2026 KGM Musso review

The KGM Musso – formerly known as the SsangYong Musso, and also formerly the KGM SsangYong Musso – has received some changes recently.

The new dual-cab ute range sees the long-wheelbase XLV variant offered range-wide, and some specific differences between the tradie-focused base grade and the higher-end offerings.

The model tested here is the Ultimate XLV, the flagship offering that sports a new appearance which makes it more modern looking than the rest.

This review will cover what this ute does well, the stuff if stuffs up, and whether you should consider it or not. 

How much does the KGM Musso cost?

The just-updated KGM Musso range is a bit pricier thanks to upgraded technology on offer.

The difference between the standard model and the XLV is the wheelbase and tub length. Buy an XLV and you get a stretched chassis and a longer tub, but the cabin is the same size. I think the XLV model looks better and more muscular, personally.

Since launch, prices for this generation of Musso have continued to ascend, but there are some top-notch alternatives to consider, from GWM, LDV, MG and Mitsubishi, and of course from Korea’s other ute, the all-new Kia Tasman.

To see how the KGM Musso lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

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What is the KGM Musso like on the inside?

The last update to this model brought a seismic shift to a more tech-focused cabin comprising two new 12.3-inch digital screens.

The media screen is pretty basic if you ask anything more of it than to listen to the radio or mirror your phone, and you need to use a USB cable to connect up to CarPlay or Android Auto, too. There’s not much more beyond that and the screen is rather plain, but at least it’s simple to jump to where you want to be through the menus.

The digital instrument cluster is bright and clear, with a number of configurations and a depth of info available through the buttons on the steering wheel… which is also where you’ll find the only buttons for volume and tuning for the media screen. 

The controls for the air-con are more user-focused, with touch-sensitive toggles and a bank of buttons there for your fan speed, air-con modes, and more. 

High-grade examples also score front seat heating and cooling, which is excellent considering the buy-in price. Some big-name utes don’t have those on their $75k models, and many don’t offer seat ventilation whatsoever.

There is a pair of cupholders, a covered centre console bin, bottle holders in the doors and a small loose item cubby in front of the gear selector, but you don’t get a large console bin or storage spot for your phone, and there’s still no wireless phone charging, which is frustrating. 

Back-seat space is adequate, but not as roomy as in other utes in the segment. At 182cm/6’0” tall, I had my knees up against the seatback, and it’s a hard plastic seatback, too (good for parents, not so great for grown-ups). Foot room and head room are good, though, and you can fit three adults across the back.

But. And it’s a big old but…

The middle seat STILL misses out on a lap-sash seatbelt, which is deplorable for a modern-day ute. There’s a lap-only seatbelt, which may have been acceptable in a 1990s Navara, but this class of vehicle demands better safety today. 

However, it has three – yes, three – top-tether points to attach child-seat straps too. So, if you were to position a kid seat in the middle with just the lap-strap belt in play, you’d still be able to tether it in position using the middle top-tether. Plus of course there are ISOFIX points in the window seats.

Second-row amenities include directional air-vents, map pockets, and bottle holders in both doors, plus a flip-down armrest with cupholders.

The seat base doesn’t flip up in the Musso, but you can option a clever pull-out drawer accessory if you want to make it a bit more handy inside.

Now, the tub.

The XLV is the go if you need to use the cargo zone a lot, because it offers significantly more usability. 

The standard tub is 1300mm long, and measures 1570mm wide, with 1140mm between the arches (meaning it’s a touch too narrow for the 1165mm-square Aussie pallet), but has greater tub depth than most utes – 570mm.

Choosing the XLV version will give you the same width, arch-gap and depth, but a huge 1625mm of floor tub length. That means you’ll be able to drop the tailgate and fit two Euro pallets in, nose-to-tail.. 

For reference, the regular Musso is a relatively tiny (for a dual-cab ute) 5095mm long and has a 3100mm wheelbase, whereas the XLV is 5409mm long and has a 3310mm wheelbase.

To see how the KGM Musso lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

The KGM Musso range is still offered with one powertrain in two different states of tune, and they’re both less than what you get if you’re considering the related Rexton SUV.

The Musso’s 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine is good for 133kW of power, but peak torque is 400Nm for SWB models, and 420Nm for XLV models. They’re heavier, so that helps.

All versions of the Musso have a six-speed Aisin automatic transmission, and selectable four-wheel drive (2H, 4H and low-range 4L) with an auto-locking rear differential. 

All grades come with unbraked towing capacity of 750kg and a braked maximum towing capacity of 3500kg – the benchmark for dual-cab utes.

