Frankfurt, Germany. mobile.bg team from the event site.
Korean automakers have long established themselves on the global market, but the appearance of the KGM (until recently SsangYong) Torres Hybrid still arouses curiosity. In a segment dominated by established players such as Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage, Torres is a new, unknown, but also a bold contender. In 2022, we saw its first images, and in the spring of 2023, the brand changed its name to KG Mobility.
Now, after the ICE variant and the all-electric version, the hybrid model is also entering the market, which is proving to be key for the European market, mainly due to the presence of the ICE and low CO2 emissions. Although the electric version is not attracting much interest, KGM has ambitious plans to expand its model range and introduce seven new models by 2030. But let's get back to the KGM Torres Hybrid.
After conducting extensive tests of the model in the German city of Frankfurt and its surroundings, we can safely say that this crossover, which is practically a “big unknown”, offers a lot for its price and has the potential to bite off a piece of the crowded market in this segment. Here are our impressions.
Exterior
Visually, the Torres Hybrid is a true SUV. Its design is rugged, with a distinct off-road aesthetic that is reminiscent of both a Jeep at the front and a Range Rover at the rear. At 4.7 meters long, it features a wide, black C-pillar and a relief element on the tailgate that resembles a spare tire cover.
Although the handle is located on the right, the tailgate actually opens upwards rather than sideways, which is an interesting design trick. Six colors are available for the European market, with the option of a contrasting black roof adding even more style. Overall, the exterior of the Torres is solid and impressive, setting it apart from the more common offerings in the segment.
Interior
The interior of the Torres Hybrid offers a modern and functional design. The centerpiece is two 12.3-inch displays, combined into one unit - for the digital dashboard and the multimedia system. This configuration, together with the floating center console, is reminiscent of the interior of the Kia EV6. The new software package supports over-the-air updates and improved connectivity, although the infotainment system sometimes takes longer to connect to a smartphone, and the screens are dim in strong sunlight. Otherwise, the graphics are great and resemble those of the new BMWs.
A big minus for us is the lack of physical buttons. All functions are controlled by the touchscreen, which can be distracting while driving. On the other hand, the steering wheel has 12 buttons, which provides many options for controlling the main functions and somewhat compensates for this drawback, which is also inherent in many models of other brands.
The materials are of good quality, and the tested model was equipped with leather upholstery - a rare extra in this price class. The seats are comfortable and provide a high seating position. The front ones are heated and cooled, and the rear outer seats are also heated. The interior also includes built-in blinds for the rear windows, USB-C ports and a 15-watt wireless phone charger. Three interior color schemes are available - black, gray or brown.
Engine and driving characteristics
For its propulsion, the KGM Torres Hybrid uses a hybrid system developed jointly with the Chinese company BYD. It consists of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo gasoline engine and an electric motor. The system power is 150 kW (204 hp), and the system torque reaches 300 Nm. This hybrid powertrain has a design similar to that of the Mitsubishi Outlander, and operates without a traditional gearbox, using a fixed gear, called by KGM e-DHT. This allows the car to travel entirely on electricity up to 100 km/h.
The main advantage of this hybrid powertrain is that when driving in city conditions or with normal acceleration on the highway, the gasoline engine operates almost silently, creating the feeling of driving an all-electric car. The system also has disadvantages, of course, the most noticeable of which is that during sharp acceleration, the revs increase significantly, which is typical of hybrid systems, but without the dynamics of a car with a standard automatic transmission.
Otherwise, the average fuel consumption shown by the on-board computer was 5.7 l/100 km, which is a serious plus and a significant reduction compared to the gasoline version. The chassis is set to be stiffer, which prevents the tall car from leaning in corners, but it can be felt as a slight inconvenience on uneven surfaces.
The steering wheel paddles allow you to adjust the level of energy regeneration, which is an extremely convenient feature borrowed from electric cars. The towing capacity of 1300 kg is sufficient for a relatively large caravan, which is another plus. Unlike the all-gasoline version, this one does not have 4x4 drive and is only available with front-wheel drive.
Conclusion and price
With a starting price of under 70,000 BGN including VAT, the KGM Torres Hybrid is positioned in our country in a fierce segment where competition is huge. However, it offers rich equipment, modern design and efficient hybrid technology, at a fairly attractive price, which makes it one of the best offers on the Bulgarian market for new cars.
Pros: Distinctive, robust appearance, rich equipment (leather, heated and ventilated seats), an efficient hybrid system that creates the feeling of an electric car, good towing capacity
Cons: Still not very well-known brand on the market, unintuitive air conditioning control via the touch screen, slightly stiffer suspension, pale display in strong sunlight.
Overall, the crossover is aimed at buyers looking for maximum value for their money. Although the KGM Torres Hybrid is still a “big unknown“ on the market, it is a serious and competitive product. The brand has the ambition to grow and offer more new models, and Torres is a strong bid for their success.
With it, KGM demonstrates that it can offer a lot for its price and stand up to already established players. Whether it will be able to win the trust of customers remains to be seen, but this car definitely deserves attention.