[Driven] Musso Rivals SUVs, Aims to Reign as the King of Pickups

Revival After 26 Years... Transformed Into a Sports Utility Truck (SUT)
Gasoline or Diesel Options Available... Attractive Pricing Starting From 29.99 Million Won

The Musso has returned after 26 years. The Musso, which once led the glory days of SsangYong Motor, has now been reborn as KG Mobility (KGM)'s new Sports Utility Truck (SUT). Last year, KGM implemented a strategy to rebrand its pickup truck lineup under the "Musso" name. The newly unveiled Musso is the flagship vehicle that symbolizes the pickup brand. The symbolic significance is evident even in its name. On February 10, I had the opportunity to experience both the gasoline and diesel versions of the Musso while driving through Seoul and Paju.

Musso. KGM

Musso. KGM

The Musso embodies an authentic off-road style. Its bold, straight-edged design delivers a powerful impression from first glance. In terms of size, it measures 5,460mm in length, 1,950mm in width, and 1,875mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,210mm for the long deck version.

Compared to its rival, the Kia Tasman pickup truck, the Musso is 50mm longer, 20mm wider, and 5mm taller, but its wheelbase is 60mm shorter. However, the bed length is 1,610mm (long deck), which is 98mm longer and 30mm higher at 570mm than the Tasman. Climbing up the side step and into the driver's seat, the height is immediately noticeable.

The interior offers a true SUV-like feel. The 12.3-inch digital cluster in front of the steering wheel and the KGM Link navigation display were both conveniently accessible, and the electronic gear selector and parking brake made the center console area highly practical.

Musso driver's seat. KGM

Musso. KGM

The use of suede material on the front panel, along with the addition of a brown (Nappa leather) option to the existing black (synthetic or Nappa leather) seat upholstery, further enhanced the sense of luxury.

To demonstrate true truck performance, the Musso is offered with two powertrains: a gasoline (2.0 turbo engine) model and an added diesel (2.2 LET engine) model. I first tested the diesel version.

Upon starting the engine, the characteristic noise and vibration were noticeable, but it was clear that efforts had been made to minimize their intrusion into the cabin. Once out of the city and accelerating up to 100 km/h, some noise and vibration were still present.

After driving approximately 60 km one way over the course of about an hour, I found the diesel model to be more fatiguing than the gasoline version, seemingly due to the inherent limitations in completely eliminating noise and vibration. While the acceleration at high speeds was not particularly thrilling, the vehicle maintained speed stably, which was sufficient for most needs. It also made me want to try it off-road instead.

The Musso is equipped with a Locking Differential, which helps ensure stable escape by transferring power to the opposite wheel when a wheel slips or lifts off the ground during rough terrain driving.

Musso interior. KGM

Musso interior. KGM

Musso Deck. KGM

Compared to models without this feature, the Musso delivers approximately 5.6 times better climbing performance and about four times better towing performance. Its towing capacity is up to 3 tons. It is also equipped with Trailer Sway Control, a function that helps stabilize driving by minimizing left and right swaying when towing a trailer.

On the return trip, I drove the gasoline model, which delivered driving performance and quietness on par with many SUVs. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and an intelligent speed warning feature that recognizes road speed limit signs through a front camera module also made driving easier.

The true value of a pickup truck lies in its deck. The long deck version offers a cargo capacity of 1,262 liters (VDA standard). With the power leaf suspension, it can carry up to 700kg, and with the 5-link suspension, up to 500kg. In addition, features such as an LED deck lamp and a corner step for easier access significantly enhance deck usability.

Additional attractive features include a digital key function and premium convenience options such as the Clear Sight Ground View, which allows monitoring of the vehicle's underside during off-road driving, as well as a 3D Around View Monitoring System.

Above all, price is a key strength. The gasoline model starts at 29.9 million won (2WD, standard deck), and the diesel model starts at 31.7 million won. For drivers seeking an off-road or leisure vehicle, or those who require high practicality in daily life, the Korean-style authentic pickup Musso is an unbeatable answer.

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