For decades now, Australians have been familiar with the SsangYong Musso name.
What began as a value alternative to other off-road SUVs of the 1990s – winning many over with the promise of a diesel engine (licensed) from Mercedes-Benz – was later reborn as a dual-cab ute.
SsangYong’s reputation struggled due to quality issues with the ageing Musso ute, despite the second-generation model – launched 12 years after the first version was axed – punching well above its weight.
It took the best part of a decade, but buyers eventually began trusting the Musso name, with the spacious and well-equipped dual-cab offering a competitive package – beating out many Japanese utes as well as newcomers from China.
But years of financial turmoil for the Korean brand eventually led to it being purchased by the KG Group, and leading to the automaker being renamed as KG Mobility – or KGM for short.
Now, the KGM Musso EV ute is one of the first models to arrive since the company began its new era, though it’s clear this latest generation of models had been in development behind the scenes long before the takeover and rebrand.
The 2026 KGM Musso EV is now the cheapest electric dual-cab ute on sale in Australia, and is available with either front- or all-wheel drive. The range-topping AWD variant is on test here.
Like many in the industry, we’re keen to find out whether the new Musso EV can help usher in a new age of prosperity for KGM, and continue to deliver value for Australian ute buyers.
How much does the KGM Musso EV cost?
As mentioned, the KGM Musso EV is currently the cheapest electric ute on sale in Australia – however, it’s not clear how long it will continue to hold that title, with several competitors on the horizon.
| Model | Drive-away pricing |
|---|---|
| 2026 KGM Musso EV 2WD | $60,000 |
| 2026 KGM Musso EV Black Edge | $62,000 |
| 2026 KGM Musso EV AWD | $64,000 |
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What is the KGM Musso EV like on the inside?
One of the most impressive things about the outgoing diesel-powered SsangYong Musso was its cabin, which offered a much larger space for occupants than its Japanese competitors, along with high-quality switchgear and materials.
So it’s curious that KGM has decided to move forward with a smaller cabin for the Musso EV. While financial reasons were no doubt behind the decision, it does come across as a deliberate move by the South Korean automaker – turning its back on a major selling feature of the Musso and positioning the Musso EV as more of a lifestyle ute.
But whereas the old Musso was pretty bland inside, the new electric version is bright, modern, and clearly trying to play on the same level as its domestic competitors, Hyundai and Kia.
Inside, a double-wide screen combines a 12.3-inch infotainment centre with an identical digital instrument cluster, with most of the car’s controls being accessed via the touchscreen. Buttons are kept to an absolute minimum.
It may look modern and edgy in pictures, but the hexagonal-shaped steering wheel doesn’t work as well in the real world. Cars have been a part of modern life for over a century now, and we really don’t need to be literally reinventing the wheel, guys.
With the battery located under the seats, the driver and passenger sit noticeably higher than the exterior proportions would suggest. However, the seats are comfortable, and the seat heating does come on strong – a joy on those cold, early mornings.
There is also ample headroom for those with ample heads, though ergonomics aren’t as good as in the older diesel model.
Some things inside do feel a little undercooked. Whereas the diesel Musso felt solid and well-built, the new electric ute has a cheaper, hollow feeling to the dash and interior. Like it was created and manufactured to a budget, which it no doubt was.
Development feels like it may have been rushed through. For example, the cupholders, which won’t sufficiently hold a large McDonald’s drink. Maybe KGM’s engineers are just healthy eaters, but it seems like an oversight.
Similarly, the rear windscreen sits at just the right angle so it reflects tail-lights from the car ahead back onto your own front windscreen. In other words, when sitting at an intersection, more than once we had red brake lights projected directly into our eyeline, like some kind of giant warning light from the head-up display. Very distracting and potentially dangerous.
Perhaps worst of all, the Musso EV only comes with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. At a time when even the cheapest vehicles on sale have wireless smartphone connectivity, not including it on a $60k ute isn’t really acceptable by any measure.
For those relegated to the second row, there’s enough room for a couple of adults to remain comfortable, though it’s certainly not as roomy or as comfortable as the older Musso – but for most, it will surely do the job, and the laid-back angle of the seats will make longer drives bearable.
