The SsangYong Musso has been a shock success story for the Korean model in 2023, with document gross sales and a revamped mannequin vary positive to maintain the momentum going.
That is the newly added Journey mannequin within the line-up, which splits the distinction between the entry-level work-focused ELX and the extra premium-priced and extremely specified Final mannequin.
The Journey seems to be a bit of completely different to the opposite grades, with black wheels setting it aside, nevertheless it doesn’t get the identical stage of overhaul for adventurous driving that you simply see in, say, a GWM XSR Ute.
However it’s nonetheless a gorgeous factor based mostly on the worth and possession promise; though, there are some probably showstopping shortcomings that might rule it out for you – learn on for extra.
How does the Ssangyong Musso XLV fare vs its rivals?
View an in depth breakdown of the Ssangyong Musso XLV towards equally sized autos.
SsangYong
Musso XLV
How a lot does the Ssangyong Musso XLV value?
The up to date Musso vary is a bit pricier due to upgraded expertise on supply. On check we’ve the brand new Journey XLV, which is priced from $44,000 drive-away. See under for a full pricing breakdown for the up to date vary.
What’s the distinction is between the usual Musso and the XLV? It’s short-wheelbase versus long-wheelbase, with the XLV scoring a stretched chassis and an extended tub, however the cabin is similar dimension.
For context, the pricing of the Musso is increased than the final model ($1210-$1910 relying on variant), and it’s a disgrace that the Musso brakes the $40,000 barrier as its place to begin. That’s partly as a result of the model has dumped the handbook gearbox possibility which was beforehand provided within the base ELX. The Musso additionally provides a bit extra gear now although, which is detailed additional down.
Nevertheless, it isn’t as properly outfitted or as properly priced as the worth king within the funds ute section, the GWM Ute. These kick off from simply $35,990 drive-away for the bottom mannequin dual-cab 2WD computerized. GWM additionally provides the selection of a pick-up or cab-chassis physique fashion now, too. The 4WD variations begin from $42,490 D/A.
The LDV T60 Max is the opposite funds ute you may be contemplating, and costs for ABN holders are fairly sharp, ranging from $34,990 drive-away for the bottom mannequin dual-cab 4WD handbook ute.
2024 SsangYong Musso pricing:
- SsangYong Musso ELX: $40,000
- SsangYong Musso ELX XLV: $41,500
- SsangYong Musso Journey: $42,500
- SsangYong Musso Journey XLV: $44,000
- SsangYong Musso Final: $45,000
- SsangYong Musso Final: $46,500
Costs are drive-away
What’s the Ssangyong Musso XLV like on the within?
When you’re upgrading from the earlier mannequin, otherwise you sit between the 2 on the showroom, you’ll immediately see the distinction that the massive, twin 12.3-inch screens make to this cabin.
That’s to not say that the previous model was feeling all that outdated – however the brand new one, with its vibrant and crisp infotainment show sitting proudly atop the dashboard and a vibrant and info-rich display screen within the instrument binnacle – simply feels extra trendy and a bit extra upmarket.
The brand new media display screen isn’t with out its foibles, although. It’s fairly fundamental for those who ask something extra of it than to hearken to the radio or mirror your telephone, and I had quite a lot of points with Apple CarPlay whereas utilizing this automobile.
I switched cables just a few occasions till one lastly labored, and even then, you seemingly need to comply with a set sequence (begin the automotive THEN plug in your telephone – not the opposite means round) for it to work.
There’s additionally no wi-fi Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, there are not any quantity or tuning dials, and the glitchy nature of the show (it saved blanking out after I was utilizing a special cable, and the one means it could reactivate was by adjusting the air-con or reversing) makes me marvel if this wasn’t an improve only for the sake of an improve.
The digital driver’s show; nonetheless, is a revelation. It has vibrant and clear instrumentation, quite a lot of configurations and a depth of information obtainable by means of the buttons on the steering wheel… which can also be the place you’ll discover the one buttons for quantity and tuning for the media display screen, in case you’re questioning.
Now, the controls for the air-con are good. They’re not fairly haptic jobbies as you discover in another fashions, however nor are the temperature and fan controls really buttons. They’re touch-sensitive toggles, and there’s additionally a financial institution of buttons there to your fan velocity, air-con, mode and extra.
Weirdly although, in our check automotive there was one temperature readout displaying, for instance, 22.0 C, whereas the opposite was lacking the decimal level, that means it learn 220 C. Fortunately it wasn’t pumping out human-melting warmth!
Within the Journey and Final fashions you additionally get a set of controls down under to your seat heating and cooling up entrance, and people are actually nice options in a ute at this type of cash. You possibly can’t even get multi-stage seat heating in a Toyota HiLux, not to mention cooling!
Proper, so the practicalities of the cabin may very well be a bit of bit higher. Certain, you’ve acquired a pair of cupholders, a lined centre console bin, bottle holders within the doorways and a small unfastened merchandise cubby in entrance of the gear selector, however you don’t get a big console bin or storage spot to your telephone, and there’s no wi-fi telephone charging, both.
