[Test Drive Report] Reborn with an 8-speed transmission, the KGM New Torres Gasoline AWD T7

*This content was translated by AI.

Verdict

If you need a car but don't drive often, there is no better vehicle than this.

Good

- A purely domestic vehicle without Chinese technology or design

- Affordable, spacious, roomy, smooth, and drives well. It has virtually no drawbacks for a compact SUV.

Bad

- The KGM badge… What is pride?

- A timid design improvement that makes it hard to tell if this is a second facelift or a car bought two years ago

Competitor

- Kia Sportage: Offers more refined sensibilities and superior performance in mid-to-high speed ranges

- BYD Sealion 6 DM-i: A PHEV that is worth the price of just 5 million won

When it debuted as the SsangYong Torres in 2022, the industry predicted this vehicle would be a watershed moment determining SsangYong's fate. Lee Gang (SVP), who designed and planned the car at the time, introduced it as "a car that must succeed; failure is absolutely not an option." It was a vehicle filled with aspirations and future hopes.

Ultimately, the Torres succeeded. Automotive journalists showered it with praise, creating a foundation for recovery that even led to special overtime work to meet production volumes. The KGM New Torres Gasoline AWD T7 we test-drove this time is a second facelift model that reflects results from consumer preference surveys. The core changes include upgrading the existing 6-speed Aisin transmission to an 8-speed one and completely refreshing the interior and exterior. KG Mobility had originally planned to incorporate the 8th-speed transmission into the Torres in April 2024. This was during a direct conversation with the executive in charge of KG Mobility's technology development, yet for some reason, it was delayed by two years.

One might ask what big deal there is in changing only the transmission gear count, but changes to major automotive components can be so significant that they completely alter driving dynamics. Additionally, given the positive consumer response to the existing model's design, we refined the overall atmosphere to look more sophisticated with only minor improvements to the front and rear bumper details, infotainment system, shift lever, and design tweaks. As a result, it changed very little. The original model's design was so highly preferred that it was decided to keep it as is. However, the headlamps, which some said looked like they had "eye boogers" when snow fell, were changed to an integrated design. Furthermore, a new color called Plasma Shadow, which has high customer preference recently, was added. Including this, a total of six colors are offered.

Notably, the Terrain Mode, which embodies KGM's technological expertise, has also been newly added. The Sand mode enhances steering stability on unstable road surfaces such as sand and gravel, while the Mud mode supports driving on muddy or unpaved bumpy roads. The Snow & Gravel mode assists driving on low-friction surfaces like snowy roads. In total, seven driving modes are supported, including the existing driving modes.

In terms of infotainment, the next-generation integrated platform 'Athena 2.5' is equipped. Drivers can check drive and terrain mode information on a high-resolution screen centered on graphics. Wireless Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, and over-the-air (OTA) software updates are provided as standard features.

For safety specifications, ultra-high-strength and high-strength steel plates were used in 78% of the vehicle body. The system includes intelligent speed limit assistance, emergency braking assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, a 3D surround view monitoring system, and eight airbags including side and driver's knee airbags.

Regarding the powertrain, the KGM New Torres Gasoline AWD T7 is equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo T-GDI engine and an Aisin 8-speed automatic transmission. This combination delivers a maximum output of 170 horsepower, peak torque of 30.6 kg·m, and a combined fuel economy of 11.0 km/L. According to the company, improved transmission response and acceleration performance have enhanced driving quality in daily driving sections.

The test drive was conducted over segments covering urban areas, suburban national roads, highways, and off-road terrain. The total test drive distance was approximately 300 km, allowing ample time for a thorough evaluation. First, the seating comfort is excellent. The seat support was good, and with appropriate cushioning, it delivered a comfortable sensation. Especially thanks to the large glass area, the view is open, and there is no feeling of confinement even when looking around in all directions. In terms of SUV visibility, it reaches textbook-level standards.

The second-row space is also impeccable, and the trunk offers a base capacity of 703 liters, expandable to a maximum of 1,662 liters with the second row folded, fully securing cargo space for leisure activities. Additionally, the climate control buttons are arranged as physical buttons, which helped clear my frustration during the test drive amidst record-breaking heatwaves that broke the all-time highest temperature observation record in 122 years.

The engine sound is exactly what one would expect from a 1.5L gasoline engine. There is almost no residual vibration or noise to the point of feeling suspicious. The initial acceleration is slightly sluggish but acceptable, and the urban propulsion in low-speed sections is generally smooth. However, in this regard, the shifting process is smoother compared to the past 6-speed transmission, and the shift matching by speed feels far less unnatural. From 60 km/h onwards, and especially in the approximately 120 km/h range, the 8th-speed transmission demonstrates outstanding performance. The immediate shift responsiveness is excellent, and one can truly feel that the driving quality itself has become even smoother.

The KGM New Torres Gasoline AWD T7 is too small for a mid-size SUV but too large for a compact class. It will not be difficult to notice that its size was conceived with the Tucson and Sportage in mind. While it is a practical choice, the agility of handling is relatively unremarkable. However, this is something that requires close inspection to notice; in daily use, the advantages actually outweigh the disadvantages. In cornering sections, one had to reduce speed significantly to gain a bit more confidence. While braking performance did not provide great satisfaction, it is difficult to point out shortcomings in terms of vehicle class and usability. Instead, when driving straight on the highway, the refreshing feeling is unparalleled.

The KGM New Torres Gasoline AWD T7 incorporates seven newly added Terrain Modes: Sand, Mud, Snow & Gravel… At this level, one could say they were deliberately included. Considering camping, we filled the cargo area and ventured onto forest roads to challenge off-road terrain. We switched drive modes and fully utilized the AWD system. It demonstrated sufficient capability that it did not feel restrictive on most courses.

At the end of the overall test drive, the recorded fuel economy did not quite reach 10 km/L, settling in the high 9 km/L range. However, considering that we repeatedly performed bold acceleration and deceleration for the test drive, this is not a sad figure. It would be a lie to say there was no regret whatsoever, but the performance range expected from a vehicle in this class was sufficient. The KGM New Torres Gasoline AWD T7 would be recommended to various consumers, from single-person households to family SUV users.

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*This content was translated by AI.