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By Jonathan Crouch

KGM's Torres mid-sized SUV looks a competitive proposition in all-electric EVX form. Jonathan Crouch takes a closer look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 46

The Torres was the SUV the KGM brand effectively launched with and this all-electric EVX version is a much more sophisticated take on this design. There's nothing particularly ground-breaking about the engineering on show here, but the styling certainly makes most rival mainstream models look bland.

Backgroundword count: 159

Korean maker KGM must be extremely thankful for the EV revolution. It'll certainly help the company here that electric vehicle customers are less sensitive than their combustion predecessors would have been when it comes to investing in an unknown brand - they have to be with new marques entering the European market now every few months. But here there's more. KGM is a re-branded name for the manufacturer we used to know as SsangYong. The company only has a future because of a shared development deal with Chinese maker BYD. Who mainly make EVs. Rather good EVs actually, which is why there's quite a spirit of optimism around KGM's UK importers when it comes to this car, the Torres EVX. This all-new mid-sized SUV first appeared with an old-school combustion engine rather at odds with its futuristic looks. In battery form, the whole package seems far more complete. But complete enough to seriously consider? Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 250

It's fortunate that few Torres EVX customers will be even aware that at the time of this model's launch, KGM sold another EV in this market space, the Korando E-Motion. If you do happen to be aware of that under-whelming model, forget about it now and concentrate on this BYD-engineered contender instead, because it's quite different. The Jeep-style rugged looks suggest some sort of dual motor AWD set-up, but nothing of that kind yet exists in a KGM showroom. Instead, the front axle offers a single 201bhp electric motor energised by a 73.4kWh battery, which when fully charged is apparently good for up to 287 miles. Goodness knows how much higher that figure would be if this Torres wasn't squarically-sized and, like all EVs, weighed down by its battery like a proverbial brick. Impressively, aided by 339Nm of torque, this EVX version has the same 1,500kg braked towing capacity as the 1.5-litre combustion model - which is likely to be a major customer draw. Don't expect cutting-edge drive dynamics - but since when has any EV crossover of this kind offered that? You're likely to find this one predictable, solid and refined, with plenty of camera safety kit for the longer journeys you might be tempted to take if you're not habitually afflicted with range anxiety. Don't expect off road capability quite as good as the combustion model, but KGM claims 'competitive' approach and departure angles and these are aided by a tough chassis fashioned from 81% high tensile steel.

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