KGM Musso EV 2025 Review

Introduction

It’s fair to say the pick-up market has taken a bit of a hit with changes to the taxation rules resulting in less attractive Benefit in Kind (BIK) incentives for business buyers. They previously enjoyed a flat rate annual payment, but now the charge is based on carbon emissions and cost. 

By the nature of the beast and due to the tough demands of life on the building site, most pick-ups tend to have high emissions figures and that results in hefty owner costs. However, KGM (formerly SsangYong) may have the perfect answer with the arrival of the all-electric Musso. The Musso EV is treated like any electric car in terms of BiK, which has its obvious advantages.

While discussions are still ongoing before a final decision is made regarding launching the vehicle here in the UK, it is proving popular in other markets, such as Switzerland.

The history of the Musso name dates back to 1994 when it came to the UK as an SUV using Mercedes technology. The Korando Sport launched in 2012 with a pick-up bed, before Musso as we know it today, entered the UK in 2018 with SsangYong badging. The vehicle is currently sold powered by a 2.2 diesel engine and in three trim levels and under new company, KGM.

The Musso EV is not quite as hard-wearing as the traditional Musso, which has sold in excess of 2,000 units in the last 20 months. That’s because it is built on the same platform as the Torres EVX, KGM’s electrified SUV. However, while the Torres EVX is front wheel drive, the Musso EV we’re driving is four-wheel drive, so has extra grip to deal with harsher weather conditions and more demanding terrain. And it boasts plenty of appeal for anyone looking for a slightly ‘softer’ pick-up for everyday life, rather than someone needing to haul rocks from a quarry or take on adventurous expeditions.

We took the Musso EV on an 80-minute test drive to see how it coped on a variety of roads. It has lots of plus points, along with a few negative ones, but we do hope the vehicle gets launched here to take on its only electric pick-up rival – the Maxus T90, a name and model most are unfamiliar with.

At a glance

Our four-door, double-cab Musso EV was an early production model, but not a prototype. That means it was almost fully equipped to a standard level. And you have to admit, when viewed from any angle, it looks as stylish and powerful as its sibling model powered by the diesel engine. It is only sold as a double-cab, making it ideal for families and it stretches more than five metres in length, so boasts a strong road presence.

Eye-catching features include a black grille, muscular wheel arches, plenty of body cladding, decorative grab handles on the sculpted bonnet, KGM branding, black roof rails, sweeping light clusters with daytime running lights and body-coloured door handles.

Our test model also featured bright Blazing Gold paintwork to help it stand out in any crowded car park, with the robust styling completed by 17-inch black alloy wheels And, as a nod to the vehicle’s heritage, there is a small chrome badge resembling a rhino horn, because Musso is Korean for rhino.

Key features

KGM has not announced any trim details for the Musso EV, as we are waiting to hear confirmation it will be launched here in the UK. At present, there is just the single, generously-equipped version that we tested, and that featured all the mod cons available in any family SUV.

That means you get premium Nappa leather seats that are heated in the front and back rows. There are two 12.3-inch infotainment screens that merge seamlessly together and are driver-focused. The left screen is the access point to the on-board tech, while the right-hand screen displays all the important driving data, such as speed, battery charge levels and existing driving range. Creature comforts include full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, TomTom navigation and a 3D surround view camera.

Range and batteries

The KGM Musso EV features an 80.6kWh battery that can deliver a WLTP-tested 290 miles of driving range between charges. If the vehicle was to be used as a workhorse and carried heavy loads, then that range would drop pretty rapidly.

Performance and drive

The four-wheel drive Musso EV features an 80.6kWh battery alongside two electric motors, developing 207PS and 339Nm of torque. This results in a 0-62mph sprint time of 9.1 seconds and a top speed of 110mph. And, possibly the most important figure for any EV owner is the driving range, which on the Musso EV is set at an impressive 290 miles.

When put to the test, the pick-up has rapid pace out the starting blocks with smooth acceleration through the single-speed transmission. There is instant power on tap to join a fast-moving motorway from a slip lane or overtake a slower-moving vehicle. We clocked up a few motorway miles and the Musso EV cruised effortlessly at the national speed limit with a nicely hushed cabin proving another plus point. Should you wish, an artificial engine sound can be activated, but the silence of an EV is one of its attractions.

That said, on twisting, narrow B roads, a noticeable whine sound became more evident and the vehicle feels quite large to manoeuvre through the sharper bends. However, the elevated driving position offers great visibility and that’s a quality that will also be appreciated in busier town centre driving or on the school drop-off run. The turning circle of 12.4 metres is pretty much on par with most pick-ups, and the 3D around view camera is a great help when squeezing into tighter parking spaces.

There are drive modes to alter the handling and dynamics of the Musso EV, and these are accessed via the touchscreen and called Eco, Sport and Winter. There was an EV-mode button, which seemed rather odd, but as we mentioned, this was an early production model.

The steering wheel-mounted paddles can be used to adjust the strength of the regenerative braking, which will help boost battery levels as it captures energy that would otherwise be lost during braking. The ride is exceptionally good for a pick-up and that’s mainly down to the suspension set-up which is geared towards improving comfort levels rather than tackling gruelling off-road demands.

And drivers can rely on the capable automatic all-wheel drive system that incorporates a front and rear wheel drivetrain to automatically send torque to where it’s needed most to maximise grip and stability. The Musso EV is 5,160mm long, 1,920mm wide (including mirrors) and 1,740mm tall with a wheelbase of 3,150mm.

Charging

The Musso EV supports fast charging and that means the 80.6kWh battery can be boosted from 10 to 80 per cent in 36 minutes. If plugged into an 11kW wallbox, which will prove most cost-effective, a zero to 100 per cent charge takes just over 10 hours.

