KGM Musso Saracen (2026) Review

POOR delivery driver, he’s had a long day. It’s now 4pm and he’s only just arrived to collect the vehicle, which he now has to drive back down south, so it will be 8.30pm by the time he reaches home.

I bet he wishes he had something tasty to head home in, something comfortable, long-legged, cossetting – oh, he has, but it’s not what you might think.

Let’s consider the specification of the vehicle on the drive: premium nappa leather seats which are power adjustable and ventilated and heated in the front and back; there’s a heated leather steering wheel too; rear privacy glass looks cool and keeps prying eyes at bay.

If it gets dark, there are high intensity discharge LED headlamps; if he needs to park up, there are front and rear parking sensors and a rear view camera; if he gets drowsy, he can drop the temperature courtesy of automatic dual zone air-conditioning.

If he needs any information, he can glance at the 12.3in full digital instrument cluster and dab away at the 12.3in smart audio screen with TomTom navigation, Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto; if his concentration fades, there is a brake assist system, blind spot detection and rear cross alert; and if he wants to relax and rest his right foot, there is electronic cruise control.

Quite a luxurious specification, then, and more impressive still that it all comes as standard in a big, butch, roughty toughty pick-up called the KGM Musso Saracen.

To save the driver a bit of time and inconvenience I’ve collected him from the railway station and he grabs a refuel before dropping me off home.

I point out that a full tank will easily see him home and that the Musso is surprisingly relaxing and easy to drive long-haul, from which he gains comfort. Then he is off and away and I go in the house to watch a spot of tele – he’ll be fine, really, because the Musso is that good.

The 202PS turbo diesel is extremely refined, quiet and willing. It gives the KGM the supreme long legs of any of the very best motorway mile-eaters and the cab is so comfortable it should keep fatigue away, it certainly did for me.

The cab is large, well-equipped and spacious so the ambience is perfect for mile-munching. If he’s like me, he’ll plumb his phone into the excellent infotainment centre and sing showtunes all the way.

The ride is also surprisingly capable. Pick-ups can be afflicted by pogoing ride, especially if the large load bay is empty. Not so the Musso which is utterly car-like, comfortable and refined. It is also accomplished on twisty country roads and, with decently positive steering, it is thoroughly enjoyable to drive, especially with the smooth, powerful engine and seamless six-speed automatic gearbox.

During the week, I have a chat with a local contractor who drives a pick-up from another manufacturer and has had trouble with a rotting chassis. He’s very interested in the Musso. He likes the looks and lines, complete with muscular grille and smart black alloys and running boards.

He is even more interested as he tows and is happy to see it can pull 3.5 tonnes and has a one tonne max payload. He is thrilled with the power output of 202PS, the 30+ miles per gallon fuel figure and the fact it runs in two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive, with a low ratio crawler box and hill descent control.

He is surprised and pleased to hear that KGM is no new kid on the block. The Korean company used to be called SsangYong and has made robust 4x4s for almost 70 years. He also likes the price – starting from just over £30K, excluding VaT.

For this modest price tag all manner of customers get the proper job. For the working man or woman Musso is immensely practical, capable and well-priced. But for the leisure market it is brilliant too because it is so well-equipped, refined and dynamic that it makes the perfect drive over long or short distances, whether you are tired or full of energy, along the motorways, in town, or along country roads. So there’s no need to pity the driver, after all, he’ll be just fine.

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