Again seat house is ample, however not as roomy as a GWM or LDV ute. With the motive force’s seat set to my place (at 182cm/6’0”) I had my knees hard-up towards the seatback, and it’s a tough plastic seatback, too.
That is good for folks as a result of it received’t be simply destroyed by children, however not so nice to have your knees jammed into. Foot room and head room are good although, and you’ll match three adults throughout the again.
However would you wish to? I imply, the fitment of a centre lap-only seatbelt is a giant security oversight in my view. A 3-point harness isn’t an excessive amount of to ask for, certainly?
There’s a lightweight on the finish of this tunnel; although, because the Musso is likely one of the solely utes (perhaps the one ute on this section) with three – sure, 3 – top-tether factors to connect child-seat straps too.
So, for those who have been to place a child seat within the center with simply the lap-strap belt in play, you’d nonetheless be capable of tether it in place utilizing the center top-tether. There are additionally ISOFIX factors within the window seats.
The facilities are good within the second row, with a pair of directional air-vents, map pockets on each seatbacks, and bottle holders in each doorways, plus – for those who don’t plan to make use of that center seat – you may fold down the armrest with cupholders as a substitute.
In contrast to another utes, there isn’t a flip-up seat base within the Musso, however there’s a intelligent pull-out drawer accent obtainable within the elements catalogue, if you wish to make it a bit extra sensible.
Talking of sensible, let’s speak about this tub – it’s the explanation you’d select the XLV mannequin over the usual model, since you get a heap extra tray house.
The usual tub is 1300mm lengthy, measures 1570mm large, 1140mm between the arches (that means it’s a contact too slender for the 1165mm Aussie sq. pallet), and has a extra chasmic depth than most utes at 570mm.
Selecting the XLV will imply the identical width, arch-gap and depth, however an enormous 1625mm of flooring tub size, that means for those who left the tailgate down you’d be capable of match two Euro pallets in, nose-to-tail, with ease.
One thing you actually ought to bear in mind with the Musso is that it’s a giant factor for those who purchase the XLV. It’s reasonably oddly proportioned, too, with a stumpy nostril, regular sized cabin and lengthy tray, that means you really want to control your mirrors in parking heaps and tight spots.
For reference, the common Musso is a comparatively tiny 5095mm lengthy with a 3100mm wheelbase. Selecting the Musso XLV means you’re coping with 5409mm of size and a 3310mm wheelbase.
Each are 1950mm large, however there’s additionally a bit extra peak for the XLV, at 1855mm versus the still-totally-carpark-suitable 1840mm SWB mannequin.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
The SsangYong Musso vary is obtainable with one powertrain, however two states of tune.
The 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel is sweet for 133kW of energy, however torque varies between the SWB fashions (400Nm) and the LWB XLV variations (420Nm). That is partly to help with the additional weight and functionality that the XLV grades supply up.
All variations of the Musso have a six-speed Aisin computerized gearbox fitted, and selectable four-wheel drive (2H, 4H and low-range 4L) and an auto-locking rear differential, too.
Now, in relation to the potential and capability on supply right here, in some methods it relies upon which mannequin you choose, however in others, it doesn’t.
All grades include an unbraked towing capability of 750kg and a braked most towing capability of 3500kg, which is the benchmark stage for dual-cab utes. Then it will get attention-grabbing in relation to the opposite numbers it’s essential know.
So, the gross automobile mass (or GVM) for the SWB variations of the Musso is 2880kg, and that jumps to 2980kg for the XLV variations of the Journey and Final. However for those who select the ELX XLV mannequin, the determine is 3220kg, as a result of it has leaf-spring rear suspension, the place the opposite variations are all operating a rear coil-spring setup.
That has an impression on gross mixture mass (GCM), too, with the SWB fashions rated to 6380kg, and the Journey and Final XLV long-wheelbase fashions pegged at 6480kg. However the ELX XLV has an enormous GCM of 6720kg, which makes this factor correctly fitted to onerous work.
Now, let’s contemplate payload capability for the mannequin vary. All SWB variations have a payload of 790kg. And the XLV variations of the mid- and high-grade fashions are rated to 880kg. It’s solely the ELX XLV that cracks a tonne (1010kg to be precise) of payload capability – due to these leaf springs.
How does the Ssangyong Musso XLV drive?
The Musso drive expertise is first rate, however not groundbreaking.
As has been the case for some time now, the two.2-litre turbo-diesel feels as much as the duty, with a good quantity of mid-range shove. It isn’t fast from a standstill, nevertheless it has sufficient punch that can assist you overtake with out fuss, and feels snug and by no means underdone on the open street.
I didn’t do a load check or tow this time round, however I’ve accomplished so previously within the Musso XLV, and the engine appears to understand the onerous work you throw at it.
The six-speed computerized transmission can also be first rate, with principally easy shifts in city and open street conditions. However I did have just a few cases the place the gearbox determined to shuffle forwards and backwards needlessly at decrease speeds, when it might have relied on the torque to tug by means of. Similar at increased speeds, the place it may be busier than it must.
