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Test-Driving The 2025 KGM Actyon

2025 KGM Actyon KGM 'Is that the new Range Rover?'—a question often received regarding the large white SUV on my driveway—'No, it's a KGM'. Eyebrows raised and depending on the individual, the conversation would sail or sink. If the latter, a swift follow-up with 'Ever heard of SsangYong?' worked well. The early Actyon was an unsightly SUV with drunk-camel-like handling and no direct rival: a useless gift from SsangYong to South Korea, parts of Europe and Kazakhstan. The Actyon was discontinued in 2010; the UK never received it, but a fresher attractive guise featuring all-new DNA has since landed on British shores. SsangYong collapsed in 2022, and South Korean KG Group threw it a lifeline, which resulted in the KG Mobility (KGM) rebrand. Following in the footsteps of the Torres, the first car to sport KGM badging, the Actyon would serve as a credible Kia Sportage alternative. It's like a sleeker coupé guise of the already distinctive but scarce Torres, meaning it turns many heads. KGM's fitted the Actyon with futuristic cues like front and rear LED lighting. Follow the rakish roofline to the rear, and you'll find sportier elements like a gloss black diffuser, complemented by 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. It looks posher and sportier than the £38,649 price tag suggests. The KGM Actyon measures 4740mm long, 1910mm wide and 1680mm tall. Inside, it uses two integrated 12.3-inch displays positioned atop faux wooden veneer, which spans the dashboard. Red and black leather seats mix with red-piped Alcantara door cards and fake carbon fibre. The KGM Actyon's stylish interior Matthew MacConnell KGM's littered the square steering wheel with buttons, although the voice control function refused to work in my loaner. It's not that it couldn't understand me, but it didn't work at all. There's also a handy 'favourites' button. This was set up to access the climate menu in my press car, although I reprogrammed it to change the car's drive modes. Finally, there's the large 'auto hold' handbrake button. You won't use this much. I certainly never. Although the touchscreen's graphics are crisp, like the Torres and Torres EVX, it responds glacially to finger dabs. I resorted to my smartphone for maps because the sat-nav wouldn't let me enter an address, even after a seven-minute warm-up. When it's ready, it's easy to use; KGM's even integrated a useful slide-down menu, which allows you to disable the annoying speed warning bleep. KGM Actyon rear passenger space Matthew MacConnell Six-footers have plenty of head and legroom, and there are front and rear USB-C charging ports. The front headrests are sculpted so you can hang jackets over them, although I initially thought this was a tablet holder. But not so. The boot's large at 668 litres, and the electronic tailgate can be opened from inside the boot—an ideal feature for campers. The turbocharged 1.5-litre makes 160 bhp and 280 Nm, resulting in decent in-gear performance, although you'll think twice about stomping the gas pedal when glancing at the mpg readout. With a full tank (roughly 320 miles), I covered 80 miles via motorways, back roads and towns throughout my week with the KGM Actyon. Upon collection, it showed a 28.9mpg average, while most runs returned 29mpg. KGM Actyon's engine Matthew MacConnell While its SUV aesthetics nod to a four-wheel drive system, the Actyon is two-wheel drive. There's plenty of grip for on-road driving but look elsewhere if you require a mud skipper. The Actyon is a good motorway cruiser. Comfortable seats sit high, giving a commanding road view, while large door mirrors provide ample visibility. Likewise, my sound meter recorded 68dB at 70mph, putting it on par with a dishwasher. I adore the KGM Actyon's aesthetics. It sticks out in the growing merging SUV market. It's also packed with tech to boot like dual-zone climate control, rear passenger blinds and rear heated seats, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated and cooled front seats, and a heated steering wheel. KGM Actyon's rear Matthew MacConnell But I still can't gel with KGM's slow touchscreen. And while the six-speed automatic gearbox shifts somewhat smoothly, the engine feels too responsive when attempting to drive off gently, causing it to lurch forward. Similarly, it's not the most efficient of powerplants. It has lots of room, but so does a Kia Sportage. KGM's on the tracks with the Actyon. It's cheap, spacious, stylish and packed with tech, but Kia shouldn't be worried just yet.