KGM Torres 152kW K40 73kWh 5dr Auto

Ten Second Review

The Torres was the SUV the KGM brand effectively launched with and this all-electric EVX version is a much more sophisticated take on this design. There's nothing particularly ground-breaking about the engineering on show here, but the styling certainly makes most rival mainstream models look bland.

Background

Korean maker KGM must be extremely thankful for the EV revolution. It'll certainly help the company here that electric vehicle customers are less sensitive than their combustion predecessors would have been when it comes to investing in an unknown brand - they have to be with new marques entering the European market now every few months. But here there's more. KGM is a re-branded name for the manufacturer we used to know as SsangYong. The company only has a future because of a shared development deal with Chinese maker BYD. Who mainly make EVs. Rather good EVs actually, which is why there's quite a spirit of optimism around KGM's UK importers when it comes to this car, the Torres EVX. This all-new mid-sized SUV first appeared with an old-school combustion engine rather at odds with its futuristic looks. In battery form, the whole package seems far more complete. But complete enough to seriously consider? Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

It's fortunate that few Torres EVX customers will be even aware that at the time of this model's launch, KGM sold another EV in this market space, the Korando E-Motion. If you do happen to be aware of that under-whelming model, forget about it now and concentrate on this BYD-engineered contender instead, because it's quite different. The Jeep-style rugged looks suggest some sort of dual motor AWD set-up, but nothing of that kind yet exists in a KGM showroom. Instead, the front axle offers a single 201bhp electric motor energised by a 73.4kWh battery, which when fully charged is apparently good for up to 287 miles. Goodness knows how much higher that figure would be if this Torres wasn't squarically-sized and, like all EVs, weighed down by its battery like a proverbial brick. Impressively, aided by 339Nm of torque, this EVX version has the same 1,500kg braked towing capacity as the 1.5-litre combustion model - which is likely to be a major customer draw. Don't expect cutting-edge drive dynamics - but since when has any EV crossover of this kind offered that? You're likely to find this one predictable, solid and refined, with plenty of camera safety kit for the longer journeys you might be tempted to take if you're not habitually afflicted with range anxiety. Don't expect off road capability quite as good as the combustion model, but KGM claims 'competitive' approach and departure angles and these are aided by a tough chassis fashioned from 81% high tensile steel.

Design and Build

KGM has decided to try and differentiate the look of this EVX model a little from the combustion version. The main change is the substitution of conventional headlights for an LED light bar. And of course, like any EV, there's a blanked-off front grille. The 20-inch alloy wheel design is unique to this model, which also does without the red towing hitch cover that marks out the front end of the regular Torres. 'Powered by Toughness' is apparently the design philosophy behind this design - which is hardly a unique approach amongst SUVs. So it's quite refreshing to find that this car looks quite different to most of its rivals. The slotted grille gives a Jeep-style vibe, but here it's accompanied by all kinds of sharp creases and edges. This SUV's a little bigger than it looks in the pictures, the 4.7-metre length about the same as a Nissan X-Trail or Skoda Kodiaq. There's a chunky profile too, with 1,720mm of height and 1,890mm of width. Lots of black plastic cladding and a contrasting C-pillar add finishing touches. It's modern and minimalist inside, where a wide, slim dashboard houses a pair of 12.3-inch screens. You view the 'twin panoramic' instrument display through a four-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel. And you're surrounded by metal accents, smart ambient lighting and (on top models) leather upholstery, which all aim to create a luxurious, sophisticated vibe. Rear seat space is generous for a couple of adults, but you might reasonably expect an SUV the length of an X-Trail or Kodiaq to offer a third seating row. The Torres doesn't, which seems like a bit of a missed opportunity. That does at least mean you get a class-leadingly large boot, rated at 703-litres with the rear seats in place - or 1,662-litres with them folded.

Market and Model

Think in terms of a budget of just under £45,000 for a Torres EVX and you won't be too far out. That's about £5,000-£8,000 more than the combustion model. There's a choice of two trim levels, 'K30' and 'K40'; either way, as expected equipment levels are generous. There's 20-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch smart audio screen with 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' and a rear view camera. Plus you get automatic dual zone air conditioning, a heated leather steering wheel and TPU leather upholstery. There's also a 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster, auto headlamps and wipers and an electro-chromatic rear view mirror. If you can stretch to the plusher variant, you'll get premium leather seats, a smart powered tailgate and 20-inch diamond cut alloy wheels. Plus power-folding mirrors, a wireless phone charger and rear privacy glass. There are some nice touches too. Parking is made safe and easy with the 3D 360 'surround view' monitoring system, while the driver can talk more comfortably with rear seat passengers thanks to an 'aided conversation' mode. Those in the back can also take a rest during a long journey by using the 'sleeper mode' to prevent music emitting from the speakers. Safety kit fitted across the range includes autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic warning, blind spot detection, lane departure warning, driver attention alert, front vehicle start alert, lane keeping assist, trailer sway control and a smart high beam system for the headlights.

Cost of Ownership

We gave you the EV range figure in our driving section - 287 miles. A number beginning with '3' would have made this Torres a more competitive proposition in its segment - which KGM might have got near had it equipped this EVX with the 18-inch wheels of the combustion Torres, rather than the bespoke 20-inch rims that customers of this variant have to have. The big 73.4kWh battery's DC charging rate - 145kW - isn't particularly noteworthy either, but at a rapid DC charger, you can still replenish most of the battery in 28 minutes. BYD wants to highlight that 'blade' battery's LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) chemistry, which is far more receptive to continual fast charges than other chemistries. After 2000 fast-charge cycles, usable capacity will stay at more than 70%. Another selling point this KGM does have over many of its rivals is its V2L (Vehicle-to-Lod) charging capability. This allows owners to charge external devices - like laptops, lights, fridge boxes, even theoretically another EV - from the vehicle's drive battery. Whatever Torres model you decide upon, perhaps the best bit is the peace of mind that comes as standard with this car thanks to KGM's impressively complete five year 100,000 mile warranty.

Summary

You could make a case for seriously considering a Torres EVX - which was a lot more difficult to do with the brand's previous electric model, the Korando E-Motion. The range and charging stats are competitive, the cabin's practical, the looks are striking and no one else on your street is likely to have one. All of these attributes should be comfortably enough to shift the relatively small initial allocation of Torres EVX models bound for these shores. More wide-reaching success beyond that might be challenging for this car. The over-crowded segment it's competing in is already well populated by more established makers and KGM's designers haven't helped the showroom staff by not including a seven-seat model in the range. Still, if you're looking for a rather different mid-sized EV crossover and like the Jeep/ Land Cruiser-style vibe on show here, there might be something for you with this car. There's definitely nothing else quite like it.