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By Jonathan Crouch

KGM's Actyon adds extra style to this Korean brand's mid-sized SUV formula. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 56

KGM continues to modernise its SsangYong-derived product range with new models. Here's another, the Actyon, a sleek Coupe-SUV version of the mid-size Torres crossover. But a car with its own distinct look and feel. The single combustion petrol unit on offer shuns electrification, but there's all the space and equipment you could want for the money.

Backgroundword count: 150

We're only just getting used to the Korean KGM brand, but already it's launched two completely new cars here. The first, the Torres mid-sized SUV, was actually developed by the brand KGM took over in mid-2022, SsangYong. But the model we look at here, the Actyon, is all KGM's own. At first glance, it's merely a sleeker Coupe-SUV version of the Torres, but the brand is promoting it as a separate flagship model, despite the fact that (unlike the Torres) it can't be had as a full-EV. The Actyon name is supposed to be a combination of 'active young' and 'act on'. It was first used by former brand SsangYong for a model that lasted two generations from 2005 to 2018 and was, KGM rather controversially reckons, the world's first Coupe-SUV. The sales numbers targeted for this modern Actyon will be small; should you consider it? Let's take a look.

Driving Experienceword count: 215

The Actyon can't be had as an EV or with 4WD. The single variant offered here is front-driven and uses essentially the same 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit as the Torres. As with that car, it's bereft of any kind of electrical assistance and is driven through an Aisin-produced six-speed auto gearbox which shifts rather too readily. As with the Torres, it produces 161bhp and 280Nm of torque, but KGM says it has here been tuned for 'improved real-world performance'. 62mph takes 10.8s en route to 119mph. The suspension has been tweaked over the Torres too, though you're still likely to feel speed humps and potholes rather too keenly. More effective has been the work done on refinement, which is near best in class. That's courtesy of sound absorbing materials and foam pads built into the chassis, plus laminated glass door sills and special noise cancelling Michelin tyres. As with other KGM models, there's not much reward for throwing this car through the bends - nor is there much steering feedback, but most customers aren't likely to be much bothered by that. As with so many new cars these days, the lane keeping assist and speed limit warning systems are over-intrusive and you'll quickly want to use the screen short-cut menu to turn them off.

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