2026 KGM Actyon evaluation | CarExpert

So lengthy, Ssangyong. Hwan-yeong KGM!

The brand new auto model that replaces the ‘different Korean automaker’ is right here, with KGM launching its first mannequin – one which bears an outdated identify from SsangYong’s, er, heyday? 

Look, for those who’ve by no means seen an authentic Ssangyong Actyon, picture search it after which come again to behold this new-generation mannequin… fortunately, there’s not even a touch of a passing resemblance.

I imply, it’s form of unusual that the brand new Actyon doesn’t have a coupe-style profile – the unique one was a pioneer of the SUV-coupe style, even beating the BMW X6 to market. 

However that is KGM’s third mid-size SUV providing, sitting above the Korando and Torres, and it’s arguably the best-looking one.

And it’s additionally the most important, and the costliest. So is it actually well worth the cash that’s being requested for a front-wheel drive mid-size petrol SUV?

Learn on for our verdict.

How a lot does the KGM Actyon value?

The KGM Actyon is expensive.

At a time when Chinese language manufacturers are resetting the worth expectations of Australians, and Korean and Japanese manufacturers are nervously trying over their shoulders, KGM launches available in the market with a non-hybrid, non-AWD, petrol-powered, front-wheel drive mannequin with a near-$50,000 price ticket that’s nicely above what some mainstream manufacturers are asking for his or her least expensive mid-size SUVs.

Now, it needs to be stated that this SUV has a powerful customary tools checklist, however sheesh. That may be a massive worth for a automotive that’s unknown, from a brand new model identify, in probably the most fiercely fought section of the market.

When you’re curious to see how the KGM Acyton compares to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device

What’s the KGM Actyon like on the within?

The cabin design and remedy is similar to the smaller Torres SUV, and in that regard it’s additionally fairly just like a number of different SUVs within the section.

By that I imply you’ve received a pair of 12.3-inch screens – one for infotainment, one for driver data – and there’s a mixture of supplies starting from wood-look trim to ambient LED strip lights and a few intriguing ending on the dashboard and door playing cards which is like wetsuit materials.

However the quirkiest a part of the cabin is the steering wheel design, as a result of it’s not a wheel in any respect. It’s a hexagon, and whereas this has been a trait in SsangYong merchandise of years passed by, this one appears to be extra misplaced on this cabin, and it additionally makes the automotive tougher to maneuver round (as mentioned within the driving part beneath).

Fortunately although, it does have a complete host of controls that fall simply at hand on the tiller, together with a steering wheel heating button, adaptive cruise management administration, media and quantity controls, and a driver data toggle setup. Disgrace the buttons are piano black, and present finger prints.

The media display is slightly fiddly till you get the grasp of find out how to use it. There aren’t any bodily dials or buttons – that’s proper, no quantity or tuning twirlers, and nothing to manage the air-conditioning with by any means. All of that’s performed on-screen.

However I discovered that after only a day or so, I understood the menu format and was capable of regulate temp and fan, seat heating and cooling, and even rear seat heating, too.

What I nonetheless battle to return to phrases with is that the electrical boot opening button is on the identical ‘web page’ because the controls for air-con, and positioned most likely precisely the place the recirc button must be! Don’t mistake these two whereas sitting in visitors!

There may be Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, however annoyingly they aren’t wi-fi – you continue to must plug in with a USB-C cable.

Storage within the cabin is sweet, with a pair of cupholders up entrance, a coated centre console bin with an odd materials end on it (not nice for these with delicate elbows), and there are giant bottle holders within the entrance doorways, in addition to a storage tray on the ground between the entrance seats.

The seats are one other consideration – they’re Nappa leather-trimmed with a diamond-quilted red-stitched end, and whereas they’re supportive, they could additionally fall into the uncomfortable column for some bums.

The again seat is a little more squishy feeling, and with the motive force’s seat set to my place, (at 182cm/6’0”) I had inches of room forward of my legs and a very good quantity of foot wiggle area as nicely. Headroom is cheap for somebody my dimension, however taller-torsoed occupants may discover it a tad tight.

In fact there are ISOFIX factors and three top-tether anchors for youngster seats, and the seatbacks are product of a kid-kickable exhausting plastic. There are machine and map pockets on each seatbacks, and in any other case these within the rear are handled to bottle holders within the doorways and a flip-down armrest with cupholders.

Directional air-vents preserve issues ethereal within the again, and there are heated seat buttons on each doorways. The panoramic glass sunroof – which has a pleasant thick shade and glass that may really open – makes it really feel fairly breezy within the again, too.

The boot area is beneficiant, with a acknowledged 688 litres of cargo capability with the rear seats up, and that expands to 1440L with all seats folded down.

Unusually, there are recesses within the boot for a cargo cowl, however none is fitted. However there are some neat touches, just like the set off change contained in the boot for the tailgate, which means it’ll be simpler for shorties to shut the boot lid. And there may be lighting, and a 12V port, plus extra storage bins both aspect of the ground.

A pleasant plus is the inclusion of a space-saver spare wheel.

When you’re curious to see how the KGM Acyton compares to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device

What’s below the bonnet?

That is what may show to be a sticking level for discerning, future-focused consumers. The powertrain supplied in Australia is a bit too primary at a time when there’s seemingly a battle breaking out between value-focused manufacturers like BYD, Chery, MG and GWM to supply electrification at unbeatable costs.

So, is a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with an Aisin computerized transmission and front-wheel drive actually a ok proposition in 2025 and past?

When you’re curious to see how the KGM Acyton compares to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device

How does the KGM Actyon drive?

