Verdict
The Torres K40 is roomy and practical. However, the car’s thirst is off-putting, and there are more stable tow cars available for similar money.
Pros
- Spacious
- Solid choice for all-season touring or pitching up at farm sites
Cons
- Fuel economy
- Similarly priced options offer better stability
KGM may be unfamiliar – it’s the new name for SsangYong, the Korean SUV specialist. The Torres is KGM’s latest model, a mid-sized SUV to rival the likes of the Hyundai Tucson and Škoda Karoq. I’m testing the range-topping 4×4 version here, the KGM Torres K40 AWD.
What am I looking for?
Will the petrol engine be strong enough for towing? And is the Torres good value? Stability is one of the most important traits in the best cars to tow a caravan – how does the Torres shape up?
Towing ability of the KGM Torres K40 AWD
In its previous incarnation as SsangYong, KGM built a solid reputation for no-nonsense tow cars that undercut the price of their rivals. Off-road ability is also part of the brand’s DNA.
While the lower-specification Torres K30 is two-wheel drive, the top-spec K40 offers two-and four-wheel-drive versions.
Aside from the obvious benefit of improved traction, the 4×4 is the heavier model, with a kerbweight of 1618kg. This means that for the car/caravan match, it gives an 85% match weight of 1375kg, well within the 1500kg maximum towing figure.
For my test, I paired the KGM with a Bailey Unicorn Valencia with a MiRO of 1344kg.
There’s just one engine available, a 1.5-litre petrol with an automatic gearbox.

With 192 lb ft of torque, the engine has slightly more pulling power than the 1.5-litre TSI engine used in many Volkswagen Group SUVs. However, it needs to be revved hard to pull car and caravan up to speed with any sense of urgency.
The six-speed auto changes gear smoothly, aside from the occasional clunky downshift.
It’s important to know your speed limits when towing a caravan, with the limit on a motorway or dual carriageway 60mph. Once cruising at the 60mph, any engine noise fades into the background.
The Torres is reasonably stable on the motorway. There’s more side-to-side movement than you’d experience towing with the best mid-sized SUVs, but it’s restlessness rather than any worrying instability.
On country roads, the KGM continues to fidget, even with the weight of a caravan to calm it down. The likes of the Škoda Karoq offer a much more supple ride.
Four-wheel drive is a definite plus, though. Pull away on a slope and there’s no wheelspin in the dry, unless you are heavy-footed with the throttle. But you’ll be gathering speed rather slowly. Anyone swapping from a diesel SUV to the KGM petrol will miss the low-down pull of a good turbodiesel.
The Torres makes a solid tow car, especially for someone who regularly pitches up on farm campsites or enjoys winter caravanning. However, acceleration is no better than adequate, and there are more stable alternatives.
Solo driving the KGM Torres K40 AWD
The unsettled ride is the KGM’s biggest failing in daily driving. The Torres is uncomfortable if the surface isn’t utterly smooth.
Performance is rather steady, so overtaking will take a long, straight stretch of road and a heavy right foot. The Torres is better suited to steady and relaxed driving, with less cause to rev the engine hard. That helps to keep noise to acceptable levels, although you will hear some wind and road noise at speed.
On twisty roads, the K40’s vague steering and rather basic suspension mean this is not a car that likes to be hurried.

Around town, the automatic ’box is usually smooth, but the small lever takes a bit of getting used to. It returns to the same position and will only move one gear at a time, so it takes two taps to switch from ‘drive’ to ‘reverse’ and vice versa. It’s easy to select ‘neutral’ by mistake.
Forward visibility is good. However, thick rear pillars obstruct the view over your shoulder. Fortunately, the K40 comes fitted with a rear-view parking camera. This is also very useful if you need to hitch up to a caravan without someone to guide you towards the caravan towbar.
Space and practicality in the KGM Torres K40 AWD
While it’s far from the best family SUV from the driver’s seat, it is very roomy inside.
In the front, both driver and passenger have lots of headroom and legroom. There’s plenty of electrical adjustment to the driver’s seat and wheel, so it’s easy enough to find a comfortable driving position.
Go back 15 years or more and SsangYongs felt quite flimsy inside (and see what we made of buying a used Ssangyong Rexton if you are looking at the secondhand market. The KGM is much more solidly screwed together.
It seems to be made to last, although the materials lack the premium finish of some rivals.

The 12.3-inch infotainment system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although neither type of phone mirroring works wirelessly.
KGM’s designers have minimised the number of buttons on the dash, which benefits the cabin’s appearance more than ease of use.

Owners of family caravans will want to ensure everyone has enough space for the journey to the campsite, and in the KGM, I reckon even tall adults will have plenty of space in the back. The slight hump in the floor can get in the way for three in the rear, but the cabin is wide enough for this not to be too much of a problem.
Luggage space is plentiful. The official capacity is 703 litres, although that seems to include the space above the parcel shelf.
Buying and owning
Although the official list price of the K40 AWD is £39,995, KGM is currently offering it at a reduced price of £36,995. That makes it keenly priced compared with equivalents, but the Torres is not a bargain basement option.
Running costs will be high. Group 32 insurance means stiff premiums, and the official combined fuel economy figure of 31.1mpg is poor. I saw just 21.4mpg while towing.
Alternatives to consider
The Cupra Ateca 1.5 Eco TSI 150PS V2 DSG is an SUV that is fun to drive and offers stable, secure towing. Alternatively, the Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150PS R-Line is an option that continues to impress and one that we highly recommended when we put it to the test
Technical spec of the KGM Torres K40 AWD
- Price: £36,995
- What Car? Target Price: £36,995
- Retained value after three years: N/A
- Kerbweight: 1618kg
- 85% of kerbweight: 1375kg
- Gross vehicle weight: 2170kg
- Max towing limit: 1500kg
- Gross train weight: 3670kg
- Towball limit: 85kg
- Price of towball: £950
- Boot size: 703-1662 litres
- Payload: 552kg
- Test conditions: Dry
- Engine size: 1497cc
- Power (hp/rpm): 163@5000-5500
- Torque (lb ft/rpm): 192@1500-4000
- Official combined economy: 31.1mpg
- Towing economy: 21.4mpg
- CO2 emissions: 207g/km
- First year car tax: £1650
- Second year car tax: £190
- Insurance group: 32D
- Euro NCAP overall protection rating: N/A
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Technical Specifications
Engine Size | 1497 cc |
Kerbweight | 1618 kg |
85% KW | 1375 kg |
Towball Limit | 85 kg |
Maximum Towing Limit | 1500 kg |
Power | 163 bhp |
Torque | 192 lb ft |
Offical MPG | 31.1 mpg |
Towing MPG | 21.4 mpg |
CO₂ | 207 g/km |