Total payload is a decent 902kg for the 2WD model, dropping to 805kg in the AWD vehicle. Dump some weight in the back though, and the car’s self-levelling suspension will help keep the front from pointing up at the sky.
| Dimensions | KGM Musso EV |
|---|---|
| Length | 5160mm |
| Width | 1920mm |
| Height | 1750mm |
| Wheelbase | 3150mm |
To see how the KGM Musso EV lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
Buyers get a choice of front-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive, with either 152kW of power and 339Nm of torque, or 266kW and 630Nm respectively.
| 2WD | AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum power – front motor / rear motor | 152kW / – | 152kW / 152kW |
| Maximum torque – front motor / rear motor | 339Nm / – | 339Nm / 339Nm |
| Combined system output – power / torque | 152kW / 339Nm | 266kW / 630Nm |
| Transmission | 1-speed auto (reduction gear) | 1-speed auto (reduction gear) |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Battery capacity | 80.6kWh | 80.6kWh |
| Battery chemistry | Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) | Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) |
| AC charge rate | 10.5kW | 10.5kW |
| DC charge rate | 300kW | 300kW |
| Electric range (WLTP) | 420km | 380km |
| Energy consumption (combined, WLTP) | 23kWh/100km | 26kWh/100km |
There’s just one battery available, with the 80.6kWh pack offering 420km of range for the 2WD model, or 380km for the AWD.
KGM claims the Musso EV can recharge from 20 to 80 per cent in a little over 30 minutes on a 300kW DC fast-charger, though finding a plug with that much oomph in Australia could be a challenge.
One clear advantage with the Musso EV is its vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging capability, which allows owners to use the vehicle to power 240V electrical appliances like power tools and camping gear, or even the household fridge if you’re in a blackout.
How does the KGM Musso EV drive?
There’s a lot to like when it comes to driving the Musso EV, which is based on the forthcoming electric SUV from the brand, giving it a reasonably composed and easy character on the road.
However, that character is relatively far removed from the commercial flavour of the previous model it shares a name with.
Approach it with the same kind of expectations, and you may well be disappointed.
By comparison, the new Musso does not come across as a strong off-roader or tough tradie vehicle. No, this is more akin to a lifestyle vehicle – a family hauler that can be used for Bunnings trips at the weekend.
It can be a jarring thought to an Aussie ute lover, but the lifestyle ute segment is quite popular in North America, with the likes of the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick finding a strong following there.
And there is an upside, which is that the Musso EV doesn’t handle like an off-road ute with a ladder-frame chassis. (Unless, of course, that’s what you’re after…)
The electric KGM ute has far better on-road manners, with light inputs and an SUV-like ride. Albeit the type of ride comfort you’d expect from a cheaper mid-size SUV.
Performance isn’t mind-blowing, but it’s not bad overall. The Musso feels like it’s perhaps lacking in torque on take-off – though that may be more to do with pedal mapping – but once it gets going, there’s a decent flow of power on tap.
That off-the-line response, or lack thereof, is exacerbated by the auto brake holding – which comes on when the ute is brought to a stop – meaning there’s a slight delay between squeezing the throttle and the car releasing the brakes. We’re talking tenths of a second, but it feels more obvious in practice.
Having said that, the AWD doesn’t feel especially fast, despite the healthy power figures from having two electric motors compared to the 2WD model – almost doubling performance.
Imagine if the 2WD Toyota HiLux had one 2.8-litre turbo-diesel under the bonnet, and the 4×4 version had a second 2.8-litre engine mounted in the tub. It’s a hilarious thought, but that’s essentially what KGM has done with the AWD Musso EV. Except you don’t lose load capacity in the tub.
Back in the Musso EV, we were a little unimpressed with the shift selector. On more than one occasion, we tried to select park while in reverse, and it didn’t register. Another time, it wouldn’t immediately go into reverse from park, then it wouldn’t go back into park from reverse. It was all a little slow to respond and frustrating when it wouldn’t give me the gear I wanted.
That said, the lane-keep assist works well, and the energy recuperation on deceleration appears, on first glance at least, to be pretty well calibrated.
| Off-road dimensions | KGM Musso EV |
|---|---|
| Track front and rear | 1635mm |
| Ground clearance | 181.4mm |
| Approach angle | 20.2 degrees |
| Departure angle | 24.3 degrees |
| Ramp breakover angle | 15.1 degrees |
To see how the KGM Musso EV lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
With just one equipment specification available from KGM, the lineup is essentially the same regardless of what you go for.
