Review: KGM Actyon si like Korean Range Rover. It looks great and is comfy

SsangYong Actyon used to be, at the beginning of the millennium, a model that tried to promote the SUV-coupé style, at a time when this concept was only just being born. The car became famous mainly for its rather unsuccessful design. A few years later, the Actyon is back on the scene. It is still an SUV-coupé, but otherwise everything has been completely transformed. SsangYong is now KGM, and the Actyon is finally a beautiful car. I spent a week testing what the new KGM Actyon has to offer.

Design: A bit like the Range Rover Velar

The original SsangYong Actyon was not exactly an attractive car. A strange front end, an even stranger rear – this applied both to the SUV-coupé and the derived Actyon Sports pick-up. It is therefore great news that the KGM Actyon does not follow the design of its namesake.

The style is completely different, minimalist, in the spirit of Range Rover, which contrasts with earlier SsangYong models inspired by Jeep. The rear, from a side view, somewhat evokes the Range Rover Velar. The back is also interesting with its split taillights. The front, in turn, uses motifs similar to the Torres EVX, due to the fact that both Torres and Actyon share the same technical platform. Low headlights with a light strip connecting them create an aggressive look. After all, the name Actyon is still a combination of Active and Young, which clearly shows in its shapes.

The minimalist approach to design is also evident in the fact that on the tested car, manufacturer badges were practically missing. They are only on the wheel hubs and the trunk lid. The traditional logo placement on the front is absent. Newer examples, however, already bear at least the KGM inscription on the rear, though Actyon will still raise questions about what brand it actually is.

It will certainly attract attention by being a solid piece of a car. Visually, it makes a strong impression; at 4.74 meters long, it is close to family SUVs like the Volkswagen Tayron. Its 2.68-meter wheelbase matches that of the Torres, further proof of their kinship.

Interior: Almost premium, though distinctly Asian

The shared base with Torres is also apparent inside. The interior adopts the concept from the electric Torres EVX, later carried over to combustion versions of the Torres as well. That means a pair of visually connected displays, as seen in Mercedes models, consolidating most of the controls.

The infotainment system, however, is not the fastest. Its functions load slowly, whether TomTom navigation or others. Some selected touch buttons are also rather small – such as the climate panel, which can be pulled out as a widget on the right-hand side of the screen. This makes controlling it while driving a bit more difficult, though one gets used to it.

Still, the system is clear and doesn’t lack important functions. The resolution of both displays is excellent, delivering high-quality images, and even the parking camera has solid clarity. A clever design of the dashboard creates a little shelf to rest your palm on while using the infotainment system. It’s also nice that KGM has finally simplified the deactivation of annoying driving assistants, such as the speed limit warning sound or lane-keeping. The former has a shortcut in the top bar of the multimedia system, while the latter can be switched off with a steering wheel button.

The cabin itself deserves praise. The materials used and their workmanship are at the highest, almost premium level. The transparent gear selector is a particularly interesting touch. KGM really nailed this. However, be prepared for a distinctly Asian style, whether it’s the light beige upholstery of the tested model with bronze-colored decorative details or the unusually shaped hexagonal steering wheel. On that wheel, I fail to understand the placement of the Auto Hold button – such a large control could surely have been used more effectively.

A big plus, just like in the Torres, is interior space. Even tall adults can sit comfortably in the back, with plenty of knee and headroom. The coupé-like roofline does not limit passengers in this case. Perhaps only the seat base could be mounted slightly higher.

The trunk also offers generous space, with a stated volume of 668 liters. In practice, it feels somewhat long rather than tall, with the height under the cover being average. On the other hand, this is due to the presence of a spare wheel under the floor, which is rare these days.

Engine: Could use more efficient horses

The engine line-up also confirms the shared base with the Torres. Like the classic SUV, the more stylish Actyon is available with a 1.5 GDI Turbo petrol engine producing 125 kW. However, in this case, the unit is available exclusively with a six-speed automatic from Aisin. Buyers can still choose between front- and all-wheel drive. In the future, an Actyon Hybrid will follow the Torres, and an electric Actyon EVX is also expected.

The engine, well-known from SsangYong models, behaves the same way in the Actyon. The 1.5 is refined, with good sound insulation, but for such a large car it feels somewhat underpowered. In the city, thanks to its quick throttle response, it is agile enough, but on the motorway it clearly needs to downshift to achieve desired dynamics. In short, it could use more horsepower under the hood, something the expected hybrid should address.

The automatic focuses mainly on comfort. Take-offs can be jerky, especially when trying to accelerate hard as the 1.5 struggles to move such a large vehicle. Once underway, however, the gearbox shifts smoothly.

A drawback remains its higher fuel consumption, an issue that also affected SsangYong cars. Staying under 10 l/100 km requires a very light foot, which is not exactly economical. On the motorway, fuel thirst often rises to 11 l/100 km in hilly sections. In the city, Actyon regularly consumed 10 l/100 km, while on country roads around 9. Even the 50-liter tank in practice provides only about 500 km of range, which isn’t much for such a large car.

Handling: In the spirit of tradition

SsangYong vehicles used to be tuned for comfort, something customers appreciated. And this remains true for KGM, which continues in the same tradition. Actyon prioritizes passenger comfort while driving. Even on 20” wheels, it handles the pitfalls of Czech roads with ease, only letting transverse bumps through. Overall, it’s surprising how well the Actyon’s suspension works.

Noise insulation is also decent; on the motorway you’ll hear only a mild hum, which is inevitable in a vehicle of this size. These qualities will suit the target clientele. It doesn’t really matter that in sharper bends the Actyon feels more cumbersome due to its size, or that the steering is not very communicative.

KGM Actyon: Specs

Engine	1.5 Turbo GDI 4×4
Year	2025
Power (kW)	120
Torque (Nm)	280
Transmission	6A
Top speed (km/h)	191
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s)	?
Consumption – cominated WLTP (l/100 km)	9,0
Range (km)	555
CO2 – combinated WLTP (g/km)	205
Kerb weight/payload (kg)	1670/500