The larger high-speed concern; although, is the steering. In Journey and Final spec – there’s a speed-sensitive steering system that alters the weighting of the steering, and makes it unnecessarily heavy if you flip the steering wheel at speeds round 80km/h to 110km/h.
It could catch you off-guard. It’s nearly like shedding energy steering on the freeway. Issues simply go hefty impulsively. It might do with some fine-tuning, and there are not any drive modes to regulate the steering weight, both.
Additionally a bit of unsettling is the experience, which doesn’t fairly nail the temporary of being a work-and-play automobile fairly in addition to another funds utes. It nonetheless very a lot seems like a body-on-frame ute.
When you’re stepping out of a 20-year-old trade-in, you mightn’t choose up on the wobbly really feel it displays over most bumps (at high and low speeds)… however for those who’ve simply pushed a GWM Ute, you’ll really feel like this can be a little bit of a backwards step.
Moreover, I actually want there had been some modifications made to the Journey to make it appear and feel a bit extra adventurous. Totally different suspension, extra aggressive tyres, or perhaps a sports activities bar would have added one thing to this bundle.
Fortunately, not less than the security expertise (which I’ll inform you extra about quickly) on this automobile isn’t too overbearing.
There’s a lane departure warning system which doesn’t attempt to steer for you; it simply beeps to inform you for those who’re straying out of your lane. It has a easy button to show that off on the steering wheel, which you’ll want to do every time you drive.
And I famous there are some potential consumers who commented they wouldn’t select a Musso as a result of it nonetheless doesn’t have adaptive cruise management. It’s a superb level, contemplating that system is obtainable within the ute’s house market of South Korea.
Funnily sufficient, that adaptive cruise system is built-in into an electrical energy steering set-up that additionally brings lane-keep help and energetic lane centring – so is it truly is a giant disgrace we don’t get that tech…
What do you get?
Musso ELX highlights:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Full-size spare wheel
- Computerized high-beam
- LED daytime operating lights
- Entrance fog lights
- Rain-sensing window wipers
- Heated facet mirrors with built-in indicators
- Assisted tailgate operation
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- 6-speaker sound system
- 2 x entrance USB-C ports
- Cloth upholstery
Musso Journey provides:
- 18-inch black alloy wheels
- LED vertical entrance fog lights
- Velocity-sensitive energy steering
- Attain-adjustable steering wheel
- Leatherette upholstery
- Heated and ventilated entrance seats
- Tyre-pressure monitoring
Musso Final provides:
- HID headlights
- Stroll-up welcome system
- Contact-sensing entrance door locks
- Stroll-away computerized door locking
- Heated steering wheel
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane change-collision warning
- Protected Exit Warning
- Encompass-view digicam
Final Luxurious Pack ($3000) provides:
- Powered sunroof
- Premium leather-based upholstery
- Energy entrance passenger seat
- Driver energy lumbar help
- Heated outboard rear seats
Is the Ssangyong Musso XLV secure?
When you want a related automotive security authority to persuade you {that a} automobile is secure, you then’re going to be upset right here, as there isn’t a ANCAP or Euro NCAP ranking for the Musso.
Additional to that, this automobile has one thing that ought to, in my view, be outlawed in a brand new automotive – a lap-only centre seatbelt. I get it, if that’s what you’ve acquired to maintain you secure in a Seventies Ford or Holden, that’s cool. However lap-sash seatbelts have been round because the Nineteen Fifties!
Customary security gear consists of:
- 6 airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Ahead collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Driver consideration warning
- Reversing digicam
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
Musso Final provides:
- Blind-spot warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-change collision warning
- Protected Exit Warning
- Encompass-view digicam
I’m not an enormous fan of the “richer folks need to be safer” mindset, and sadly, for those who’re prepared and in a position to spend extra in your Musso, you’ll get extra security gear.
How a lot does the Ssangyong Musso XLV value to run?
The Musso is smart from an possession standpoint.
There’s a seven-year, limitless kilometre guarantee for personal and enterprise prospects, and a seven-year roadside help plan on supply, too.
Servicing intervals are each 12 months/15,000km and – you guessed it – there’s a seven-year capped-price program that spans out to 105,000km, with the common upkeep payment capped at $375.
As for gas consumption, the SWB fashions have an official gas consumption ranking of 8.6 litres per 100 kilometres on the mixed cycle, whereas the XLV LWB fashions are pegged at 9.0L/100km.
In my testing, I noticed a return of 9.9L/100km throughout a mixture of driving, however there was no towing, off-roading or loaded testing as a part of this drive.
CarExpert’s Tackle the SsangYong Musso XLV
The SsangYong Musso’s modifications would possibly attraction to those that need a extra high-tech appear and feel inside their ute.
The worth equation nonetheless stacks up for consumers on a funds who need a dual-cab diesel 4×4 and don’t wish to wait 18 months to get it.
However whereas it’s a first rate factor, it falls a bit in need of being nice as a result of as I’ve defined, there are some notable points to contemplate – if it have been me, I’d be getting right into a GWM Ute as a substitute.
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