KGM Torres Review 2024

If you're looking for something a little unusual and aren't too fussed about high fuel consumption or a slightly rough-and-ready interior, the KGM Torres is an interesting alternative to more mainstream competitors. It looks cool and has plenty of interior space, which should be enough to feature on many car buyers' shortlists.

While even the most affordable KGM Torres is well-equipped, we'd recommend looking for the top-spec KGM Torres K40. It adds some desirable features which give it the edge over the competition. Highlights include leather seats that are heated and ventilated in the front as well as wireless phone charging, TomTom navigation and stylish 20-inch alloy wheels. The price premium for a brand new K40 over a K30 is around £2000 - although there's a greater supply of the K40 on the used market, meaning there are bargains to be had.

In terms of size, you're best considering the KGM Torres alongside large family SUVs such as the Skoda Kodiaq, Kia Sorento and Nissan X-Trail. Unlike most large SUVs, though, the Torres isn't available with seven seats. If that's not an issue for you, we'd recommend looking at slightly smaller family SUVs such as the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Honda ZR-V, Renault Austral and Skoda Karoq. Most of these undercut the Torres in terms of price (when the KGM Torres isn't on offer, anyway) - and they're more polished all-rounders.

The KGM Torres feels fairly robust inside, so you needn't be worried about delicate fabrics being damaged by day-to-day family life. Lots of hard surfaces don't create a plush environment, though - it certainly doesn't feel as premium as mainstream competitors like the Hyundai Tucson.

We like that the KGM Torres comes with a 12.3-inch infotainment system as standard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, too, although you have to connect your phone via a USB lead - that feels a bit old fashioned when rivals have now switched to wireless setups.

First impressions are good - the screen looks crisp and clear. It takes an age to load, though, and the responses are equally tardy. That gets a bit frustrating when you have to use the infotainment system for everything (including adjusting the temperature of the climate control).

If you want in-built navigation, you'll need to opt for the pricier KGM Torres K40. This adds TomTom navigation to the infotainment screen. We prefer to use Google Maps via Android Auto, though, so it's no great loss if you go for the K30 instead.

Measuring 4705mm long, 1890mm in width and 1720mm in height, the KGM Torres is closer in size to large family SUVs like the Skoda Kodiaq and Nissan X-Trail than mid-size crossovers like the Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson. Unlike these competitors, though, the KGM Torres is offered exclusively as a five-seater - you can't get the Torres with seven seats.

We don't think that's too much of a loss, though, considering the third row of seats in most seven-seat SUVs feels cramped and don't leave a great deal of space in the boot.

The KGM Torres feels spacious inside, with plenty of space for taller adults in both the front and rear. Those in the back won't feel like second-class citizens, either - you get plenty of hedroom and legroom, while the large side windows provide a feeling of airiness. You can even fit three adults side-by-size without too much discomfort.

The boot is huge, too, capable of carrying up to 703 litres of luggage space. It's usefully square in size and access is easy, especially if you go for the top-spec Torres K40 with its electric tailgate. Should you need more space, the rear seats drop easily, providing up to 1662 litres of space.

At the moment, there's just the one engine available in the KGM Torres: a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol combined with a six-speed automatic gearbox. It's pretty standard in this post-diesel age, packing an underwhelming 163PS of power and 260Nm of torque. Performance is adequate, though - it'll accelerate to 62mph in 10.8 seconds and top speed is a licence-losing 118mph.

Compared like-for-like with petrol alternatives, the engine's perfectly punchy enough. You'll notice the car's weight when it's fully-loaded, though, and we quietly think the KGM Torres would be much better with a grunty turbodiesel unit. A hybrid setup is more likely and would bring a welcome increase in power (not to mention fuel economy).

If you're looking for a positive about the KGM Torres, you won't find it here. While the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine is perfectly up to the job of shifting the Torres, it's hampered by the old-fashioned six-speed automatic gearbox. It's slow to react, which means smooth progress is difficult and the engine seems eager to scream away at unnecessary high revs (neither a good thing for refinement or fuel economy).

The engine settles down once you're at a constant speed, but you'll still notice a lot of noise from elsewhere. There's more wind and road noise than you'll notice from competitors, especially if you buy the K40 model with its 20-inch alloy wheels.

The KGM Torres is yet to be crash-tested by Euro NCAP, but it comes well-equipped in terms of driver-assistance features. Autonomous Emergency Braking can detect a potential collision and apply the brakes if necessary, while the Rear Cross Traffic Warning will warn of approaching vehicles when you're reversing out of a parking space. There's a Lane Keeping Assist feature to keep you in your lane on the motorway, while the Blind Spot Detection warns of vehicles hiding in your blind spot.

While KGM might be a relatively new brand, it was previously known as SsangYong - and that used to have a good reliability record in the UK. We have heard of a few battery-draining issues with KGM (and SsangYong) models, but there's nothing too concerning to look out for.

KGM Torres insurance groups range from 32 to 33, depending on which model you go for. The difference in your annual premium is likely to be negligible, although it's worth searching for some quotes online to compare the Torres with competitors - as a niche model, insurers might hit it hard with premiums. We'd expect to the KGM Torres to be cheaper to insure than the electric Torres EVX, though.

It's difficult to spend more than £40,000 on a new KGM Torres - meaning you'll struggle to break the barrier for premium car tax. Be careful, though, as you could be stung for a £600/year bill if you find a high-spec 4x4 model (no matter how little you pay for it secondhand).

Assuming you swerve the premium car tax, you can expect to pay the standard annual VED rate of £190/year.

There are two core trim levels: the KGM Torres K30 and the Torres K40.

Standard equipment on the entry-level KGM Torres K30 includes a 12.3-inch infotainment system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), DAB radio, faux-leather seats (heated in the front), manual seat adjustment and a heated steering wheel. Safety tech highlights on the Torres K30 include front/rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and a host of other driver-assistance features including Lane Keep Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking and Lane Departure Warning to name a few. Exterior highlights include tinted glass, 18-inch alloy wheels and LED lights.

The KGM Torres K40 builds on this spec with intelligent adaptive cruise control, a powered tailgate, TomTom navigation and a wireless phone charger. Premium leather seats are standard, including power adjustment for the front seats, along with seat heating and ventilation for those in the front (while the rear seats are heated). The KGM Torres K40 also comes with interior mood lighting, a driver's knee airbag and 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels.