Korea's third car brand – KGM, formerly SsangYong – is due to launch its first hybrid models in Australia, in a two-prong challenge to the Toyota RAV4.
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Hybrid power is coming to KGM showrooms – the South Korean brand formerly known as KGM SsangYong, and earlier, just SsangYong – in two new SUVs next year.
First to launch will be a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol hybrid version of the Torres, a mid-size family SUV, which claims to consume less fuel than an equivalent Toyota RAV4 Hybrid in its home market.
It is due to be followed by the just-revealed Actyon Hybrid, a lengthened, sleeker family SUV recently launched in Australia in petrol-only guise.
A KGM Australia spokesperson told Drive a "conservative estimate" for the Torres Hybrid's launch is the first half of next year – or "possibly sooner" – while the Actyon could follow "six months later".
Precise arrival dates will be confirmed closer to launch, as will prices, but the hybrids are expected to cost more than the petrol-only Torres ($36,000 to $43,000 drive-away) and Actyon ($47,000 to $50,000 drive-away).
In South Korea, the top-of-the-range Torres Hybrid costs 5.45 million won, or 16.7 per cent more than an equivalent non-hybrid – suggesting a price premium for petrol-electric tech of about $6000 in Australia.
Waiting in the wings alongside the hybrids is the electric Torres EVX, which was originally scheduled for late 2024, but has since been pushed back indefinitely.
The KGM spokesperson said "we have a few cars currently being assessed for readiness", and that the brand will green-light the model "at some stage," but a date is yet to be locked in.
Powering the hybrid KGM SUVs is a 110kW/221Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, a 130kW/300Nm electric drive motor, a second electric motor for energy recuperation, and a 1.84kWh battery pack.
The battery is said to use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry sourced from BYD.
KGM claims fuel consumption of 6.4 to 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in mixed driving, depending on the alloy wheel size optioned, in stringent South Korean lab testing.
It compares to 8.9 to 9.0L/100km for a petrol Torres front-wheel drive, and 7.1L/100km for a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, under the same protocols. An equivalent RAV4 quotes 4.7L/100km in Australia.
A fuel use figure of 6.7L/100km has been confirmed for the Actyon Hybrid, compared to 9.1L/100km for the petrol-only, two-wheel-drive model.
The South Korean car maker claims the hybrid Actyon completes 94 per cent of the emissions lab test simulating city driving in electric mode, and it gains additional sound deadening and revised frequency-selective suspension.
Further details of the KGM Torres Hybrid and Actyon Hybrid are due closer to the SUVs' Australian launches next year.
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Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
