KGM Musso EV (2024 - 2025)

Changes to the taxation set-up and more stringent rules for Benefit in Kind incentives has meant the pick-up sector has taken quite a hit recently. It’s all a little bit cloudy with payloads, carbon emissions and the number of seats all elements that need to be considered, but now KGM (formerly SsangYong) has launched an electrified model into the mix.

While the standard Musso is well known and has a great reputation as a hard-working, go-anywhere unit, the Musso EV features all the creature comforts found on the company’s Torres model.

It is definitely a ‘softer’ pick-up with more emphasis on comfort and refinement than most, but it can put in a shift when needed and boasts four-wheel drive, plus a decent driving range between charges.

KGM has not announced for certain whether or not it will be bringing the Musso EV to UK shores and is currently assessing feedback from would-be customers. Therefore, we don’t have an official price just yet, but it will likely be at the lower end of the scale.

We took the vehicle on an 80-minute test drive on a route that incorporated dual carriageways, busy town centres and plenty of winding B roads, to see how it coped when put through its paces.

The Musso EV is powered by an 80.6kWh battery, alongside two electric motors for all-wheel drive. With 207PS and 339Nm of torque, it can sprint to 62mph from a standing start in a respectable 7.9 seconds and maxes out at 110mph. But, possibly the most important figure for would-be customers is the driving range, which is a WLTP-tested 290 miles between charges.
The acceleration through the single speed transmission is certainly smooth and responsive, with plenty of zip to join fast-moving traffic from a slow slip lane. The vehicle is balanced through twisting country lanes and the grip also impresses. The lane keep assist set-up is quite strong, so if left activated will pull you back from any white lines, but it is quite easy to disengage.
Driver visibility is excellent with a great view across the hedgerows and this is also an advantage in busier villages with cars darting out from all angles. Additionally, the practical 3D around-view camera is really handy when squeezing into a tight parking space.
There are drive modes called Eco, Sport and Winter which are accessed via the touchscreen, along with steering wheel-mounted paddles to alter the strength of the regenerative braking and help boost the battery levels on the move.
The ride and comfort levels were surprisingly good, especially as the Musso EV was not carrying any payload. Normally a pick-up can be quite fidgety without the added weight, but not so the Musso. That is because this vehicle has a multi-link suspension set-up rather than the traditional leaf spring arrangement.
And cabin refinement impresses too with occupants well protected from outside noise. There is a slight whining sound as the vehicle reaches 60mph and beyond, but it’s not too intrusive.

The Musso EV is a double-cab, five-seat pick-up that has plenty of kerb appeal thanks to its sculpted bonnet, black grille, sweeping light clusters with LEDS stretching the width of the car, body cladding, black roof rails, body-coloured door handles and mirrors, 17-inch black alloy wheels, skid plates, KGM branding and small chrome rhino badging. The latter feature is a nod to the car’s heritage as ‘Musso’ is Korean for ‘rhino’. We should also mention the bright Blazing Gold paintwork – this is a vehicle you’ll never lose in a busy car park.
It's when you climb inside the Musso EV that the wow factor hits you. Unlike many pick-ups that are quite basic and lacking in any high-end features, the Musso EV is like a top-notch SUV with Nappa leather seats, that are heated in the front and back. These powered seats, along with the doors and dashboard feature smart copper-coloured contrast stitching and there are also some eye-catching copper-shaded dash inserts.
A pair of 12.3-inch infotainment screens merge together to form one clear curved display and the list of creature comforts also impresses. Expect to find TomTom navigation, dual-zone air conditioning, a 3D surround view camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, plus a great sound system. There is even a rather clever ‘Rear Seat Sleep’ control that will turn off the speakers in the back if passengers fancy 40 winks.
The icons on the main screen are easy to use on the move, but we would have preferred a few more physical controls for added simplicity. And the driver display screen behind the squircle-shaped, two-spoke steering wheel clearly shows the vital driving numbers such as existing range, battery charge levels and speed.
 

Firstly, we need to address the elephant in the room when it comes to practicality. While almost every pick-up on the market can carry a one-tonne (or more) payload, the Musso EV is limited to just 690kg. But in KGM’s defence here, the Musso EV is not being billed as a rough and ready workhorse, but more of an urban pick-up that will appeal to someone who wants something chunkier than an SUV without compromising all the luxury touches along the way.
And with that target audience in mind, the Musso EV can tow a trailer or caravan weighing up to 1.8 tonnes, whilst carrying that 690kg payload. That makes this vehicle ideal for adventurous family getaways. And the Vehicle to Load capabilities means it can be used to charge external devices such as pumps, laptops, speakers, lighting and much more.
Passenger space is generous with ample room for three youngsters in the back of the cab, with seats that can slide, be tilted or reclined. A couple of adults will sit comfortably in the back, but add a third and it gets a tad too cosy.
Storage options throughout the Musso EV are plentiful with a huge non-slip area beneath the centre console, wide door bins, a glovebox, central cubby, wireless charging pad, front and rear cup holders, along with seat back pockets with a section to store mobile phones securely.
And, although figures are still being finalised, the Musso EV is no soft-roader. It boasts 181.4mm of ground clearance, and has approach and departure angles of  20.2 degrees and 24.3 degrees respectively.
Charging the 80.6kWh battery from 10 to 80 per cent takes 36 minutes via a fast charger, but it will prove more cost-effective to use a lower-powered wallbox at home or work. If plugged into an 11kW unit, the Musso EV’s battery can go from zero to 100 per cent in a little over 10 hours.

With discussions still ongoing about whether or not to bring the Musso EV to the UK, prices and specifications are still being worked on. 
The pick-up industry has taken quite a battering recently with government changes to the rules and regulations for taxation purposes with less incentives for business drivers.
However, with its sub-one-tonne payload capacity, the Musso EV is taxed as a car so the first year charge would be like any other EV at £10, increasing to the standard charge of £195 after 12 months.
The Benefit in Kind rating would also be based on that of a car, so it would be set at three per cent for 2025/26. However, the goalposts are constantly being moved, so the VED and BIK ratings could be changed by any new Government rulings.

KGM has 55 years of expertise in commercial vehicle manufacturing and the Musso EV is the next step for the Korean company. It combines the ruggedness of a pick-up with the refined styling and comfort of an SUV.

At this stage, the plans are still in their infancy, so prices, specifications and delivery times are yet to be announced.

But we really hope KGM brings its Musso EV to the UK as it introduces something completely new to the sector.