Don’t go anticipating a game-changing drive expertise on this SUV. It isn’t designed to be that form of automotive.

The engine is perky sufficient, and presents clean response when you’re at velocity, however there’s a contact of lag to cope with from a standstill; a part of that’s turbo lag, half is throttle response, half is the engine idle cease/begin system, and a good whack can be the automated gearbox.

The six-speed auto is enough, however nothing higher. Actually, it could actually really feel a bit insufficient at instances, as I discovered on my take a look at, with the odd ‘why did it do this?’ model gear shift… There aren’t Mazda CX-60 ranges of unpredictability, although, and the shifts are clean for probably the most half.

Actually, the powertrain can be completely effective for almost all of consumers nearly all of the time. It simply doesn’t do something significantly particular, nor significantly nicely.

Annoyingly, the gear selector motion may make you’re feeling like a noob at instances, as a result of you actually need to be sure you shift between the gears. Like, maintain the shifter for not less than a second to make sure it chooses R or D, in any other case chances are you’ll find yourself in N, revving the engine and pondering you’re about to tug a candy parking transfer…

In the meantime, the steering wheel makes its odd form recognized each time you think about a nook or peruse a parking spot. It’s a bizarre form, and actually makes it a tougher automotive to dwell with since you’re all the time discovering the ‘edges’ of the hexagonal rim. Like, you simply can’t let it naturally slide by way of your grip, ever.

And whereas the suspension isn’t the cushiest by way of the experience consolation, it’s largely nicely resolved, regardless of providing the occasional jolt by way of the cabin for those who hit a sharp-edged bump. That’s partly as a result of low-profile Michelin rubber on 20-inch wheels, but in addition there’s a stiffness to the springs that makes it really feel a bit extra assertive than different SUVs.

There’s a little bit of highway noise intrusion and engine noise to cope with at instances, however it’s usually cruisy sufficient for freeway commuting. And whereas there’s a lane-keeping help operate that activates every time you restart the automotive, there’s a easy ‘change off’ process for those who don’t prefer it; simply push down the button on the steering wheel.

Lovably, there isn’t a irritating velocity restrict warning/overspeed beeping tech, and neither is there a driver monitoring digital camera. That is perhaps off-putting for some however, actually, it’s really an enormous a part of the explanation this automotive feels a contact extra habitable than it in any other case would.

When you’re curious to see how the KGM Acyton compares to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device

What do you get?

As we stated, there’s a sturdy customary equipment checklist. However that’s the norm nowadays from challenger manufacturers. Even so, right here’s a rundown of the usual tools within the Actyon lineup.

2025 KGM Actyon K50 tools highlights:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• Automated high-beam
• Arms-free energy tailgate
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
• Rear privateness glass
• Electrical park brake with auto maintain
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Heated steering wheel
• Customisable favorite button
• Quilted Nappa leather-based upholstery
• Heated and ventilated entrance seats
• 8-way power-adjustable entrance seats with energy driver’s lumbar
• Heated outboard rear seats
• Reclining rear seats (as much as 32.5°)
• 32-colour ambient lighting
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Carbon-fibre and woodgrain trim
• 2 x rear USB retailers

The K60 provides:

• Panoramic sunroof
• Rear door solar blinds
• Wi-fi cellphone charger
• Encompass-view digital camera system

When you’re curious to see how the KGM Acyton compares to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device

Is the KGM Actyon protected?

The KGM Actyon has but to be examined by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. If it had been examined, below the present standards, it isn’t a surefire factor to get 5 stars as a consequence of missing among the superior expertise required to appease the Gods of Security Rankings.

Nevertheless, the very fact it’s lacking some gadgets really makes it a nicer – and, arguably, safer! – factor to drive.

There isn’t any driver consideration monitoring system to get it incorrect and let you know you’re distracted once you’re not, and neither is there a velocity signal recognition and warning system, which means there’s no bing-bong distractions, and that’ll make your every day commute much less of a chore. 

Normal security tools consists of:

• Adaptive cruise management
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane-keep help
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Reversing digital camera
• Entrance and rear parking sensors
• Tyre strain monitoring

K60 provides: 

There are eight airbags fitted to the Actyon – twin entrance, driver’s knee, entrance centre, entrance side-thorax, and window-curtain protection for each rows of outboard seats.

When you’re curious to see how the KGM Acyton compares to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device

How a lot does the KGM Actyon value to run?

KGM is constant on with the present SsangYong providing relating to aftersales provisions… nicely, virtually. There’s nonetheless a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, which is aggressive for the category – and simply because it was with SsangYong, the identical guarantee covers personal and industrial consumers. 

There’s additionally a seven-year/105,000km capped worth servicing program, and the intervals are good at 12 months/15,000km. The typical service value over the interval is aggressive, too, at $382 per go to. 

KGM has dialled again the roadside help program a smidge – consumers now get 5 years of roadside help included for free of charge, whereas SsangYong supplied seven years.

When you’re curious to see how the KGM Acyton compares to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device

CarExpert’s Tackle the KGM Actyon

This appears like a automotive that will have been a standout choice if it had launched two or three years in the past.

And whereas there may be loads of benefit right here, there may be additionally an unbelievable quantity of competitors within the mid-size SUV section, with many rivals providing extra high-tech powertrains and higher drivetrain selections for related or much less cash.

There isn’t any denying there’s a heap of nice equipment as customary right here, and for some folks the fee can be justifiable. However in context of the present market, it feels prefer it’s about $10,000 over the percentages for a front-drive petrol mid-size SUV.

Considering shopping for a KGM Actyon? Let CarExpert discover you the very best deal right here

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MORE: Discover the KGM Actyon showroom