2025 KGM SsangYong Torres Ultimate Review

The 2025 KGM SsangYong Torres aims to carve a niche in the mid-size SUV market with its distinctive design, competitive pricing, and practical features. As the flagship SUV for KGM in Australia, it enters a crowded segment with a clear mission: to appeal to buyers seeking something different.

While its interesting looks and advanced safety features make it a compelling choice at this price point, how does it stack up against rivals that have long dominated the segment? Does the Torres manage to balance style with substance effectively?

In this review, we’ll explore the Torres’ design, interior practicality, driving dynamics, and value proposition, offering insights to help potential buyers decide if it meets their needs.

How much does the KGM SsangYong Torres cost?

The Torres range offers three trims: the ELX, Adventure, and Ultimate. Starting from $38,000 drive-away for the ELX, the range-topping Ultimate is priced at $47,000. There is an additional ABN offer that will take $800 off the sticker price.

2025 KGM SsangYong Torres Pricing:

• ELX: $38,000 drive-away
• Adventure: $43,000 drive-away
• Ultimate: $47,000 drive-away

Note: Prices exclude on-road costs.

What’s the exterior like of the KGM SsangYong Torres?

The 2025 KGM SsangYong Torres’ exterior showcases a blend of distinctive elements and practical considerations. At the front, the six-slot grille is flanked by angular LED daytime running lights, giving quite an aggressive look. The red accent on the grille adds a subtle hint of rugged styling, which is slightly misleading as the Torres is much better suited for urban use than off-road adventures. This is further exemplified by the plastic front bumper which sits below the matte black grille.

From the side, the Torres features sharp lines and a sloping roofline that provide a very unique silhouette. The base trims come with 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, while the Ultimate trim upgrades to larger 20-inch alloys. The inclusion of roof rails and privacy glass is good, though the triangular rise and taper of the roof design might divide opinions. You also get a very "R8-esque" blade that further adds to the bizarre appeal of the Torres.

The rear design also takes a less than conventional approach. The faux-spare-wheel cover is a unique stylistic touch but lacks functionality, and the use of halogen bulbs in the rear light cluster is a bit of a miss. You also get a grab handle that would suggest a "barn-door" style boot opening, however the power tailgate opens the conventional way. While the exterior design might polarise opinions, it undeniably makes a statement in the crowded mid-size SUV market.

What’s the interior like of the KGM SsangYong Torres?

Inside, the 2025 KGM SsangYong Torres showcases a mix of modern technology and functional design, though it comes with notable compromises. The dual 12.3-inch screens for the infotainment and driver display are responsive and provide clear visuals, but the driver display’s brightness could be improved for better visibility during daylight. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but the absence of a wireless charging pad is disappointing, especially in a market where it has become a standard feature.

Material quality varies significantly throughout the cabin. While there are soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard and armrests, harder plastics dominate high-contact areas, detracting from the premium feel. Storage options are somewhat innovative but often impractical, as shallow compartments can lead to items sliding around during drives. The centre console includes a phone slot that lacks depth, so instead of being held in place - your phone simply slides inside the central storage compartment.

The seating provides a decent level of comfort, with fabric upholstery on the base ELX trim and leather-wrapped, heated seats on the Ultimate trim. Power adjustment and lumbar support are also available on higher trims.

Ergonomics present a mixed experience. The oversized steering wheel feels disproportionate to the rest of the cabin and can make maneouvering more cumbersome than necessary. Additionally, the shift-by-wire transmission system has an unusual quirk where it requires a double press for gear changes, which interrupts smooth operation during tasks like three-point turns. Despite these issues, the layout of major controls is generally intuitive, and the cabin design facilitates easy access to most features.

Overall, the Torres’ interior attempts to balance modern features with functionality but falls short of delivering a cohesive, high-quality experience, like you would get in something like a Kia Sportage, which judging by the interior layout, the Torres clearly took some notes from.

What about back seats?

Rear passengers benefit from ample headroom thanks to the triangular roofline design. There is also boatloads of leg room and toe room, so larger adults should comfortably fit in the back of the KGM Ssangyong Torres. The hard plastics in the rear door panels do detract from the premium feel, and unfortunately contribute to the less-than-ideal road noise and vibrations inside the cabin.

Amenities include two USB-C fast charger ports and rear air vents, and interestingly, you also get heated outboard seats on the Ultimate trim.

What’s boot space like in the KGM SsangYong Torres?

Boot space is competitive, with a claimed 703 litres when measured to the roof, but anyone with a good eye for volume would be skeptical of that figure. Folding the rear seats expands this to over 1,500 litres, making it quite versatile for transporting larger items. Under the floor you get a very bright space-saver spare wheel that brings a new meaning to "wheel of shame".

What’s under the bonnet of the 2025 KGM SsangYong Torres?

