[Taboleo] Torres, Successful in Early Box Office, Boosts Staying Power with Cost-Effectiveness and Design

Test Drive Review of SsangYong's New Car Torres Released After 4 Years

SsangYong Motor's compact SUV Torres

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Having a domestic finished car maker offers quite a substantial merit to consumers. When buying a car, you can choose specifications as you wish. It is also likely easier to obtain parts, resulting in lower maintenance costs. These are immediate, tangible advantages.

In countries like the United States or China, where the market is huge, foreign makers fiercely compete and sell cars made in local factories to consumers. However, if the market is not as large as in Korea, foreign makers have little reason to invest heavily. This means that cars made by Korean makers on Korean soil have many practical benefits beyond just emotional closeness.

SsangYong's compact SUV Torres. Various customization options are available.

As a potential consumer who might buy a car anytime, I was very interested in Ssangyong Motor’s new model Torres, released after four years. In the past, whenever the company faced difficulties, a new ‘youngest’ model came out and performed well, and this time too, there is hope that Torres will serve as a catalyst for business normalization. Pre-orders exceeded 12,000 units on the first day and surpassed 30,000 units within three weeks, far exceeding the company’s expectations.

▶ The exterior is impressive. How is it in reality?

It is natural that all internal departments participate in developing a new car, but the company does not hide that special emphasis was placed on design for this model. This is likely why a separate design philosophy briefing was held for the press before the new car launch and test drive events.

The first impression of the exterior is ‘big.’ Although the specifications classify it as a compact SUV, the design emphasizes sharp angles to give a rugged feel, making it appear larger. The Ssangyong design team leader said they carefully considered making the interior spacious enough for outdoor activities or car camping.

Ssangyong Motor's compact SUV Torres

There are points that emphasize it as a traditional SUV rather than the many recent urban-type SUVs. The front grille is inspired by ancient fortress shapes, and cladding guards are added to allow comfortable off-road driving. Both the front and rear lamps leave a memorable impression.

The front hood and rear feature garnish that looks like it could hold a spare tire, adding volume. Since Ssangyong is not a brand that releases new cars several times a year, choosing a design with a strong road presence for this long-awaited new model seems like a good strategy.

SsangYong Motors' compact SUV Torres interior

▶ I pay close attention to interior design. Is it good?

The driver’s instrument panel display feels somewhat small, but this contributes to a clean overall dashboard impression. All functions are integrated into a control panel, with no physical buttons except for the hazard lights. However, this may divide consumer preferences. The center display menu is simple and large for intuitive operation.

The second-row seats and cargo space are quite spacious. The rear seats fold flat. It is said that four golf bags and four Boston bags can be loaded, plus an additional travel suitcase. There are also small storage spaces throughout the driver’s seat, passenger seat, and rear seats, showing attention to detail. The materials and finishing are sufficiently satisfactory. According to recent conversations with Ssangyong employees, the company’s difficulties have ironically created a freer atmosphere to attempt bold designs.

SsangYong Motors' compact SUV Torres interior

SsangYong Motors' compact SUV Torres cargo space. Folding down the second-row seats creates a 1662ℓ space.

▶ How is the driving performance?

The 1.5L turbo engine paired with the Aisin 6-speed transmission is a well-verified combination. Acceleration at start-up was improved by 10%, and by about 5% in the actual driving range of 60 km/h to 120 km/h. The initial acceleration feels solid, but gaining additional speed after reaching a certain velocity is somewhat lacking. While this difference is hardly noticeable in city driving, it leaves something to be desired on highways.

The drive modes are somewhat divided, but there is little difference between each mode. The interior is quiet. Wind noise and road noise seem well controlled. Sound-absorbing and insulating materials are sufficiently applied to pillars, underbody, roof, and other parts of the vehicle. The feel is more firm than soft.

Ssangyong Motors Torres

▶ Above all, the price is attractive. Is it worth the price?

When buying a car, various factors such as design, performance, and purpose are considered. However, price likely holds the greatest weight in the final purchase decision for many. The base trim T5 of Torres is priced at 27.4 million KRW (based on reduced individual consumption tax), and T7 at 30.2 million KRW, which is clearly competitive compared to similar domestic cars. The test vehicle was a T7 with four-wheel drive, various safety driving assist features in the Tip Control Package, larger wheels and tires, leather seats, and other upgrades in the High Deluxe Package, effectively a full option, priced at 35.85 million KRW.

At the Ssangyong Motor developers' meeting held during the Torres new car launch event on the 5th, the heads of each department are answering questions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.