KGM Musso Rhino (2026 - )

It’s been quite turbulent in the pick-up sector in recent years with customers facing government changes to the Benefit-in-Kind taxation rulings. Basically, all double cab models that feature rear seats are treated the same as a car and that means their BiK rating is based on carbon emissions and the list price.

Following the announcement, customers snapped up available stock models to beat the regulation change and sales figures soared, but as the new rulings came into force last April, those numbers dropped off a cliff.

And, to top things off, there is a bit of an identity crisis going on too. While the pick-up scene was once coveted by farmers, builders and anyone who needed a vehicle to put in a hard day’s graft, there is now the lifestyle brigade who want the fashionable models to improve their street cred! And that means they also demand all the creature comforts we find in modern cars.

But that hasn’t deterred manufacturers from developing excellent vehicles and KGM, formerly SsangYong, has done just that with the arrival of the latest go-anywhere Musso Rhino and Rhino+ that features a longer payload bed.

While the Musso has always been accepted as a brilliant off-road vehicle that is unique in its ability to carry more than a tonne of payload at the same time as towing a 3.5-tonne trailer, the 2026 model boasts a bold new look that gives it a far stronger identity. But there is added refinement too with an SUV-inspired cabin, so expect to find the finest leather upholstery alongside all the mod cons imaginable.

And despite being the flagship model in the Musso line-up, sitting above the outgoing Rebel and Saracen models, it is competitively priced at £38,995 (excluding VAT). Customers do have the choice of the all-electric Musso EV and the Korean company has announced the arrival of a more basic trim a little later down the line. Additionally, there is a commercial version with the rear seats removed, which helps tackle the BiK issue, but we concentrated on the seemingly invincible Musso Rhino for our test drive, which included some time on the road and then the chance to explore some of the vehicle’s more extreme off-road qualities.

Both the Musso Rhino and Rhino+ are powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine delivering 202PS and 400Nm of torque. It is matched to an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission and while there are no official 0-62mph times, expect something in the region of 12.0 seconds, with a top speed of 107mph.

This new vehicle feels more composed and that means it can be pushed on through twisting A roads with confidence. It’s grippy and balanced, although you do need to wind it up a little to overtake slower-moving vehicles. There are Normal, Sport and Winter drive modes that alter the characteristics of the vehicle, but no steering wheel-mounted paddles to take manual control of the gear shift changes. 

The all-round driver visibility is excellent, although make sure the rear headrests are lowered before setting off, and its agility in towns, with lots of manoeuvring, also impressed.

Comfort levels are good and the ride is perfectly acceptable without any payload in the back. There was a time when a pick-up was almost undriveable without some hefty weight in the back, but that’s not the case with this latest Musso Rhino.

Admittedly, it’s not the most refined when it comes to peace and quiet and by that we mean you will hear the rumble of the diesel powertrain working away in the background, but the sound system will easily drown that out. 

Sheer toughness is another major part of the equation. Yes, it’s a perfectly acceptable, well-equipped road vehicle, but the true test comes once the Tarmac ends. That’s where this pick-up really shines, confidently tackling challenging terrain, as we experienced first-hand when faced with a dedicated off-road course.

With selectable 4x4 and low range, drivers can switch between 2WD high range, 4WD high range and 4WD low range depending on the terrain and weather conditions. The hill start assist means you can come to a standstill on a steep climb and then instantly pick up traction to keep moving again, while the hill descent control allows you to take your feet off the pedals on a sharp drop allowing the vehicle’s technology to control the speed and braking in a safe manner. Additionally, the locking differential comes to the rescue when losing traction on mud, snow or other slippery surfaces.

This rough, tough and rugged pick-up overcame every challenge we threw in its path, be it climbing up steep hill climbs, weaving down sharp ascents or rambling across rocks. I can’t imagine it will fear any of Mother Nature’s severe mood swings during its lifetime.

There was a time when a pick-up truck was viewed as a workhorse with luxurious touches few and far between. But fast forward to 2026 and vehicles such as the KGM Musso Rhino are bursting at the seams with high-end tech and quality fixtures and fittings.

Expect powered seats upholstered in premium Nappa leather that can be heated or cooled, a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. Either farmers are going a bit soft or these vehicles are being snapped up by the likes of you and I who want a go-anywhere model that doesn’t expect to compromise on life’s niceties.

