KGM

Torres/Torres EVX

The Torres is a five-door SUV that is available with a choice of petrol or electric powertrains. It’s the first all-new vehicle to be launched by KGM (formerly SsangYong) and is packed with kit as standard, making it excellent value for money.

Test Drive

KGM Torres EVX – First Drive (2024)

The five-door Torres marks the first fully-fledged model from KGM, the company formerly known as SsangYong.

Available in both petrol and all-electric versions, the stylish SUV is making a bold entrance into the market, setting its sights on high-end competitors. With the electric Torres EVX starting just shy of £40k, it’s clear that KGM is no longer the budget brand it once was. Instead, the company is now offering a fully loaded vehicle, packed with premium features as standard, making it a compelling choice.

True to SsangYong’s tradition, KGM has packed its vehicles with top-tier features as standard, ensuring there are no unpleasant surprises at the checkout. The Torres EVX is available in two trims, K30 and K40, both powered by a 73.4kWh battery sourced from leading battery manufacturer BYD. With a combined driving range of 287 miles per charge (up to 394 miles in urban areas, where regenerative braking is more effective), the Torres EVX is geared for long-distance travel.

Prices for the petrol version start at £31,995 for the base K30, rising to £36,995 for the all-wheel-drive K40. The Torres EVX starts at £39,995 for the K30 and £41,995 for the K40, the latter being the model we tested.

The vehicle has a strong road presence featuring the company’s new ‘Powered by Toughness’ design philosophy, which is immediately evident from its bold stance.

The ‘X’ in EVX stands for “extreme,” and the vehicle’s looks certainly fit the bill thanks to a futuristic front-end design with sweeping light clusters, dot-shaped daytime running lights, blacked-out rear windows, plus black wheel arches and roof rails. The 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels perfectly complete the look.

Inside, the design is minimalist yet feature-rich. A pair of 12.3-inch screens seamlessly merge into a single display that serves as the car’s central control hub. The left screen offers access to functions such as navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker sound system, climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, plus safety features. The right screen provides key driving information like speed, battery levels, along with driving range.

Though the infotainment system is intuitive, some of the controls are a bit fiddly or poorly positioned making them hard to reach. But once you’ve mastered the layout, the cabin is a comfortable place to be, with premium leather seats that can be heated and ventilated, along with a heated steering wheel for added comfort.

So, the all-new Torres looks the part, but how does it fare when put through its paces? The answer is rather well.

With 207PS and 339Nm of torque, it has a 0-62mph sprint time of 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 109mph. Despite weighing just shy of two tonnes, the front-wheel drive Torres EVX feels nimble and balanced on the road. On winding country lanes, it handles with surprising agility, and the grip is solid, with minimal body roll.

On faster motorways, the ride remains stable, although wind noise becomes noticeable at higher speeds and, when cruising at 70mph, you’ll also notice a quicker drop in range, but this is typical for electric vehicles.

The single-speed transmission ensures smooth, responsive acceleration, while the regenerative braking (adjustable via paddles on the steering wheel) helps the vehicle recoup energy when slowing down.

Drive modes called Eco, Comfort and Sport are accessed via the touchscreen and these alter the throttle response, suspension, along with the steering feel. Refinement is a strong area too, with an effective suspension system that smooths out bumps, and the cabin remains quiet thanks to excellent sound insulation.

With an elevated driving position, the Torres EVX offers great all-round visibility. And, for added fun, when starting or powering down, it plays a short sound sequence that almost resembles the theme to a soap opera!

The vehicle also covers practicality bases well with plenty of room for passengers and their luggage. The cabin can comfortably accommodate five adults, with ample legroom both in the front and rear. The rear seats feature Isofix points for child seats, and rear window blinds help keep passengers comfortable during longer trips. A handy ‘Rear Seats Sleepers’ button mutes the back speakers for an even quieter experience.

The boot, accessed via a wide-opening powered tailgate, offers 703 litres of space, which can be expanded to 1,662 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped down. There’s also an underfloor compartment for additional storage and side bins to keep smaller items secure.

Other useful storage compartments include a large illuminated glovebox, a huge central cubby beneath the front armrest, door bins that can hold 1.5-litre drinks bottles, front and rear cup holders, a wireless charging pad, coat or backpack hooks and plenty of USB-C ports to keep devices powered.

And with escapes to the country in mind, the Torres EVX can tow a caravan or braked trailer weighing up to 1.5 tonnes.

When it comes to charging, the 73.4kWh battery can be boosted from 20 to 80 per cent in just 37 minutes using a 100kW rapid charger, or in approximately nine hours via an 11kW home wallbox.

The Torres comes with an attractive warranty package stretching seven-years or 90,000 miles, while the battery has 10-year or 620,000-mile cover (roughly one million km).

All in all, the KGM Torres EVX is an impressive debut for the newly rebranded company. It’s bold, well-equipped, and showcases the brand’s commitment to its ‘Powered by Toughness’ philosophy. Though it faces stiff competition from established names in the industry, its fresh design, spacious cabin, and solid performance certainly make it a worth exploring further.