Now with better towing capacity and a very attractive exterior and interior design.
Maybe in another life, I was born in Texas because, in this one, I have always liked pick-ups. It is a type of vehicle that is not popular in cities, nor is it the most appropriate due to its dimensions, but during the test of the SsangYong Musso Sports, I verified that it attracts more attention than a sports car. Word.
I don't know if it will be because of the car in question, because it is a novelty on the market and not seen at all, or because of its size -it measures 5,405 mm in length, 1,950 mm in width, and 1,885 mm in height- or because of its attractive design.
Outside and inside
Its front part adopts the design language of the brand's passenger cars. Without a doubt, thanks to its sharp headlights and its large grill, it is very reminiscent of the SsangYong Rexton. Complete that the packaging, and its bodywork, are available in seven different colors and that there is a range of alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 18 inches.
That similarity with the flagship of the range is also appreciated in the interior. And it is that it does not look like the driving position of a pick-up, but of an SUV. It provides the steering wheel with perforated leather at the ends and even heating, the central area of the dashboard with the same material -leatherette- and the 8-inch touch screen compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It is true that the dashboard adopts hard plastics, but it is logical since it is a commercial vehicle. But, despite this, it has a very good appearance. And something that would stand out: it equips physical buttons for all functions.
Regarding the space for the second row, the passengers have a very wide space for both the knees and the head; advantages of the square shape of its body. In addition, the backrests can be reclined up to 27º. Also, under the bench, there is a drawer to store items since it lacks a trunk as such.
But if you want space, you have all you want and more: 1,262 liters thanks to a box that is 1,610 mm long, 1,570 mm wide, and 570 mm high. The load capacity varies if it brings manual transmission, 1,085 kg; automatic, 1,075 kg, or if it is the Limited version, whose suspension is designed for leisure, 870 kg.
Engine and performance
Moving this 2,175 kg vehicle is a 2.2 in-line four-cylinder diesel engine capable of delivering 202 hp and delivering a maximum torque of 441 Nm (400 with manual transmission) to reach a top 186.5 km/h.
That force is transmitted to the two axles through an automatic torque converter, which is not excessively fast, but I didn't expect more in a pick-up either. It can be changed manually thanks to a tab on the knob.
And since under the hood, there is a diesel engine, it is a joy to see in the instrument panel a range close to 1,000 km. How I miss this feeling of power... For its part, the official consumption is 8.9 l/100 km. Ours has been very close, moving on the highway with some excellent 5.4 l/100 km and by city, with about 10.0.
Behavior
The SsangYong Musso Sport has three driving profiles: Eco, Power, and Winter. With the first, obviously, the delivery is more linear. And with the other two, more forcefulness is noted, but not at 1,600 rpm, which is when it delivers its torque according to the tab, but at around 1,900.
The cold block sounds, but once it warms up, it decreases. Of course, I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it is on the road; Maybe it has to do with the fact that at 120 km/h, the rev counter needle stands at 1,900 rpm.
The address I see is too heavy. And beware, I like them that way, but I think a lighter dot wouldn't hurt given the vehicle in question.
The car sways in the corner, and I think it would be better with better tires - these also have a lot of balls. But, to be honest, with this type of car, I don't think your body will ask you to go at a high pace... on asphalt.
Because outside of it, yes, and slow if you wish, thanks to its connectable all-wheel drive. In addition, it is equipped with a self-locking rear and reducer. It is this, with its reduction of 2.48:1, which, with very low gears when rolling in low gears, allows it to overcome obstacles on the ground at low speed. It provides independent front suspension, double wishbone, and coil springs, and the rear, which in the case of this Limited version is multi-link with coil springs -in the other versions it is leaf springs-. A beast outside the asphalt that resists very little with its 19.5 degrees of attack, 20.0 of ventral and 20.5 of exit, and the three-millimeter steel plates that protect the underside of the engine.
Price
The new SsangYong Musso Sports is available in three versions (Pro, Premium, and Limited) and has a starting price of 26,500 euros. This figure includes curtain and side airbags, front and rear parking sensors, 17-inch alloy wheels, preparation for a tow hook, and a 5-year or 100,000-kilometre warranty.
There are few rivals left in the segment, and none is priced as tightly as the South Korean one. If you add its immediate delivery and that it has one of the largest cargo boxes in the segment, the choice can be simple.
Conclusion
The best
Exterior and interior design.
Price against the competition.
Box volume.
Off-road behavior.
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