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The mid-size family SUV segment is one of the most crowded – and popular – places in the Australian automotive landscape.
Almost every automaker has a soft-roader on offer, from the Japanese brands that pioneered the segment more than 30 years ago to the premium car brands and a range of new budget Chinese entrants following in their footsteps.
But now there is a newcomer who stands out from the crowd – this KGM Torres It features a bold and unique exterior design, a spacious interior and now the availability of a fuel-efficient gasoline-electric powertrain.
Here are seven things we like about the KGM Torres Hybrid.
Price
The KGM Torres is available with gasoline, hybrid and all-electric powertrains, starting at just $36,000 per car for the entry-level ELX variant and up to $58,000 per car for the battery-powered EVX flagship.
The latest additions are two hybrid variants we’re focusing on here, the K30 and K40, priced at $45,000 and $48,000 respectively, including all on-road tolls and fees.
That puts them right in the middle of one of the most competitive and saturated segments of the Australian automotive market, alongside other mid-size hybrid SUVs such as the best-selling Toyota RAV4 (from $45,990 before on-road costs) and mainstream rivals such as the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid (from $42,850 plus on-road costs), the Kia Sportage Hybrid (from $46,450 plus ORCs) and the Subaru New generation Forester Hybrid (from $46,490 plus ORCs).
It also competes against an ever-growing number of crossover SUVs from budget brands, such as the GWM Haval H6 (from $40,990 drive), the MG HS Hybrid+ (from $42,990 drive) and the Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV (from $39,990 drive).
Robust appearance and strong quality
While the KGM nameplate is just as fresh as many of these Chinese brands, it is simply an evolution of the brand that has been known for decades as SsangYong – the other South Korean automaker that has been making cars for more than 70 years.
And that brings a level of build quality, reliability and trust that newer competitors have yet to match.
Furthermore, the Torres looks cool with its tough, modern and completely unique exterior design, highlighted by the futuristic style of its front end, the distinctive C-pillars that look like they support the floating roof like a cantilever, and the equally edgy rear with its stylized half tire carrier that looks like a shield.
All comfort
And building on the Torres’ excellent value for money, the K30 comes with a long list of standard equipment including:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights and taillights
- Keyless entry with push button start
- Fabric seat cover
- Dual zone climate control
- Ambient interior lighting
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Additionally, the K40 offers additional luxuries and amenities that are worth the $3,000 extra, including:
- Larger 20-inch alloy wheels
- Faux leather seat cover
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Electrically operated and contactless tailgate
- Integrated sun blinds for the rear window
Spacious interior
One of the most important features for growing families is the space, which Torres offers in abundance.
The front seats enjoy comfortable and supportive seating with plenty of adjustment options and an impressive view of the road ahead.
The overall design of the dashboard is both refined and minimalist with a slight asymmetry towards the driver, yet thoroughly modern as the two digital displays float in front of a horizontal section that includes the external vents at each end.
The high-mounted center console between the seats provides easy access to storage compartments and the small gear selector, with additional space for larger items underneath and in the large compartment at the bottom of the dashboard.
Backseat passengers have plenty of space with excellent headroom and legroom, as well as rear air vents, power outlets and a fold-down armrest.
Aside from the rear seats, the Torres offers one of the most spacious load spaces in the segment, with a claimed 703 liters of boot capacity.
More kilometers with hybrid
At the other end of the car, under the hood, the KGM Torres Hybrid models are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine mated to an electric motor housed in the dedicated hybrid transmission and powered by a 1.8 kWh battery pack.
The net result is a combined maximum power of 150kW on the front axle, which is comparable to other hybrid rivals such as the RAV4, Tucson and Forester.
But that’s only half the story, because the Torres’ hybrid system is slightly different from other mainstream alternatives in that it prioritizes the electric motor in city driving and uses the gasoline engine as a generator to charge the battery. At higher speeds or strong acceleration, both power sources are used for maximum performance.
The KGM Torres has a claimed average fuel consumption of 5.6L/100km and a 50L fuel tank, meaning it has a theoretical range of almost 1000km on a single tank.
Security
Particularly important for families, the KGM Torres is equipped with a comprehensive suite of state-of-the-art safety systems and autonomous driver assistance systems, including:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Lane keeping assistant
- Adaptive cruise control
- Monitoring driver attention
- Multi-collision braking
- Parking sensors front and rear
- Parking indicator to the rear
- Automatic headlights
- Windshield wipers with rain sensors
- Eight airbags
In addition to the additional amenities, the higher-spec K40 also offers blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and tire pressure monitoring. and lane change collision warning.
Property
Like all KGM models, the Torres is backed by a factory seven-year, unlimited mileage warranty with roadside assistance and a transparent service pricing menu.
The Torres Hybrid models require servicing every 12 months or 10,000km, which costs an average of $394 per year.
MORE: Discover the KGM Torres showroom
