KGM

Torres/Torres EVX

The Torres is a five-door SUV that is available with a choice of petrol, hybrid or electric powertrains. It’s the first all-new vehicle to be launched by KGM (formerly SsangYong) and is packed with kit as standard, making it excellent value for money.

Test Drive

KGM Torres Hybrid – First Drive (2026)

The KGM Torres is a rugged, no-nonsense five-door SUV that was launched here in the UK with the choice of petrol or fully electrified powertrains.

It was viewed as quite a statement car as it was the first to feature KGM badging following the re-branding of the more established SsangYong name.

And now the Torres line-up is growing stronger with the launch of a hybrid model featuring a punchy 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor and dedicated hybrid transmission. With 177hp and 300Nm of torque, the Torres Hybrid can reach 62mph from a standing start in 9.0 seconds, tops out at 112mph and, according to WLTP testing, can deliver a combined 46.1mpg with carbon emissions of 139g/km.

While other Torres models are available in two trims called K30 and K40, the hybrid variant is just sold in high-end K40 guise with an asking price of £35,995.

Not bargain-basement cheap then, but you do get a whole lot of car for the outlay and any optional extras are few and far between, so there won’t be any nasty add-on costs.

Design-wise, the Torres Hybrid is a stylish SUV that boasts a strong road presence. There is a sculpted bonnet, a distinctive front grille, wheel-arch cladding, skid plates, privacy glass, neat lighting clusters, a high-mounted brake light and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Moving inside, the interior is clutter-free and generously equipped with all the mod cons imaginable. The main focal point is a pair of 12.3-inch infotainment screens. The right screen clearly displays all the vital driving data such as speed, drive mode and fuel levels, while the left hand screen is the access point to the on-board tech, which is plentiful.

Expect to find a TomTom navigation system, Bluetooth, rearview camera, along with full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Searching for some of the car’s features is a little long-winded though and simple tasks such as changing drive modes is over-complicated with drag down menus.

But gripe over, comfort levels impress with powered front seats, upholstered in smart black leather upholstery with eye-catching copper contrast stitching. These can be heated or ventilated, while the steering wheel and outer rear seats can also be warmed against the winter chill. There is a clever Rear Seats Sleep function that mutes the rear speakers and this is ideal if a child is catching an afternoon nap in the back.

When it comes to performance, the front-wheel drive Torres Hybrid is a competent motorway cruiser and will sit effortless at 70mph eating away at the miles. It’s also well balanced on country lanes and A roads with impressive grip and little sign of body sway provided tighter bends are not attacked too eagerly. The elevated seating offers a good view across the hedgerows and this impressive driver visibility is also appreciated in busier towns and cities with cars, cyclists and pedestrians darting out from all angles.

Once you find the drive modes via a drop-down touchscreen menu, it’s easy to flick through them with a choice of Eco, Comfort and Sport to select from, and these change the dynamics of the car accordingly.

Refinement levels are impressive with the suspension set-up smoothing out most bumps and dips along the way. And the vehicle is well-insulated too, although you will notice some wind and engine noise creeping into the cabin at higher speeds.

My only other complaint was the fuel efficiency. No matter how carefully I drove the Torres Hybrid, the closest I got to the official 46.1mpg figure was around the 37mpg mark.

However, the vehicle does cover practicality bases well with a spacious cabin that will easily accommodate four adults, five at a push. The rear seats can be reclined up to 32.5 degrees for added comfort, and the boot is well-sized with a capacity of 703 litres, increasing to 1,662 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats lowered.

Elsewhere, there are plenty of handy storage areas throughout the cabin, such as an illuminated glovebox, a large area beneath the centre console, door bins that can hold a 1.5-litre bottle, seat back pockets with mobile phone sections, front and rear cup holders, some trays and four USB-C ports to stay connected on the move.

And, for added peace of mind, the Torres Hybrid is sold with an excellent warranty package covering five years or 100,000 miles, plus 12 months European breakdown cover.

All in all, the hybrid certainly strengthens the Torres line-up, bridging the gap between electric and petrol. It has plenty of kerb appeal, is rugged without being overly-aggressive and features plenty of kit. We would like some of the touchscreen functions to be simplified and see slightly improved efficiency, but this car is still great value for money.

Test Drive

KGM Torres EVX – First Drive (2024)

The five-door Torres marks the first fully-fledged model from KGM, the company formerly known as SsangYong.

