2025 SsangYong Torres Ultimate – Weird Luxe for Less

From the outside
Who knew KGM—yes, formerly SsangYong—had this in them? The 2025 Torres Ultimate AWD is a $47,000 drive-away surprise package with the kind of confidence usually reserved for Euro SUVs twice the price. It’s bold, it’s brash, and it’s brimming with features. Honestly, we’re kind of gagging over it—in the best possible way.

On looks alone, the Torres is unapologetically chunky. From the bluff nose and vertical DRLs to its 20-inch alloys and tactical explorer stance, it’s like a concept sketch brought to life. Raffy said it looked like a Defender got lucky with a Tonka truck—and we can’t unsee it. There’s drama in the silhouette, with more angles than a Vogue cover shoot and a rear hatch that looks to open sideways like a stubborn closet door. Instead, it swings up at the touch of a button. Love that for it.

The Cabin:
Step inside and the surprises keep coming. Twin 12.3-inch screens stretch across the dash, the seats are ventilated and heated, the steering wheel warms your hands on chilly mornings, and there’s a 360° camera that makes parkers of all skill levels feel like heroes. Nico purred at the copper accents: “It’s giving Lexus on a K-pop budget.”

The chilled wind up the Khyber made my man bits jiggle with shrinkage on an industrial scale.

You get leather upholstery, electric seats with memory and lumbar, a panoramic sunroof, and enough space for Max to stash half the vineyard. The boot? 703L, and over 1,500L with the second row folded—perfect for Hunter’s art installations, Charlie’s furniture flips, and Travis’s weekend kit (read: esky, protein powder, and poor decisions).

Above: This Week’s VIDEO Review – Why KGM SsangYong Torres Ultimate is Great Value – REVIEW– Alan Zurvas

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ABOVE: KGM Ssangyong Torres Review

The Drive:
Under the bonnet is a 1.5L turbo-petrol with 120kW and 280Nm, mated to a smooth 6-speed Aisin auto and a clever AWD system with a lockable centre diff. Sure, it’s not blisteringly fast, but it’s calm, quiet, and competent both on-road and off. We gave it a light off-road shakedown on gravel and it took it in stride—poised, planted, and surprisingly plush.

Torres feels light and breezy with delicious steering.

Fuel use? We hovered around 10.2L/100km—decent considering it’s built like a luxury fridge with mountain-goat tendencies, but well above the promised result.

Tech & Safety:
It’s stacked: adaptive cruise, lane centring, blind-spot warning, driver attention alert, 8 airbags, and more acronyms than a tax return. Even Alan was impressed, though he grumbled about the semi-autonomous park assist: “I still prefer to reverse like a man—with flair and a three-point turn, and the occasional rimming.” Although the latter could possibly have been better worded, you get the point.

The only real whinge? Still no wireless CarPlay. You’ll be digging around for a cord like you’re looking for your dignity after Mardi Gras. But that’s nothing a dongle can’t fix.

NOTE:- Comments have reached us that owners have had software issues

Final Thoughts:
The Torres Ultimate is exactly what the SUV market needed—something weird, wonderful, and wallet-friendly. It’s not pretending to be a premium badge. Instead, it’s blazing its own trail with charisma, capability, and comfort in spades.

Sure, the 6-speed auto could use a couple more cogs, and a hybrid would be nice down the track, but for the money? Torres is the full package—with glitter and hiking boots. The EV is on its way and that should be a cracker.

It’s a bit Defender, a bit Lexus, a touch Tonka, and a whole lot of camp. Just like Laya de Campe crashing a 4WD meet in sequins and combat boots—it shouldn’t work, but somehow, it absolutely slays.

Verdict: Go on, be different. Be Torres.

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