If there is an important segment for SsangYong, that is the pick-up. Other products may be the best known in Spain, but globally it is without a doubt its star segment, which accounts for 40% of its total sales. A good part of them in Korea, a very protectionist market and that Kia or Hyundai do not work and where the SsangYong Musso Sports is sweeping.
Precisely from Korea is the new owner of SsangYong, the conglomerate of KG companies, after the failed adventures with SAiC (China) and Mahindra (India). The brand promises new product development and the first sample is this Musso Sports 2023.
The market for these vehicles was quite large until the financial crisis of 2008. It slowly went back to Covid (the end of the 100 km/h speed limitation helped) and now it is stagnant due to lack of availability.
This is not a problem for SsangYong. The new Musso has immediate availability. And hence their sales targets are very ambitious. Nothing less than 1,000 units this year. For this they have already closed agreements with organizations such as the army. Now it’s time to check what can help a professional or an individual.
The range is announced from 26,500 euros. A tricky rate, since it does not include taxes and includes brand discounts (with car financing). If you are interested, you know, look for SsangYong Musso Sports offers in our section of new cars, published and updated by official dealers of the brand.
Abroad
In other markets there are two bodies of the Musso Sports, but in Spain it is sold exclusively with the double cab body. It is very large, since it is 5,406 mm in length, with no less than 3,210 mm of wheelbase, something that results in good interior space and excellent load capacity.
And of course, as a good pick-up, it must look robust. We see it in its forms, starting at the front, with a huge grill that in the Limited finish is finished in black. It has LED headlights (HID in more equipped versions like the one we drove), in a high position, with the fog lights slightly lower, arranged vertically and with LED technology in our unit. In the lower area, the red crankcase cover stands out, very visible.
In the side view, the wheel arches have been outlined with a black trim. Under them, 18-inch black wheels in the most complete finish, with 255/60 tires. The simplest versions settle for 17-inch ones and don’t have the black and silver roof bars or chrome window surrounds.
Already in the rear, we can see the cover of the box, marked in black and with the name of the model clearly visible. The brand offers no less than seven colors for the bodywork: Grand White, Space Black, Marble Grey, Amazonia Green, Indian Red, Atlantic Blue and Galaxies Gray.
Inside
We couldn’t stop thinking about the SsangYong Rexton when we got into the cockpit of the Musso Sports. And that’s good, especially when we see the level of many of its rivals, at least in this highly equipped version, where we find everything from leather upholstery to other upholstered surfaces. There are hard plastics, but always solid-looking, as befits a vehicle of this type.
Behind the wheel we find a classic instrument panel, with clocks flanking a 3.5-inch screen for the on-board computer that you control from the steering wheel itself. It is not the only screen, because in the highest finish that we drove they reach 8 inches. Let’s face it, they are not overwhelming either by resolution or graphics, but they are correct. They do not include navigation, for this you have to connect a mobile phone, since they have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
This screen did not cause physical buttons to be abandoned (with a good touch), both for direct access to functions on the screen… or for air conditioning, which undoubtedly improves ergonomics. There are enough storage spaces and good space.
The driving position is high and the seats in these versions quite comfortable and of a good size. They do not hold the body too much in turns, but it is something that is not sought in this type of vehicle.
The space in the rear seats is also good, even for tall people. Three will be somewhat uncomfortable, but the width is better than that of direct rivals and also this is not a vehicle in which long trips are going to be made frequently. We have Isofix anchors on the sides and, although the bench is fixed, the backrests can recline up to 27 degrees. There is no shortage of air vents at the end of the center console, armrests with a couple of drink holders in it and you can include a chest under the seats to carry things, really wide.
Burden
A highlight of the SsangYong Musso Sports is its cargo capacity. It offers 1,262 liters of capacity, above the rivals in the segment. It is a very usable space, 1,610 mm deep, 1,570 mm wide and 570 mm high.
Regarding its load capacity, it is 1,085kg in the Pro version with manual gearbox, 1,075 kg in the automatic Pro and Premium versions. In the Limited that we drove, with multi-link suspension more designed for leisure, it is reduced from 870 kg.
The brand offers multiple accessories for the box. In fact, our unit had a chest, but you can choose covers, different bars or I include extra shock absorbers for closing, as well as rotating hooks or a 12 V socket.
Engine
The SsangYong Musso Sports moves thanks to an engine e-XDI 220 diesel, the same one that mounts the Rexton that we tested. It is a 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder engine with common rail direct injection, turbo, variable geometry, and intercooler. Delivery 202 hp of power at 3,800 rpm and a maximum torque of 400 Nm with manual gearbox and 441nm with automatic transmission, between 1,600 and 2,600 rpm.
Built on a frame of spars and cross members, the SsangYong Musso Sports features low-reduction, engageable all-wheel drive (with a 2.48:1 reduction) to move seamlessly around the field. It also has a self-locking rear differential: if one wheel slips or is left in the air, it forces both to turn at the same time to recover traction capacity. It also offers a Hill Descent Control (HDC) system and a Hill Start Assist (HSA) system, which also help.
Associated with the automatic transmission and the highest equipment level, it approves an expense of 8.9 l/100 km. It does not have superb performance, but it recovers very well, since it completes 80 to 120 km/h in
Behavior
While the front suspension is independent, with double wishbones and coil springs, there are two options for the rear. If you choose the Pro version, designed for work or cargo, you have crossbows as an elastic element. We had the Limited version, a multi-link type with coil springs, more intended as a leisure or recreational vehicle.
By sharing many elements with the Rexton, its driving is very reminiscent of a pick-up. Especially due to its size when maneuvering. Parking sensors will help in those struggles. It has also gained in quality of rolling and soundproofing of the cabin, in that sense it is at the level of its main rivals.
The suspension holds the body quite well on curvy roads… yes, taking into account that we are talking about a pick-up and climbing ports at a good pace is not his thing. This was precisely the first part of the test, a “hostile” environment for the vehicle we were driving. The destination: a real offroad route, in the countryside, no artificial obstacles designed to allow the car to pass cleanly through them.
Once there, you have to connect the all-wheel drive. In the selector you go from 2H (sends power to the rear axle) to 4H (torque to all four wheels) and to 4L (with reducer). The heights are not exceptional compared to some rival, but they are enough to move on very broken paths and with obstacles without problem. With a ground clearance of 220 mm, it has an attack angle of 19.5º, a ventral angle of 20º and a departure angle of 20.5º.
The SsangYong Musso Sports did not flinch despite the complexity of the environment. The ground was quite slippery, but with the reducer it was possible to continue the march without mishaps. And in those moments when one wheel leaves contact with the ground, you clearly perceive how the differential does its work. It has to skid a bit until it engages and you get traction again. The biggest difficulty was undoubtedly the large dimensions of the car, which made it necessary to pay attention to trees and stones in the narrowest areas.
Opinion cars.com
Those responsible for SsangYong said in their presentation that the Musso Sports is a product that fits the brand. Of course, it reinforces the image of a firm that has always stood out for its SUVs… and it comes at a time when production problems continue at other manufacturers.
With the Mitsubishi L200 out of the market and the new Volkswagen Amarok that has not yet arrived, only Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max or Ford Ranger have come up with an interesting rival. It stands out for its power, load capacity and equipment, for a contained price for what it offers.
They also play with the key factor of immediate delivery, vital in many cases when dealing with vehicles that are often used for work.
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