on the steering wheel.
Lovably, there isn’t a irritating pace restrict warning/overspeed beeping tech, and neither is there a driver monitoring digicam. That is likely to be off-putting for some however, actually, it’s really an enormous a part of the explanation this automobile feels a contact extra habitable than it in any other case would.
Should you’re curious to see how the KGM Acyton compares to its rivals, try our comparison tool
What do you get?
As we stated, there’s a robust customary package record. However that’s the norm as of late from challenger manufacturers. Even so, right here’s a rundown of the usual tools within the Actyon lineup.
2025 KGM Actyon K50 tools highlights:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Automated high-beam
- Fingers-free energy tailgate
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
- Rear privateness glass
- Electrical park brake with auto maintain
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Heated steering wheel
- Customisable favorite button
- Quilted Nappa leather-based upholstery
- Heated and ventilated entrance seats
- 8-way power-adjustable entrance seats with energy driver’s lumbar
- Heated outboard rear seats
- Reclining rear seats (as much as 32.5°)
- 32-colour ambient lighting
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Carbon-fibre and woodgrain trim
- 2 x rear USB retailers
The K60 provides:
- Panoramic sunroof
- Rear door solar blinds
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- Encompass-view digicam system
Should you’re curious to see how the KGM Acyton compares to its rivals, try our comparison tool
Is the KGM Actyon protected?
The KGM Actyon has but to be examined by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. If it had been examined, underneath the present standards, it isn’t a surefire factor to get 5 stars attributable to missing a number of the superior expertise required to appease the Gods of Security Scores.
Nonetheless, the actual fact it’s lacking some objects really makes it a nicer – and, arguably, safer! – factor to drive.
There isn’t any driver consideration monitoring system to get it flawed and inform you you’re distracted if you’re not, and neither is there a pace signal recognition and warning system, that means there’s no bing-bong distractions, and that’ll make your each day commute much less of a chore.
Customary security tools consists of:
- Adaptive cruise management
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane-keep help
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Reversing digicam
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Tyre stress monitoring
K60 provides:
There are eight airbags fitted to the Actyon – twin entrance, driver’s knee, entrance centre, entrance side-thorax, and window-curtain protection for each rows of outboard seats.
Should you’re curious to see how the KGM Acyton compares to its rivals, try our comparison tool
How a lot does the KGM Actyon price to run?
KGM is continuous on with the prevailing SsangYong providing in relation to aftersales provisions… properly, virtually. There’s nonetheless a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, which is aggressive for the category – and simply because it was with SsangYong, the identical guarantee covers non-public and business consumers.
Discover out extra
Discover out extra in regards to the automobile
| Servicing and Guarantee | KGM Actyon |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 7 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years or 105,000km |
| Common annual service price | $382 |
| Whole capped-price service price | $2674 |
There’s additionally a seven-year/105,000km capped worth servicing program, and the intervals are good at 12 months/15,000km. The common service price over the interval is aggressive, too, at $382 per go to.
KGM has dialled again the roadside help program a smidge – consumers now get 5 years of roadside help included for gratis, whereas SsangYong provided seven years.
Should you’re curious to see how the KGM Acyton compares to its rivals, try our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Tackle the KGM Actyon
This seems like a automobile that will have been a standout choice if it had launched two or three years in the past.
And whereas there may be loads of benefit right here, there may be additionally an unbelievable quantity of competitors within the mid-size SUV section, with many rivals providing extra high-tech powertrains and higher drivetrain selections for related or much less cash.
There isn’t any denying there’s a heap of nice package as customary right here, and for some individuals the associated fee will likely be justifiable. However in context of the present market, it feels prefer it’s about $10,000 over the chances for a front-drive petrol mid-size SUV.
All for shopping for a KGM Actyon? Let CarExpert discover you one of the best deal here
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