Overview
The SsangYong Musso is a mid-sized pickup truck from the Korean automaker. Its name in Korean means rhinoceros. This implies that the vehicle in question is characterized by strength and ruggedness. These two qualities do define what Musso stands for. It is more than just that. It has been produced on the platform of the company's mid-sized SUV called Rexton. So, it does retain all the glossy and premium features of the SUV's interior, and the exterior boasts of a solid body that means business. Let's look at it in detail below;
Features
The SsangYong Musso features a 2.2L, 4-cylinder, 16 valves diesel engine that is capable of producing 179 hp at 4000 rpm and 420 Nm of torue. It is available in both six-speed manual transmission and six-speed automatic transmission with drive mode. The suspension has a double wishbone system for the front and coil spring multi-link for the rear. The disc brakes come standard on all four wheels. Its tank has a fuel capacity of 75 liters. It is equipped with all the standard safety features that include front airbags for all trims and side and curtain airbags for advanced variants. Besides airbags, other convenience and safety features are anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD), electronic door locks, speed sensing doors, child seat anchor, keyless entry, and push-button start. On the whole, the vehicle has all the important features of a modern pick-up truck.
Exterior
The exterior of the SsangYong Musso is styled on the company's mid-sized SUV, Rexton. It looks as the last two seats of Rexton were chopped off to make way for Musso's cabin. It has the same straight lines that they are more defined herein the SsangYong Musso and very well executed. This gives the exterior a stylish yet sporty look. The front look is interesting with a multi-level fascia and a broad line that extends from shoulder down to the fender. The rear shoulder line, however, does not meet the rear fender. The body and the bed of the SsangYong Musso sit high on the frame while the body itself rests on 17-inches alloy wheels.
Interior
The interior of the SsangYong Musso is simple, tastefully, very well laid out. The influence of Rexton and the technical partnership with Daimler-Benz is evident in the execution of the interior. While there are no wooden trims and quilted leathers on the dashboard yet the material is of high quality and impresses as one enters inside. There are lots of soft-plastics, contrasting colors, and textures. While a dual color tone has been used there are several shades of gray, brown, chrome, and silver that you can find in the interior. The power-adjustable seats are comfortable to sit and relax. There is plenty of leg and headroom. The storage spaces have been smartly and generously provided. There is a state-of-the-art infotainment system with an 8-inches HD screen. It is easy to use and understand compatible both with Android auto Apple CarPlay. The controls of the infotainment system have been mounted on the steering wheel as well. There is a fully automatic, dual-zone air-conditioning system with separate AC vents for the rear passengers. The instrument panel has all the information that you need and it provides it.
Performance
The SsangYong Musso came into the Philippines in the 90s and back then it was an SUV. It was repackaged as a pickup truck in the early 2000s. Since then the Korean company has changed ownership many times and the model line ups remained thin and unpopular. Indian conglomerate Mahindra is now heading SsangYong and managing its operations. It is still a small Korean auto player compared to the other two Korean car giants, Kia and Hyundai. But slowly and steadily SsangYong is marking its presence and introducing models that will appeal to different segments of the society.
It delivers a power-packed performance. And it does it rather quietly and smoothly. The sound insulation of the cabin from the engine and outside noise is very good. There are three driving modes available to choose from; Eco, Power, and Winter mode. Even in Eco mode, it provides enough torque and power to get things going in a refined way. The handling of the vehicle, its big size notwithstanding is quite easy. The electronic power steering wheel does a good job of controlling the leaning and body roll well. You will not feel a bumpy ride even when the vehicle is loaded and it will adequately absorb the little bumps and shocks. Given a smooth ride on wide roads, the SsangYong Musso can give a fuel economy of around 16 km/liter. If the road conditions are adverse the average can fall to 10-11km/liter and expect further (7-9km/l) drop in congested city roads.
Lastly, we can say that the SsangYong Musso is a good addition to the crowded market of pickup trucks. It has a powerful engine and packed with many amenities and comfort features. It can be your go-to vehicle if you want to buy a pickup truck with the luxuries and comforts of a car or an SUV. You can even call it an SUV with a flatbed. Probably, the company wants to popularize this vehicle as a family car that can be used for family excursions as well as daily city commutes. There is so far only one variant available for sale in the Philippines. We hope the company would launch other variants, especially in the 4x4 category with additional safety and convenience features.
SsangYong Musso Pros and Cons
Pros
- Best interior in its category
- Stylish and modern exterior
- A powerful engine that is also very quiet
- Packed with all the features to make for a comfortable ride
- The price is pretty feasible for a vehicle of this class and category. The company is aiming for families as part of its target market as well
Cons
- There is no 4x4 variant. We wish it comes out soon because it is a pick up truck after all
- It could have added more convenience features like road stability and hill assist control
- Sometimes it feels they added too much style especially considering it is a pick-up truck, not a crossover or an SUV