Available in both petrol and all-electric versions, the stylish SUV is making a bold entrance into the market, setting its sights on high-end competitors. With the electric Torres EVX starting just shy of £40k, it’s clear that KGM is no longer the budget brand it once was. Instead, the company is now offering a fully loaded vehicle, packed with premium features as standard, making it a compelling choice.

True to SsangYong’s tradition, KGM has packed its vehicles with top-tier features as standard, ensuring there are no unpleasant surprises at the checkout. The Torres EVX is available in two trims, K30 and K40, both powered by a 73.4kWh battery sourced from leading battery manufacturer BYD. With a combined driving range of 287 miles per charge (up to 394 miles in urban areas, where regenerative braking is more effective), the Torres EVX is geared for long-distance travel.

Prices for the petrol version start at £31,995 for the base K30, rising to £36,995 for the all-wheel-drive K40. The Torres EVX starts at £39,995 for the K30 and £41,995 for the K40, the latter being the model we tested.

The vehicle has a strong road presence featuring the company’s new ‘Powered by Toughness’ design philosophy, which is immediately evident from its bold stance.

The ‘X’ in EVX stands for “extreme,” and the vehicle’s looks certainly fit the bill thanks to a futuristic front-end design with sweeping light clusters, dot-shaped daytime running lights, blacked-out rear windows, plus black wheel arches and roof rails. The 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels perfectly complete the look.

Inside, the design is minimalist yet feature-rich. A pair of 12.3-inch screens seamlessly merge into a single display that serves as the car’s central control hub. The left screen offers access to functions such as navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker sound system, climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, plus safety features. The right screen provides key driving information like speed, battery levels, along with driving range.

Though the infotainment system is intuitive, some of the controls are a bit fiddly or poorly positioned making them hard to reach. But once you’ve mastered the layout, the cabin is a comfortable place to be, with premium leather seats that can be heated and ventilated, along with a heated steering wheel for added comfort.

So, the all-new Torres looks the part, but how does it fare when put through its paces? The answer is rather well.

With 207PS and 339Nm of torque, it has a 0-62mph sprint time of 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 109mph. Despite weighing just shy of two tonnes, the front-wheel drive Torres EVX feels nimble and balanced on the road. On winding country lanes, it handles with surprising agility, and the grip is solid, with minimal body roll.

On faster motorways, the ride remains stable, although wind noise becomes noticeable at higher speeds and, when cruising at 70mph, you’ll also notice a quicker drop in range, but this is typical for electric vehicles.

The single-speed transmission ensures smooth, responsive acceleration, while the regenerative braking (adjustable via paddles on the steering wheel) helps the vehicle recoup energy when slowing down.

Drive modes called Eco, Comfort and Sport are accessed via the touchscreen and these alter the throttle response, suspension, along with the steering feel. Refinement is a strong area too, with an effective suspension system that smooths out bumps, and the cabin remains quiet thanks to excellent sound insulation.

With an elevated driving position, the Torres EVX offers great all-round visibility. And, for added fun, when starting or powering down, it plays a short sound sequence that almost resembles the theme to a soap opera!

The vehicle also covers practicality bases well with plenty of room for passengers and their luggage. The cabin can comfortably accommodate five adults, with ample legroom both in the front and rear. The rear seats feature Isofix points for child seats, and rear window blinds help keep passengers comfortable during longer trips. A handy ‘Rear Seats Sleepers’ button mutes the back speakers for an even quieter experience.

The boot, accessed via a wide-opening powered tailgate, offers 703 litres of space, which can be expanded to 1,662 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped down. There’s also an underfloor compartment for additional storage and side bins to keep smaller items secure.

Other useful storage compartments include a large illuminated glovebox, a huge central cubby beneath the front armrest, door bins that can hold 1.5-litre drinks bottles, front and rear cup holders, a wireless charging pad, coat or backpack hooks and plenty of USB-C ports to keep devices powered.

And with escapes to the country in mind, the Torres EVX can tow a caravan or braked trailer weighing up to 1.5 tonnes.

When it comes to charging, the 73.4kWh battery can be boosted from 20 to 80 per cent in just 37 minutes using a 100kW rapid charger, or in approximately nine hours via an 11kW home wallbox.

The Torres comes with an attractive warranty package stretching seven-years or 90,000 miles, while the battery has 10-year or 620,000-mile cover (roughly one million km).

All in all, the KGM Torres EVX is an impressive debut for the newly rebranded company. It’s bold, well-equipped, and showcases the brand’s commitment to its ‘Powered by Toughness’ philosophy. Though it faces stiff competition from established names in the industry, its fresh design, spacious cabin, and solid performance certainly make it a worth exploring further.