The gross vehicle mass (or GVM) for the SWB versions of the Musso is 2880kg, and that jumps to 2980kg for the XLV versions of the Adventure and Ultimate. But if you choose the ELX XLV, the figure is 3220kg due to its leaf-spring rear suspension, where the other versions are all running a coil-sprung rear-end.

That has an impact on gross combination mass (GCM), too, with the SWB models rated to 6380kg, and the Adventure and Ultimate XLV long-wheelbase models are pegged at 6480kg. But the ELX XLV has a huge GCM of 6720kg – properly suitable for heavy-duty hauling.

All SWB versions have a payload of 790kg, while XLV coil-sprung versions are rated at 880kg. The leaf-sprung ELX XLV is rated at 1010kg.

To see how the KGM Musso lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How does the KGM Musso drive?

There’s a bit to like about the Musso’s drive experience.

The 2.2-litre turbo-diesel is up to the task, with a nice amount of mid-range shove available when you give it a poke at pace. It isn’t quick from a standstill, but there’s enough punch to help you overtake without fuss in most situations.

The six-speed auto is well considered at lower speeds, offering smooth shifts and decent logic at speeds below 80km/h.

But at highway pace, it can get busy – especially if you’re not loaded up. To me it felt like it would have been able to just use the torque of the engine in sixth gear, but instead would shuffle between the final cogs more than it arguably needed to. 

As part of the changes, there has been a new steering system added to all but the ELX XLV, and it does make a difference to the confidence on offer. The last time I drove a Musso with the pre-updated hydraulic steering, it felt unevenly weighted and hard to judge. But the new electric-assisted steering is far more manageable, and offers more intuitiveness. 

The suspension was decently comfortable, with the rear coil-spring setup enhancing the experience to feel a bit more SUV-like than other utes in the segment. Even unladen it’s reasonably well mannered, and it corners with confidence.

There’s not a lot of annoyance for the safety tech either. The lane departure warning system now also does some assisted steering for you, but it has a simple button on the steering wheel to disable it if you don’t like it. 

But annoyingly, KGM still hasn’t got adaptive cruise control in any version of the Musso, despite the fact you get that in the Rexton now.

Another big plus for the Musso is that it’s relatively quiet. Many other dual-cab utes have loud engines or let in a lot of wind and road noise, but this is one of the quietest pickups in the segment.

To see how the KGM Musso lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What do you get?

Here’s a rundown of the spec lists for the KGM Musso range.

2025 KGM Musso equipment highlights:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• HID headlights (projector halogen on XLV)
• LED daytime running lights
• Front fog lights
• Silver roof rails
• Cruise control
• Hill descent control
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Height adjustment
  • Reach adjustment
• Cloth upholstery
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

The Advance adds:

• 18-inch black alloy wheels
• Black grille
• HID headlights
• LED front fog lights
• Rear privacy glass
• Black roof rails
• Leatherette upholstery
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Dual-zone climate control

The Ultimate adds:

• LED headlights with sequential indicators
• Power sunroof
• ‘Special design’ front bumper and grille
• Proximity entry with walk-away auto door locking
• Black interior highlights
• 8-way power-adjustable front seats
  • Power lumbar for driver’s seat
• Heated outboard rear seats

To see how the KGM Musso lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Is the KGM Musso safe?

There is no ANCAP or Euro NCAP rating for the Musso. Never has been, in all these years on sale. 

Then there’s the lap-only centre rear seatbelt. Lap-sash belts have been around since the 1950s. It’s past time this ute got five lap-sash belts.

Standard safety equipment across the range includes:

• Autonomous emergency braking
• Lane departure warning
• Lane-keep assist (excludes XLV variants)
• Reversing camera
• Front and rear parking sensors
• 6 airbags

The Advance adds:

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Safe exit warning
• Tyre pressure monitoring

The Ultimate also features a surround-view camera.

To see how the KGM Musso lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How much does the KGM Musso cost to run?

KGM has continued on similar aftersales provisions for the Musso as the SsangYong brand it replaced. There’s a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for private and business customers.

Servicing intervals are every 12 months/15,000km, and there’s a seven-year capped-price service program that spans out to 105,000km, with the average maintenance fee capped at $462. Just be mindful that some consumable items may attract additional fees.

KGM offers a five-year roadside assistance plan.

To see how the KGM Musso lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Take on the KGM Musso

The KGM Musso is a decent option for those in the market for a dual-cab ute that offers refined driving and a more SUV-like experience, but still with hugely practical tub space and benchmark towing capability.

It is let down by some oversights – no adaptive cruise, no lap-sash middle seatbelt in the back – but if those aren’t a concern to you, it’s a comfy and likeable diesel ute that’s well worth a look for budget-focused buyers.

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MORE: Explore the KGM Musso showroom