KGM Rexton SUV review – a tough seven-seat workhorse

Verdict - Is the KGM Rexton a good car?

On paper, a big seven-seat SUV that can tow 3,500kg, head off-road and boasts features like Nappa leather for just over £40,000 sounds too good to be true. If that’s what you require, then the Rexton is certainly worth further exploration, but if most of the time you’re just driving around town or the suburbs then the KGM’s shortcomings are likely to put you off. Its traditional underpinnings and single diesel engine mean it has poor ride comfort and it’s very thirsty, with no hybrid versions on offer.

KGM Rexton models, specs and alternatives

Following SsangYong’s recent rebrand, the KGM Rexton is the South Korean company's large SUV and its maker sees it as offering a good-value alternative to a Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe, which it significantly undercuts on price.

Value is undeniably the Rexton's strongest suit, as few SUVs can match it for size, equipment or towing ability in the £40,000 price bracket. Even the entry-level K30 model has seven seats as standard and can tow up to 3,500kg – the same as a Land Rover Discovery.

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Take a seat in the Rexton and the initial impression is of a car that’s pretty well screwed together. The top K50 trim we tested even gets Nappa leather seats and suede dashboard trim. You quickly realise, though, that many of the interior materials in less visible places are rather more ordinary – it’s apparent where budgets have been reined in.

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You wouldn't know it to look at the equipment list, though – all models offer dual zone air-conditioning, a heated steering wheel, LED headlamps and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. K50 brings niceties like a powered sunroof and 20-inch polished alloy wheels.

The car is powered by a 199bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine, which is 20bhp more than before the facelift in 2021. The other big news is that the old Mercedes seven-speed automatic gearbox has been replaced with a more modern eight-speed gearbox made by Hyundai. It gives the Rexton grunty performance on the road, and it now changes gears more smoothly, but it’s surprisingly vocal under acceleration next to its rivals. However, it's the selectable four-wheel drive system and low-ratio mode that really separate it from SUV rivals, along with its very traditional separate-chassis construction that's shared with the KGM Musso pickup truck.

This is either a blessing or a curse, depending on how you intend to use the Rexton. It lends the KGM rather dull responses, with overly vague steering and a ponderous feel around corners. But, it’s the ride that’s the worst affected, picking out road imperfections you don’t notice in most other SUVs.

The Rexton finds its true calling in life as a practical workhorse. If bought for heavy-duty family use, it undeniably offers a lot of metal for your money, and is more civilised inside – not to mention more versatile in seven-seat form – than a four-door pick-up like the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger or Isuzu D-Max. It could also be seen as an alternative to a used Land Rover Discovery, or even a Defender, such are its off-road credentials. It's also capable of towing a huge 3,500kg – that's far more than a Skoda Kodiaq can manage.

Unfortunately, the Rexton's sub-par 32.9mpg fuel consumption may eat into the money saved by its low purchase price, and CO2 emissions well over 200g/km will put company car users off choosing the KGM. However, the Rexton should be fairly durable, and the five-year/100,000-mile warranty is pretty generous.

Overall, though impaired by its separate chassis when it comes to driver appeal, the Rexton makes a well-equipped family car, and a very practical alternative to a new pickup or nearly-new SUV. However, its excellent value-for-money decreases as you move up through the range, so the entry-level K30 model is our pick.