KGM Musso EV review: An affordable Tesla Cybertruck rival with extra coolness

someone’s key electric vehicle Buying means thinking about how you use it. If you’re someone who drives a pick-up truck or van to work and most of your daily distance travel is done locally, an EV could save you serious cash. Even if you drive a short distance, an EV with 250 miles of range will probably be fine – and again, it will save you money if you charge at the lower rate tariff at home.

Likewise, if your pickup use is more out of convenience than the need to tow or tow heavy loads, an EV may make sense. Then there are also the tax benefits to business owners from going fully electric and the branding benefits of green growth.

So, it’s no surprise that pickup makers are racing to bring all-electric models to the UK. They’re already big news in the US – led by the controversial Tesla Cybertruck – but the Maxus Iteron 9 is the only one currently available here for over £53,000. tub,

Now Korean 4×4 specialist KGM is assessing whether to bring its Musso EV to the UK, which could be priced as low as £35,000 plus VAT, which would seriously undercut the Maxus.

The Musso promises about 250 miles on a full charge, a maximum payload capacity of 690 kg (slightly more than the Maxus), a good load bay measuring 1,345 mm x 1,515 mm with eight tie-down hooks, vehicle-to-load capability to power tools from batteries, a self-leveling suspension system and the ability to tow a trailer up to 1,800 kg. Is.

The best part, however, is the way the Musso EV drives: a car-like driving experience and a seriously comfortable ride rather than the usual bouncy pick-up experience. This is really impressive. Then you get all the driver assistance systems and creature comforts (you wanted heated and ventilated front seats? You got them) you could possibly want, plus plenty of clever cubbies for those who use the pickup as their office. Did I mention it looks great too?

The Musso EV is truly impressive. And if KGM can hit its target price of £35,000 plus VAT, it could make pick-ups cool again, as the Mitsubishi L200 did in the early 2000s.

How we tested

I spent time with the KGM Musso EV around the Cotswolds, taking it down tight country lanes, fast dual carriageways, around the packed streets of Cirencester and through local towns and villages. I checked all the numbers, took a look at the entire car (including the loading bay) and played with all the technologies to be able to reach a definite decision.

Independent Rating: 8/10

KGM Musso EV Specifications

Battery, range, charging, performance and drive

The Musso EV uses the same platform as the Torres SUV, which helps explain why it feels like a car to drive. However, the ride in the pick-up is really impressive.

Pickups tend to bounce around a lot, especially when empty. But the Musso EV was so comfortable despite bumps, I had to seek out really bad roads to make sure.

Pick-up drivers will also enjoy the speed, although you will have to be careful with your equipment in the back. With 204bhp of power, 0-62mph is accelerated in eight seconds, although in our test car there was a very slight delay before the power came on – more like old school turbo lag. More important is the good torque of 339NM.

The steering is fairly weighty and direct, while the all-wheel drive system responds immediately – even when provoked – when exiting turns quickly.

The large 80kWh battery is said to give around 250 miles of range – quite reasonable for daily use in a pick-up, and you’ll be able to fully charge it at home overnight, ready for the next day’s work. If you’re out and about, KGM says the Musso EV will charge up to 300kW – pretty impressive.

Interior, practicality and boot space

Let’s start with the most important spot with any pickup, the rear. Most EV pick-ups won’t currently match the load or trailer weight of diesel models, but the Musso still manages a maximum payload capacity of 690 kg and will tow a 1,800 kg (braked) trailer.

The space is 1,345 mm long and 1,515 mm wide with eight tie-down hooks, while the drop-down tailgate can hold 150 kg of weight. It has handy bumper stairs so you can access the rear, while KGM promises no limits on accessories like roll-top covers and hard canopies.

It also has vehicle-to-load capability, meaning – with the right adapter – you can power or charge devices on the go.

Inside, the cabin is very car-like with attractive design and good build quality. Some of the plastics are a bit ‘wipe-clean’, no bad thing in a work vehicle, but expensive for weekend family use and comfort.

There is ample luggage space inside, while there are also luxury features like heated and cooled seats and a heated steering wheel.

Technology, Stereo and Infotainment

You might expect a tough electric pickup to skimp on tech, but the KGM Musso EV plays a smart game. Beneath the rugged exterior and load-lugging attitude lies a cabin filled with modern infotainment and advanced driver assists that wouldn’t be out of place in a premium SUV.

The technological centerpiece of the Musso is a twin 12.3-inch digital display that links the instrument cluster with a crisp infotainment screen. It’s simple, intuitive and powered by KGM’s latest Athena 2.0 user interface, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both standard. There’s also a split-screen view and an upper pull-down menu – useful for quick access to drive modes – all angled slightly towards the driver.

Rear seat passengers haven’t been forgotten either, with the ‘Rear Sleep Mode’ muting the rear speakers for added peace. Wireless phone charging, USB-C ports on the front and back, and a 3D surround view monitor system all give the Musso a surprisingly advanced experience.

On the safety front, this is an SUV-grade kit. Highlights include adaptive cruise, lane-centering assist, automatic lane change, blind spot collision assist, and front cross-traffic alert. There’s also a system that helps you swerve when it detects danger – or gently takes over control if you’re distracted, thanks to its clever Driver Monitoring Camera.

Prices and operating costs

KGM is still saying it’s deciding whether to bring the Musso EV to the UK, but it’s aiming for a pre-VAT price (depending on assortment) of around £35,000. It would be really good value, with the only other EV pick-up on the market costing around £20,000 more.

Obviously, if you tow heavy equipment or a large caravan, or carry really heavy gear then an EV pick-up may not be the right choice. But the Musso EV can not only save owners some serious cash with the existing tax benefits around electric vehicles for business owners, but can also save on running costs if you’re able to charge it overnight on a low-rate electricity tariff.

KGM Musso EV Rivals

questions to ask

How long does it take to charge?

Using a 300kW rapid charger, the Musu EV charges from 10 to 80 percent in about 36 minutes. A 100kW charger takes 46 minutes, while a home 11kW setup takes about 10 hours.

How much does it cost – is it worth it?

If KGM can bring it to the UK and put it on sale for around £35,000 before VAT, then yes – it will definitely be worth it.

Does KGM replace batteries for free?

KGM generally provides competitive coverage in line with rivals. Expect at least five years for the vehicle and eight years for the EV battery.

Verdict: KGM Musso EV

If KGM wants to know whether or not the Musso EV should be brought to the UK, my answer is a resounding yes. It’s a cool vehicle that’s likely to generate widespread interest among pickup trucks because of its looks, the way it drives, what it can do, and how much it costs. If I were a business owner using a pickup, I’d seriously consider whether the Musso could save me some serious cash – I’d probably really enjoy using it, too.

Why trust us?

Our team of motoring experts has decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are tailored with every type of driver in mind. We thoroughly test every car we recommend, so you can be sure our judgments are honest, fair and authentic.