Actyon packed
James Batchelor checks out a head-turning mid-size SUV from KGM Motors – formerly known as SsangYong
The KGM Actyon is part of a bold new start for the brand formerly known as SsangYong. The 70-year-old South Korean carmaker has built up a strong following in the UK for its rugged, no-nonsense cars, particularly in the specialist vehicle and caravan markets. The Actyon is ushering in a new era of design and panache – but is this newly found swagger just skin deep? We got behind the wheel of the Actyon to find out.
Comfort – 62%
Gallery
The Actyon is one of a trio of new KGM models to arrive over the past 12 months, marking a definite turning point for the carmaker. Its future line-up, still with its characteristic focus on ruggedness and off-roading abilities, looks exciting. However, in the here and now, it’s cars like the Actyon that are tasked with the brand-building.
The Actyon is being hurled into the mid-size SUV segment that’s fit to bursting with competent cars, but, let’s face it, ones that favour identikit design. That’s why KGM has given its design team the task of coming up with something that stands out.
The Actyon has a coupe-SUV design to differentiate it from its newly-introduced sister, the more upright Torres. From the wide stance and the LED light bar at the front that references the four trigrams in the South Korean flag, to the almost Range Rover-like rear-end, the car has an upmarket appearance that helpfully makes it look different from the mid-size SUV norm.
Matching its upmarket look is the spec list. It only comes in range-topping K50 trim, and KGM has gone to town in terms of equipment. As standard, it gets a black leather and suede interior, 20in diamond-cut alloys, heated and cooling front seats that are also electrically adjustable, a chunky, squared-off, heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, a 360˚ parking camera, and an electric tailgate. The only option is metallic paint.
Being sisters, the Torres and Actyon share the same basic interior design, but the Actyon has an extra layer of luxury. The red and black trimmed seats and red seat belts lift what could otherwise have been a slightly dour cabin, while the wood effect that runs across the dashboard looks good. In fact, the whole interior is nicely trimmed and is easily on par with rivals.
The Actyon gets a pair of displays housed in one screen that stretches across the fascia. The touchscreen has all the basics and handily features TomTom sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, but the system isn’t the quickest to respond. Also, most of the car’s functions are carried out through the screen – there are no buttons on the fascia or centre console – which therefore involves a lot of prodding around for the most basic of tasks.
While the on-board tech might be a little disappointing, the Actyon more than makes up for it when it comes to interior space. Up front the seats are large and supportive, while the ‘floating’ centre console has loads of storage space. Two six-footers will be very comfortable in the back seats as there’s tons of legroom, and headroom is excellent despite the Actyon’s sloping roofline.
There are some neat touches in the back, too – the front headrests can act as coat hangers or tablet holders, the rear doors open wide allowing easy fitment of child seats, and the rear speakers can even be switched off if passengers here want to have a nap. Meanwhile, the boot is enormous – at 668 litres it’s larger than pretty much anything else in the class, and when the rear seats are folded that swells to an equally impressive 1,568 litres. A little annoyingly, the rear seats can’t be flopped down with handles in the boot – instead, you have to open the rear doors to release the latches.
KGM offers two types of towbar – a fixed one for £539.69 and a detachable type for £654.74.
Driving – 65%
Matching the sole trim level is just one engine.
It’s a 1.5-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, and with 161bhp and 280Nm of torque it’s on par for the class, roughly matching the 1.5-litre TSI available in the Volkswagen Tiguan and SEAT Ateca, for example.
It’s a perfectly decent engine, providing enough mid-range punch on the motorway, and feels quicker than its official 0-62mph acceleration time of 10.6 seconds. The six-speed automatic gearbox is smooth enough and is the only transmission option – there’s no four-wheel drive version, either.
If you like your cars to have a sporty ride and handling set-up then the Actyon will please. The ride is pretty firm on faster roads, which translates into excellent body control, and the chassis feels agile and keen to turn into corners. Some drivers will find the unforgiving ride grating at times, although, happily, it softens up around town, the car making light work of speed humps.
The Actyon drives well, but we just wish the engine was more frugal. KGM claims combined fuel consumption of 33.1mpg, which is some way off the majority of other mid-size SUVs. The engine is at its most efficient when cruising on the motorway where high-30s is easily achievable; in mixed driving, though, high-20s is more likely. KGM is considering offering a hybrid in the Actyon in the near future, which would be very welcome.
Towing – 67%
Gallery
With a kerbweight of 1,580kg and a 1,500kg towing capacity, the Actyon is well-suited to many medium-sized caravans. We hooked up to a Bailey Pegasus Modena (MRO 1,126kg / MTPLM 1,275kg) and the Actyon’s stiff suspension kept the van in check – there was minimal sway, and even crosswinds and HGV buffeting had little effect on its composure. But, when towing, the firm suspension set-up felt even stiffer, giving the Actyon a tendency to thump into even the smallest of potholes.
Up steeper hills, the 1.5-litre engine can sound strained, but you can apportion the blame to the unit’s capacity – the same-sized engine in a Volkswagen Tiguan would be just as audible.
At least the chunky 280Nm of torque gives some muscle when towing.
Verdict – 65%
The KGM Actyon is a refreshingly different mid-sized SUV. It’s a handsome, head-turning SUV that is well finished and equipped, and is hugely spacious and practical inside.
If you can live with it being a little thirstier than most of its rivals, and its firm ride, it’s worth considering.