Running costs and emissions

As discussions are still ongoing regarding bringing the Musso EV to the UK, no prices or trim levels have been announced to date. But if there is just the one grade that we tested, it is really well equipped as standard and there will be little need to go searching for any optional extras.

The first-year Vehicle Excise Duty, or road tax, for the Musso EV would be £10 and that charge increases to the standard £195 fee after 12 months.

But everything gets a little bit cloudy when we get to Benefit in Kind for business drivers as the tax regulations changed earlier this year. Double-cab pick-ups now gain their BiK tax ratings based on carbon emissions rather than a flat commercial vehicle rate. However, that only applies to models with a one-tonne payload capacity and the Musso EV is less at 690kg.

Currently, anything with less than a one-tonne payload is worked out on its carbon emissions as it is classed as a car, so what of the Musso EV then? At present, HMRC and the SMMT are in discussion concerning electric pick-ups, so watch this space.

Interior and tech

Climb on-board the Musso EV and the interior is more akin to a luxury SUV than a pick-up truck, and that’s one of the reasons KGM believes this vehicle will appeal to the masses of soft roaders rather than farmers and builders.

The powered front seats are upholstered in premium Nappa leather and can be heated or ventilated. Additionally, the steering wheel offers ample manual adjustment and, along with the rear seats, can be warned against the winter blues.

A curved screen is the main attraction within the cabin and this houses two 12.3-inch infotainment screens. There is the full colour LCD driver display, where numbers such as driving range, battery charge and current speed are clearly shown, and this can be customised to taste.

The other screen is the Musso’s nerve centre as it’s where all the on-board tech is accessed. Features include TomTom sat nav, or Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity if you prefer your Google or Apple maps. There is automatic dual-zone air conditioning, a 360-degree camera, top quality sound system, intelligent cruise control and lots more besides.

Despite the touchscreen being fairly user-friendly and the icons responsive to the touch, we would prefer more physical controls throughout the cabin. There is a favourites button on the squircle-shaped steering wheel that offers quick-access to certain functions. This is ideal if you want to turn off some of the safety warning sounds or the lane keep assist. But it’s difficult to always press the correct buttons if driving across bumpy tracks.

One feature we liked though was the ‘Rear Seat Sleep’ function which mutes the speakers in the back of the vehicle so passengers can have a snooze. The cabin has a nice feel to it with bronze dashboard inserts, neat copper contrast stitching to the doors, steering wheel and seats, plus soft-touch surfaces that also help raise the interior quality.

Practicality and boot space

The Musso EV’s cabin is quite high, as is the pick-up way, but access is made easier thanks to grab handles on all but the driver’s door. Once inside, the generous level of space is clearly evident. A couple of adults will easily fit up front and there is ample leg, head and shoulder space for two more fully-grown adults in the back too. Add a third and they will be fighting over the window seats for the heater, but at least there is no central transmission hump to straddle.

There are ample storage options scattered throughout the cabin, including a glovebox, central cubby with wireless charging pad, wide door pockets with sections to hold bottles, front and rear cup holders, a huge compartment beneath the centre console with a non-slip base to stop items rolling around, plus seat back pockets that have a separate mobile phone section.

But, with its workhorse cap on, the Musso EV needs to impress on the carrying and towing fronts too and it does to a certain degree. Unlike its sibling Musso vehicles, the payload is just 690kg rather than one tonne, but at least the Musso EV can pull a braked trailer weighing up to 1.8 tonnes at the same time as carrying that maximum payload limit. The load bed measures 1,345mm in length, 1,515mm across and 510mm in height, so it depends if the reduced payload capacity will be a compromise too far, or just fine for day-to-day use.

At present, no wading depth figures have been announced and we are yet to hear if the EV battery will have any effect on that figure. But we have been informed the Musso EV has an approach angle of 20.2 degrees, a departure angle of 24.3 degrees and 181.4mm of ground clearance. Additionally, the self-levelling suspension maintains a constant rear ride height under different loads without compromising ride stability.

Safety

The KGM Musso powered by a diesel engine has not been tested for a Euro NCAP safety rating, so it’s unlikely the electrified version will be either. That said; it does come equipped with a decent amount of safety features and driver assistance aids to help protect the driver and passengers, along with other road users.

The test model featured a brake assist system, safety exit warning, blind spot detection, hill driving assist, rear cross traffic alert and trailer sway control, plus eight airbags. And, the all-wheel drive system is tried and tested, so will keep the vehicle moving when Mother Nature has one of her unexpected mood swings.

Options

At this stage, it is too early to speculate about the possibility of optional extras. Our Musso EV was fully loaded with technology, so wouldn’t need anything added to the mix, but owners may look to fitting a cover to the payload area, if available.

Rival cars

Fully electrified pick-ups are few and far between in the UK right now with just the Maxus T90 providing any opposition to the Musso EV. And it still hasn’t been fully confirmed that the Korean manufacturer will even be bringing its EV here.

It is worth noting though that Isuzu is introducing a fully electrified version of its D-Max early next year.

Verdict and next steps

Although it’s still early days for the Musso EV and there are probably more questions than answers at this stage, it does have plenty of appeal. Maybe not for the hard-core ute drivers out there, but for someone looking for some middle ground between an SUV and full-on pick-up.

It drives really well, even without a payload, which is quite unusual in the sector, and has bundles of technology inside a modern, upmarket and quite premium cabin. Factor in the decent driving range with impressive handling, and this a ‘one to watch’ in our books.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the KGM Musso EV 

**Correct as of 1/10/2025. Based on 12 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 36 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 12 monthly payments, or £4456.92 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.