Make and model: KGM Musso Saracen+
Description: Pick-up truck with a diesel engine and a manual or automatic transmission
Price as tested: £43,944 (plus options)

KGM says: “The Musso is well established in the highly competitive pick-up segment, and is recognised as a great value, hardworking truck.”
We say: It’s ready to tow and is hardworking, but its ride quality is poor and its gearbox is slow.

SsangYong’s KGM rebranding has introduced fashionably designed vehicles, including the Musso. The entry-level Musso Revel is priced from £30,965 (excl VAT), while the range-topping Saracen+, like the one tested here, costs £35,995 (excl VAT).

Rivals include the Isuzu D-Max, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Hilux.

Who is this pick-up aimed at?

The Musso is for those who want something other than the usual Ford Ranger. The Musso offers decent bang for the buck, and most versions have a 3.5-tonne towing capacity. Opt for the Saracen+, and the Musso will measure 5.4m from front to back, while the lower trims are slightly shorter at 5.1m.

It’s also ideal for those who often utilise a pick-up’s bed as the Musso will carry up to 1,024kg in the back. Likewise, all versions tow up to 3.5 tonnes.

Who won’t like it?

If you’re used to plusher pick-ups from the likes of Ford, then you will soon notice flaws in the Musso’s build quality, more so with its plastics. Still, the Musso isn’t terrible and feels quite luxurious inside, especially in higher trims.

Similarly, if you value ride comfort, this isn’t the pick-up for you; a fair bit of vibration and noise makes its way into the cabin, even at lower speeds. And the gearbox is fairly dim-witted at times, finding itself in the wrong gear at the wrong time.

What do you get for your money?

The entry-level Revel gets front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlamps, daytime running lights, side steps, roof rails, rain-sensing wipers, power folding mirrors, keyless start, a six-speaker audio system, heated front seats, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, and TomTom sat-nav. In all, a generous standard equipment list.

Spending an extra £2,800 on the Saracen adds dual-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and electronic cruise control. Opting for the Saracen+ for an additional £1,230 adds a longer load bed, a new styling pack, and heated rear seats.

All cars get the same 2.2-litre diesel engine, available with automatic or manual gearboxes, and come with a five-year/100,000-mile warranty.

We like: Generous standard equipment levels, decent warranty, and longer bed option
We don’t like: questionable build quality and noisy cabin

What’s the KGM Musso like inside?

Regardless of what trim you opt for, you will still get some physical buttons on the dashboard and a 12-inch touchscreen, although it’s not the quickest, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. At Saracen level, you will find Nappa leather seating all around.

The air vents have been repositioned and are now arranged in a smart horizontal line across the lower part of the cabin, which frees up more space on the dash.

We like: Physical buttons and Nappa leather
We don’t like: the touchscreen can be laggy

What’s under the bonnet?

All trims get a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel, which develops 200 bhp at 3,800rpm and 441Nm at 1,600rpm.

What’s the KGM Musso like to drive?

The KGM Musso sits on a ladder chassis and boasts a switchable four-wheel-drive system (for use only on slippery surfaces, not for everyday driving). It also has a low-range gearbox for tougher terrain, but lacks a differential lock, and it’s not available in the options list, either.

If you’re venturing onto the rough stuff, we’d recommend looking at high-quality off-road tyres as the standard Maxis ones aren’t particularly grippy. On colder Scottish roads, I often used the four-wheel-drive setting because the rear wheels kept slipping.

Still, its turning circle is tighter than that found on an Isuzu D-Max, making it easier to park and more pleasant in busier traffic.

Putting the foot down when rolling sees its gearbox struggle to select the correct gear; the same happens when climbing steeper hills. Despite its 200hp figure, the Musso is not quite as quick as an equivalent Ranger.

We like: good turning circle and switchable four-wheel drive system
We don’t like: no diff-lock option and sluggish gearbox

Verdict

The KGM Musso is an attractive option for those after something that can get the job done without costing a fortune. Its torquey diesel engine can tow up to 3.5 tonnes, and it’s fairly decent off-road thanks to its selectable four-wheel drive system.

However, the Musso is a budget option when compared to its rivals and therefore lacks proper tyres, a decent infotainment system, and the option for a locking differential. Opting for the Saracen+ makes more sense, too, as this includes a larger load bed versus the other trims.

It’s fairly noisy at speed, but its cabin is well arranged and there are physical buttons. KGM also offers a wind-cancelling rubber strip to hush vehicles equipped with roof bars. Hop onto the KGM online configurator, and you will find a selection of bed covers, roll-over bars, hard tops, and roof bars.

Similar vehicles

Ford Ranger | GWM Poer300 | Isuzu D-Max | Maxus T60 Max | Toyota Hilux | Volkswagen Amarok

Key Specifications