First Drive 2025 SsangYong Torres Ultimate is Surprisingly Luxe

Meet the 2025 SsangYong Torres Ultimate—a mid-size SUV with the heart of a bush basher, the look of a concept car, and the price tag of a second-hand RAV4. But don’t let the budget badge fool you—this top-spec Torres is here to ruffle feathers and turn heads, and on first drive, we’re kind of obsessed.

Now going by the name KGM (Korea’s Got Moxie? Probably not, but it fits), this is SsangYong’s boldest effort yet. The Torres Ultimate AWD rolls out at $47,000 drive-away, and for that you get rugged looks, a proper AWD system with a lockable centre diff, and a surprisingly plush cabin that had even Nico raising an eyebrow. “It’s like someone mashed a Defender with a Lexus,” he said, running his fingers along the copper-accented dash like it was an Italian runway model.

Let’s start with the look. The Torres is unapologetically chunky. Think squared-off wheel arches, a bluff front end with vertical DRLs, and more hard lines than a Berghain toilet. In Ultimate trim, you get 20-inch wheels, privacy glass, and a metallic finish that looks straight out of the “tactical urban explorer” playbook. It’s big too—longer than a Tucson and with the sort of road presence that makes Mazda CX-5s slink away at traffic lights.

Inside, the cabin is the real surprise. Twin 12.3-inch screens stretch across the dash like something up-, and while there’s no physical HVAC knobs (boo!), the touch sliders are intuitive enough. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wired for now, but future updates may change that. The seats are leather (synthetic  in lower models) and are soft and ventilated, with memory settings, heating, and even lumbar adjust for the driver. Add a panoramic sunroof, power tailgate, and a 360° camera, and you’re feeling very premium for under 50 grand. It utterly slays the opposition.

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ABOVE: KGM Ssangyong Torres

Space is vast. Up front, there’s a raised floating console with storage beneath (Nico’s “second phone” fits nicely), and out back, Max was genuinely impressed. “I could get three of my brothers in here with room for their crap,” he said, tossing a backpack into the 703L boot like it owed him money. Fold the second row down, and you get over 1,500L—enough for Charlie’s antique finds, Ethan’s cast-iron frypan, and Travis’s ego.

The 1.5L turbo petrol engine with 120kW and 280Nm isn’t going to snap necks, but it’s paired to a 6-speed Aisin auto and AWD system with a lockable diff. On-road, it’s composed and quiet. Off-road? We gave it a mild challenge on a steep gravel track, and it tackled it with the kind of calm confidence that makes you question how many soft-roaders are just bluffing. Ride comfort was surprisingly plush over bumps, and the cabin stayed hushed, even on coarse Aussie tarmac.

Fuel use is quoted at 7.9L/100km (AWD), and we hovered around 8.2 on our mixed test. Acceptable, if not dazzling—but remember, this thing has the drag coefficient of a brick in hiking boots.

The tech and safety suite is impressive: adaptive cruise, lane centring, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention warning, and 8 airbags. There’s also a semi-autonomous parking function, which Alan tested, though he still prefers to do it “the old-fashioned way—with drama and a hand on the headrest.”

So, is the 2025 Torres Ultimate a game changer? Maybe. It’s not perfect—the drivetrain lacks a bit of sparkle, and there’s no hybrid yet—but as a package? It’s damn compelling.

It feels bigger than the Forester, nicer inside than the Rav4, cheaper than the Sportage, and the looks have cracked the code, straddling the fine line between weird and boring. That roofline has a touch oh hearse about it, but it is kinda kooky and I like it. Similarly, the rear hatch has a handle like a hinged door and is strange but fun.

The lack of wireless CarPlay drove me utterly nuts but that’s something we can fix with a dongle because nothing irritates more than a text coming in and you having to scream at your phone in the console. You forgot to hook it up and can’t touch it on the road.

The 6-speed auto is lacking a few cogs but for value, Torres cannot be beat.

It’s different, confident, and weirdly charming. Like Laya de Campe showing up to a B&S ball in full sequins and army boots—unexpected, fabulous, and ready for anything.

SAFETY

Intelligent technology, the very latest active and passive safety systems.

• AEBS – Autonomous Emergency Braking
• LKA – Lane Keeping Assist
• LDW – Lane Departure Warning
• FCW – Forward Collision Warning
• FVSA – Front Vehicle Start Alert
• HBA – High Beam Assist
• SDA – Safety Distance Alert
• DAA – Driver Attention Alert
• ESC – Electronic Stability Control
• ABS – Anti-Lock Braking System
• BAS – Brake Assist System
• ESS – Emergency Stop Signal
• MCB – Multi-Collision Braking
• TSA – Trailer Stability Assist
• Front and rear parking sensors

PERFORMANCE

• 5L direct injection turbo-charged petrol engine
• 120kW/280Nm of torque
• Idle Stop and Go (ISG) system
• Euro 6 emissions standard.
• All Wheel Drive (AWD) system in the top trim Ultimate
• ‘AWD Lock’ mode
• wading depth of up to 300mm.

MODEL LINE-UP – Highlights

ELX

• 1.5 litre turbo charged petrol engine with Idle Stop Go (ISG)
• Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission
• Front wheel drive
• 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels
• Electric power steering with Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• 8 Airbags
• Autonomous Emergency Braking System (AEBS)
• Panoramic dual 12.3-inch digital display screens
• Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™
• Dual-zone climate control
• LED headlights
• LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
• HD rearview camera
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Heated, power-adjustable and folding door mirrors with LED indicators
• Privacy glass
• Electric park brake with auto-hold

Adventure

ELX highlights with:

• Power tailgate with Smart opening and closing
• Leather look seats
• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• LED front fog lights
• Blind Spot Warning (BSW)
• Rear Cross Traffic Warning (RCTW)
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Ultimate

Adventure highlights with:

• All Wheel Drive (AWD)
• 20-inch diamond cut alloy wheels
• 360° camera
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Power sunroof
• Leather seats with 8-way power-adjustable front seats and power driver’s lumbar
• Heated rear outer seats
• Ventilated front seats
• Front seats with integrated headrest hangers

PRICING (Recommended drive away)

• Torres ELX – $38,000
• Torres Adventure – $43,000
• Torres Ultimate – $47,000

EXTERIOR COLOURS

• Grand White – WAA
• Space Black* – LAK
• Iron Metal* – ADE
• Dandy Blue* – BAS
• Forest Green* – GAO

*Metallic paint – $595

INTERIOR COLOURS

• LBH – Charcoal Black with Copper-effect trim highlights

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