The Torres is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, delivering 120kW and 280Nm through a 6-speed automatic transmission. The ELX and Adventure trims are front-wheel drive, while the Ultimate gains an all-wheel drive system that is capable of sending up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels. Fuel efficiency is rated at 7.4L/100km for the front wheel drive variants, while the all-wheel drive Ultimate has claimed consumption of 7.9L/100km, which is on par for the segment.

How does the KGM SsangYong Torres drive?

The driving experience of the 2025 KGM SsangYong Torres is a combination of strengths and notable weaknesses. The 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine provides a decent amount of torque, adequate for urban commuting and highway cruising. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is achieved in 10.36 seconds, making it functional but far from sporty. The six-speed automatic transmission is smooth in operation, though not particularly quick to respond during spirited driving.

Steering is a key area of concern. It feels overly heavy, particularly at low speeds, which can make maneouvers like parking or tight turns more cumbersome. At higher speeds, the steering retains an artificially weighted feeling, lacking the precise feedback needed for confident handling. While the suspension strikes a decent balance between firmness and comfort, road imperfections are still noticeable, especially over larger bumps. However, the overall ride quality is acceptable for the segment.

The Ultimate trim’s all-wheel-drive system performs well, providing extra grip in slippery conditions. It’s a front-biased system that sends up to 50% of torque to the rear when needed. We saw fuel efficiency figures around 8L/100km, very close to the claimed consumption in combined conditions, with highway driving yielding slightly better figures.

The advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, are a mixed bag. The adaptive cruise control often struggles with calibration, sometimes misjudging vehicles in adjacent lanes or failing to maintain consistent speeds. Lane-keeping assist works well enough, keeping the vehicle centred on straight roads, but sharper curves can challenge the system. The lack of refinement in these systems can detract from long-distance driving comfort.

Overall, the Torres delivers an adequate driving experience for everyday use but falls short of delivering the refined dynamics or driver engagement offered by some competitors in the mid-size SUV market, namely the Kia Sportage. For buyers prioritising practicality and safety, the Torres certainly remains a viable choice.

What do you get with the KGM SsangYong Torres?

2025 KGM SsangYong Torres Features by Grade:

ELX:

• 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
• Privacy glass
• LED headlights
• Automatic high-beam
• Electric park brake with auto hold
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Dual-zone climate control
• Reclining rear seats

Adventure:

• Tyre pressure monitoring
• LED front fog lights
• Hands-free power tailgate
• Leatherette upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel

Ultimate:

• All-wheel drive
• Power sunroof
• 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels
• Leather upholstery
• 8-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar
• 8-way power passenger seat
• Integrated headrest hangers for front seats
• Ventilated front seats
• Heated outboard rear seats

Is the KGM SsangYong Torres safe?

The 2025 KGM SsangYong Torres is yet be tested by ANCAP. Below is a breakdown of the safety equipment by model grade:

Standard (all trims):

• 8 airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Lane-keep assist
• Leading vehicle departure alert
• Reversing camera
• Front and rear parking sensors

Adventure trim adds:

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert

Ultimate trim adds:

• Surround-view camera
• Adaptive cruise control

How much does it cost to run the KGM SsangYong Torres?

With a combined fuel consumption of 7.4-7.9L/100km, the Torres is relatively efficient for its class. Maintenance costs include the following scheduled servicing intervals:

• 15,000km / 12 months: $338.00
• 30,000km / 24 months: $442.00
• 45,000km / 36 months: $338.00
• 60,000km / 48 months: $442.00
• 75,000km / 60 months: $338.00
• 90,000km / 72 months: $442.00
• 105,000km / 84 months: $338.00

The total cost of servicing over seven years amounts to $2,678.00, which is competitive for this segment. Additionally, KGM’s seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty provides added peace of mind.

Final thoughts on the KGM SsangYong Torres

The 2025 KGM SsangYong Torres makes a bold statement in the mid-size SUV market, combining distinctive styling with a competitive pricing structure. Its sharp exterior design and range of features are tailored to appeal to buyers seeking something different in a saturated SUV market.

One of the Torres’ strongest attributes is its practicality. With a claimed boot space of 703 litres and a versatile interior, it caters well to family needs. The inclusion of standard safety features, such as eight airbags and autonomous emergency braking will appeal to families. For those opting for the Adventure or Ultimate trims, additional features like blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera enhance the overall safety package and make the car a lot easier to live with, but these are basic features that should be included as standard.

However, the Torres is not without its shortcomings. The heavy steering detracts from driving ease, especially in urban settings, and the adaptive cruise control system lacks the refinement seen in many competitors now. Interior ergonomics also leave room for improvement, with a large steering wheel and shallow storage spaces that compromise daily usability.

In the context of the competitive mid-size SUV segment, the Torres offers a fresh alternative to established rivals. While it may not match the polish of class leaders like the Kia Sportage or Toyota RAV4, it provides good value for those willing to embrace its quirks. For buyers prioritising unique styling and practicality over ultimate refinement, the KGM SsangYong Torres presents an interesting option, though not one that I would go out of my way to recommend.