KGM Actyon Review – Coupe Crossover with Surprising Substance

IF the name KGM doesn’t immediately ring any bells, perhaps its former identity, SsangYong, will. The South Korean brand first landed on UK shores back in the early ‘90s, primarily known for reimagining Mercedes-Benz hardware on a budget. Models like the Rexton bore more than a passing resemblance to early M-Class SUVs.

Now, rebranded as KGM (Korea Global Mobility) and under new ownership by the KG Group, the company has been taking a fresh run at the European market.

The Actyon nameplate isn’t entirely new – it last appeared in the UK in 2018, slapped onto a peculiar-looking SUV/pickup hybrid that sold in limited numbers. The latest KGM Actyon is, however, a completely clean-sheet design with no visual or mechanical links to its oddball ancestor. And thank goodness for that.

Arriving in a fiercely competitive segment packed with challengers like the Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai, and Skoda Kodiaq – not to mention the onslaught of newer Chinese entrants (BYD, Omoda, etc.) – the Actyon must prove it’s more than a curiosity.

Kerb Appeal

The Actyon is one of those cars that makes you pause, tilt your head, and go “Actually… yeah, that’s quite smart.” Viewed front-on, it almost gives the impression of being electric, thanks to a low-set grille and a full-width LED lightbar where you’d typically expect a conventional grille. The eight-part lightbar forms a striking signature, supported by sleek, wraparound headlights sitting just below the edge.

From the rear, the styling is, again eye-catching. A sloping roofline and a full-width taillight bar give it a premium, coupe-like silhouette – think Range Rover Velar on a tighter budget. Black accents around the tailgate and brake light housing offer a very modern finish, although I can’t help feeling the rear light clusters look a tad small.

It’s certainly more resolved than many of its rivals, even if the front-end treatment remains slightly divisive. That said, beauty is always subjective and the Actyon at least looks like a car designed this decade.

On the Road

Under the bonnet, the Actyon is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox, sending power to the front wheels only. It’s good for 163PS and 280Nm of torque, which gets it from 0-62mph in 10.8 seconds.

It’s not fast but it delivers enough low-down torque to feel lively around town. The gearbox, while generally smooth, can be reluctant to upshift under heavier throttle use, often holding onto revs longer than necessary. It also lags when moving between Drive and Reverse, which can become mildly frustrating during tight parking manoeuvres.

Refinement is a mixed bag. The engine gets gruff under strain, but cruising between 20–40mph, it’s impressively hushed – aided by laminated glass and a set of Michelin noise-cancelling tyres. Motorway manners are perfectly acceptable, though anything approaching spirited driving reveals a lack of dynamic polish.

Body roll is kept in check reasonably well, but the steering is rather light and devoid of meaningful feedback. The Actyon isn’t unpleasant to drive but nor does it excite. It’s a car that feels happy to be driven gently and is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace.

And it was a relaxed pace that Mrs. B and I took on a 200-mile round trip to Roxburghshire to visit friends who were staying at Bemersyde House – the former residence of Field-Marshall Haigh.

This is a beautiful house which dates back to the 16^th century, and I must say the Actyon didn’t look out of place parked outside such a splendid and imposing building.

We arrived feeling as fresh as daisies, which brings us to ride comfort, which is firm but acceptable. The Actyon sits on 20-inch alloys as standard, and while it doesn’t crash through potholes, it does transmit more of the road’s surface than some rivals. It’s notably better than its larger sibling, the Torres, but there’s still room for improvement.

At least those annoying bings and bongs are easily silenced by a swift swipe down on the infotainment screen which presents the shortcuts that can be nigh-on impossible to find in other cars.

The Inside Story

KGM’s cabin design is a dramatic departure from the dated, utilitarian layouts of old SsangYongs. There’s a genuine sense of occasion here, especially in the single ‘K50’ trim available in the UK. Think black and red Nappa leather seats, red seatbelts, suede door panels, ambient lighting, and even a crystal gear selector.

Both front seats are heated, ventilated, and electrically adjustable in eight ways, while the outer rear seats are heated as well – a rarity in this price bracket. Laminated glass and acoustic insulation help elevate cabin serenity, although some engine and road noise still seeps through under load.

The twin 12.3-inch digital displays dominate the dashboard, one serving as a digital instrument cluster, the other as an infotainment touchscreen. The graphics are sharp, and the layout is logical, but the system’s processing power doesn’t quite match its visual promise. Response times can be sluggish, and the decision to bury climate controls within the screen is, frankly, a misstep.

There are at least physical shortcut buttons and customisable menus to ease the pain, but KGM would do well to follow rivals in reinstating some basic tactile controls.

No matter, just like most people we fired up the wireless Apple CarPlay and enjoyed our Spotify playlists, while relying on Google Maps to get us to our destination.

Material quality overall is commendable. Harder plastics are mostly hidden out of sight, and soft-touch surfaces appear in all the right places. It doesn’t feel premium in an Audi sense, but it’s leagues ahead of earlier efforts and comfortably up to class standards.

Despite its sloping roofline, the Actyon is surprisingly roomy. The front seats offer ample head and legroom, and the wide centre console gives a decent sense of space between occupants. Rear passengers fare even better – there’s loads of legroom and more headroom than the rakish roof would suggest.

Rear seats also recline up to 32.5 degrees, although they don’t slide. Visibility is reasonable up front, though the thick rear pillars and shallow rear window hamper rearward visibility. Thankfully, the standard 360-degree camera and parking sensors help take the stress out of reversing.

Storage is generous, with wide door bins, multiple USB-C ports, trays, a wireless charging pad, and even integrated coat hooks behind the front seats.

Boot space is the ace up the Actyon’s sleeve. At 668 litres with the seats up, it trounces most of its rivals. Fold them flat (60:40 split) and you get a cavernous 1,568 litres of space with a near-flat floor. It’s square, accessible, and thoughtfully designed — ideal for everything from buggies to camping gear.

Conclusion

The KGM Actyon is, without question, the most convincing car the company (including its SsangYong days) has ever made. It looks good, boasts a handsome and well-appointed interior, and delivers space, equipment, and practicality in spades.

However, it isn’t without flaws. The ride is on the firm side, the infotainment system could be more responsive, and the reliance on a petrol engine with modest economy (33.1mpg WLTP) and high CO₂ emissions (194g/km) results in steep running costs. Disappointingly there is no electric assistance in the Actyon. Not a hybrid in sight, which is unusual currently and will deter a lot of potential buyers.

The Actyon is only available in a single, well-specced K50 trim. While this simplifies things, it also means its rivals can undercut it with cheaper, lower-spec alternatives. Still, what you get for your money is generous, and for private buyers who value equipment and design over badge snobbery, there’s plenty to like.