But that doesn’t mean the Musso Rhino doesn’t deliver the goods when put to the test, as we will get to a little later on - it just means it offers the best of both worlds.

The 2026 Rhino features a more dramatic, robust look that helps it stand out from the crowd. At the front, there is a new-look muscular grille, with a stronger lighting signature. There are 18-inch alloy wheels, silver side steps, black and silver roof rails, an embossed KGM tailgate and Rhino graphics. It all adds up to a far stronger road presence than the outgoing model.

Technology is plentiful with a pair of 12.3-inch infotainment screens. The left one offers access to the on-board features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, a DAB radio, TomTom navigation, a 360-degree 3D surround view camera and lots more besides. The right screen is the digital instrument cluster where all the important driving data is clearly displayed.

There are plenty of physical controls and switches, which we applaud, plus a chunky gear lever and separate climate control panel.

It’s all totally driver-focused and the drop-down menu offers easy access to deactivate some of the more annoying safety aids. Our only gripe was the positioning of the drive mode button which is tucked away the passenger side of the gear lever, but that was it.

The new KGM Musso Rhino boasts a strong road presence thanks to its new more assertive front end and it’s a vehicle that stretches 5,150mm in length, is 1,950mm wide, 1,865mm tall and has a 3,100mm wheelbase.

Climb aboard using the side steps and grab handles if necessary and you are met with a spacious cabin with oodles of room up front for a couple of six-foot-plus adults. And there is enough room for a couple more in the rear too, provided the seats are not pushed right back. A trio of youngsters would have ample space on a longer journey.

There are numerous handy storage compartments scattered throughout the cabin to keep bits and pieces safe, such as a lockable glovebox, wide door bins, front and rear cup holders, a deep central cubby beneath a padded armrest, a wireless charging pad, four USB-C ports and some trays.

Towing is one of the Musso’s major strengths thanks to its ability to pull a trailer or caravan weighing up to 3.5 tonnes. And this is achievable while carrying a decent payload too of up to 1,090kg with a 1,011-litre load bed capacity. If more carrying limits are needed, the Rhino+ boasts best-in-class by volume with 1,262 litres of cargo and the weight increases to 1,200kg.

Additionally, KGM has a solid reputation for reliability, but for added peace of mind, the Musso Rhino and Rhino+ are sold with the company’s excellent five-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

The Musso, whether carrying SsangYong or KGM badging, has been a firm favourite with the farming community and tradesmen for many years, so this latest version will be greeted with high expectations. And it doesn’t disappoint with competitive pricing to match its outstanding capabilities.

The Musso Rhino costs £38,995 (excluding VAT) while the Rhino+ with the larger payload bed, is just £1,000 extra (plus VAT). And we know a more basic, cheaper version will be introduced a little later on.

According to official WLTP-testing our Musso Rhino test vehicle could deliver a combined 29.6mpg with carbon emissions of 252g/km. 

Last year, the government threw a spanner in the works for would-be pick-up buyers looking to run the vehicle as a company model by changing the Benefit-in-Kind rules. While pick-ups previously had a flat-rate BiK rating, vehicles featuring a double cab with rear passenger seats, are now treated as cars, so the tax relief is instead based on cost and carbon emissions. That means the Musso Rhino’s 252g/km CO2 figure would result in the worst BiK rating of 37 per cent.

But there is better news when it comes to the road tax as pick-ups that can carry a one-tonne payload, as the Musso can, are still classified as Light Commercial Vehicles with an annual fixed rate of £360. And, it’s worth adding that the VAT can be reclaimed for these models provided the business is VAT-registered.

If you’re looking for a sophisticated, refined pick-up truck that will look trendy parked outside the school gates, then maybe the Musso Rhino is not for you. This is a robust vehicle with go-anywhere potential. If there’s a storm on the way and you’re told to evacuate the area – this would be a go-to vehicle for the job.

That said; the latest version of the truck is packed with mod cons, so has an upmarket feel compared with earlier versions. That means there are all the creature comforts we ‘need’ these days to cope with life – i.e. you can easily connect a smartphone for Spotify access and the 360-degree camera will make you look an expert when reversing into a tight parking space.

The benefits for business drivers have taken a hit recently due to changes to the Benefit in Kind format, but this vehicle still has plenty of charm, charisma and all-round appeal, especially with its attention-grabbing new styling cues.