2026 KGM Musso EV 2WD standard equipment highlights:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights, tail-lights and DRLs
- Automatic high-beam
- Self-levelling rear suspension
- Dual-zone climate control
- 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Leatherette upholstery
- 8-way power front seats with power driver seat lumbar
- Sliding, folding, reclining and 60/40-split rear seats
- Heated front and rear outer seats
- Ventilated front seats
- Ambient interior lighting
- Leather-trimmed and heated steering wheel
- Heated, power-adjustable and power-folding door mirrors
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Wireless phone charger
- Durable rear tub liner with lighting and bumper corner steps
2026 KGM Musso EV 2WD Black Edge adds:
- Leather and suede seat trim
- Suede head restraints and door trim section
- Black 17-inch alloy wheels
- Black exterior highlights:
- Bonnet garnish
- Door mirrors
- Tailgate badge
- Sail plane
- Front bumper trim
- C-pillar emblem
- Black steering wheel bezel
- Dark woodgrain dash trim
Both the base 2WD and the AWD flagship come standard with ‘Black Leather Look’ interior trim, while the 2WD Black Edge has ‘Black Leather & Suede’ trim.
Grand White is the only standard exterior paint colour, with all metallic hues attracting a $700 surcharge. The Black Edge is only available with Grand White paint and Space Black metallic.
Metallic finishes include:
- Space Black
- Blazing Gold
- Marble Grey
- Ultra Marine
- Amazonia Marine
To see how the KGM Musso EV lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Is the KGM Musso EV safe?
The KGM Musso EV has yet to be tested by ANCAP or its sister organisation, Euro NCAP.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Lane-keep assist
- Front Vehicle Start Alert (FVSA)
- Multi-collision braking
- Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Surround-view camera with 3D view
- Eight airbags
To see how the KGM Musso EV lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How much does the KGM Musso EV cost to run?
The Musso EV gets KGM’s seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with the vehicle’s battery getting its own 10-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.
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| Servicing and Warranty | KGM Musso EV |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 7 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | 7 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Service intervals | 12 months, 20,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years or 140,000km |
| Average annual service cost | $285 |
| Total capped-price service cost | $1996 |
With service intervals being 20,000km or 12 months (whichever comes first), KGM offers fixed-price servicing for up to seven years or 140,000km – with each visit to the dealer costing between $215 and $498 per service.
KGM quotes energy consumption of 23kWh/100km for the 2WD model, or 26kWh/100km for the AWD version like the one we have here.
We saw around 21kWh/100km with an equal mixture of suburban, freeway, and peak-hour city driving during our time with it.
To see how the KGM Musso EV lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the KGM Musso EV
The history of SsangYong in Australia – now known as KGM – has been one of a rollercoaster.
And the all-new Musso EV seems like it could be a dip from the highs of the previous Musso, due to several years of financial turmoil and new ownership.
While the ageing diesel-powered Musso offered the same kind of quality you’d expect from Japanese and Korean competitors – but at a lower price point than most – the latest electric ute now seems like it’s on the same level as some of the cheaper offerings from China.
Though the diesel Musso felt like it was underpriced for the quality, the Musso EV matches its price tag. Like a G-Shock Mudmaster versus a Casio digital watch. Two products offering the same basic thing, from the same manufacturer, but made for different styles and needs.
Where KGM has the advantage though is with its decades of experience building cars. That much, at least, you can tell has been baked into the Musso EV.
But there’s still a sense that this model may have been rushed to market and given the stamp of approval before it had finished going through the rigours of development.
The interior comes off as a bit cheap and hollow, while the exterior is overdesigned and, frankly, a little tacky in areas.
I actually really like the look of the front-end, but there are too many little design details across the body that make it look like a concept car, or like it’s been built with an eBay accessories catalogue – which is highlighted by this bright metallic mustard colour. Some may like it for being different and out there, but it was a little much for us.
Part of the appeal of the last Musso was its understated looks, and that idea has certainly been lost in this new electric ute.
Our recommendation would be to go for a more subdued colour like the dark blue, helping to hide some of the more excessive styling cues.
For those after an electric vehicle, but want the versatility of a dual-cab ute, the Musso EV is certainly worth considering – though we suspect the model will benefit from a year or two of updates. Like its diesel predecessor, the battery-powered Musso could end up being a slow-burn in the market.
With any luck, it could be the model that helps send KGM to new heights.
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