Remember SsangYong? Of course you don’t. Unless you were really into quirky SUVs with big grilles, it probably passed you by. But the Korean brand’s had a bit of a glow-up after being scooped up by industrial giant KG Group
, given a fresh name – KGM – and handed a proper second chance.
And this, the KGM Actyon, is the company’s first clean-sheet design under new ownership. It’s a mid-sized SUV that looks like it’s been spending time on Pinterest boards marked “stylish coupé-SUVs with a bit of attitude and the back end of a Range Rover”.
To give credit where it’s due, the Actyon is a massive improvement on what came before. But is that enough to make you pick one over the usual suspects like the Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai or Ford Kuga?
Let’s take a closer look.
Lights: First impressions
This isn’t KGM’s first SUV since the reboot – that was the Torres – but the Actyon is the first car that properly reflects the company’s new ambitions. Think of it as the brand’s difficult second album. The one that’s supposed to prove they’ve found their sound.
At first glance, it’s a bit of a looker. There’s a bold front grille with narrow lights that supposedly nod to the Korean flag, and the whole silhouette leans into the now-familiar coupé-SUV shape.
There are even chunky grab handles on the bonnet. They’re plastic and wobble a little, so you won’t be using them to winch your SUV through the Darian Gap, or even just strapping some traction boards, but they’ll remind you that the Actyon’s meant to be rugged every time you look at it.
Around the back, the rear lights and tailgate treatment have a hint of Range Rover Velar, which is no bad thing if you’re trying to stand out in a crowded car park.
It’s a big thing, too. It’s longer than a Kia Sportage and roomier than a Nissan Qashqai. And KGM’s gone all-in on practicality; you get 668 litres of boot space (77 litres more than the Kia and a massive 164 litres larger than the Nissan), acres of rear legroom, reclining heated back seats, and clever touches like built-in sunblinds and USB-C ports for back seat passengers. There’s even a button to switch off the rear speakers if you’ve got little ones napping. Nice.
It’s all wrapped up in a cabin that’s actually quite nice. Not perfect, but certainly more ambitious than anything that came from the SsangYong years.
There’s a pair of 12.3-inch screens, a fancy centre console with a crystal-effect gear selector, and a wide, wood-effect shelf across the dash that doubles as a handy resting place for your hand while poking the touchscreen. The leather is plush enough, there’s red stitching and accents to keep things sporty, and KGM’s new steering wheel design even manages to feel a bit special.
It’s not quite a premium experience, though. A lot of the plastic around the car feels a bit cheap, and it gets worse the lower you go. There’s too much reliance on the touchscreen for everyday functions as well, with even the demister buried in a submenu. That’s asking for fogged-up frustration in a cold snap. The screen itself can also be laggy, adding to the pain, and the system takes a bit of getting used to.
Still, it’s comfortable, spacious, and packed with standard kit. In fact, KGM’s offering just one spec – the K50, which is a range-topper on other models – and it’s loaded. You get 20-inch alloys, heated and cooled seats, a 360-degree camera, wireless charging, adaptive cruise control, and a powered tailgate with a hands-free opening trick. About the only option you can add is metallic paint, which costs £750.
Camera: On the road
Right, the drive. Let’s not sugarcoat it: This is the Actyon’s weak spot.
Power comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine – the same one you’ll find in the Torres – producing 163hp and 280Nm of torque. It’s paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox, and while the figures sound okay on paper, the experience doesn’t deliver.
There’s enough grunt to get up to speed (0–62mph takes a shade under 11 seconds), but the gearbox can be dim-witted, especially at low speeds. It’ll hang onto gears too long or suddenly drop a cog when all you wanted was a gentle nudge of acceleration. You can cruise happily once you’re up and running, but sudden moves, like pulling out onto a roundabout, can be tricky when you don’t know whether the car will surge forward or hesitantly take its time.
Get it rolling, and the steering is light but a little vague, the chassis isn’t eager to corner, and while it rides a bit better than the Torres, it’s still too firm for everyday British roads. You’ll feel every ripple and bump, especially on country routes or around town. It settles a bit at motorway speeds, and it’s impressively quiet thanks to laminated glass, extra sound-deadening and clever tyres. But on uneven surfaces, it fidgets too much to be truly comfortable.
It’s not awful, but it only just reaches acceptable standards.
And then there’s the fuel economy. Officially, the Actyon claims 33.1mpg, which is… not great. But in the real world? Think high 20s at best. The on-board computer showed 28mpg after I handed the keys back, and some others with heavier right feet reported figures much lower than that. That’s a big problem when rivals are pushing 40mpg with ease. Over a few years, that’ll cost you.
It’s not even that cheap, thanks to the government’s recent tax hike. It’s all rolled into the £38,469 price tag, but £3,300 of that is vehicle excise duty and £5,882 is VAT. The top-of-the-range Kia Sportage is just £1,000 more expensive, but works out cheaper on monthly payments.
KGM Actyon: Should you buy one?
There’s no doubt the KGM Actyon is a massive leap forward for the brand. Compared with what came before – cars like the Tivoli and Rexton – it’s practically space-age. The styling’s bold, the interior’s roomy, the tech list is generous, and there’s a genuine feeling that KGM is finally taking things seriously.
But judged against its rivals, the Actyon just about scrapes into average territory. The ride is too firm, the gearbox is frustrating, and the real-world fuel economy is poor. It looks good and feels well-equipped, but the overall experience falls short of the best in class.
And that’s the crux of it. The Actyon feels like KGM trying to catch up, rather than lead. It’s an honest, appealing effort, but unless you’re really swayed by the styling or you want to stand out from the Sportage crowd, it’s hard to make a strong case for it over more polished alternatives.
Model tested: KGM Actyon K50
Price: £36,995
Average Joes rating: ★★☆☆☆
He is the founder of Huff Media, publisher of Professional Pickup, Professional Van, Average Janes, Average Joes, and CALIBRE. His work focuses primarily on light commercial vehicles, pickups, and real-world vehicle use, with much of his time spent on manufacturer launches, industry events, and long-term vehicle testing.
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