KGM hopes to be the brand you will want to drive and the KGM Actyon may be the SUV for you

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Car Reviewed: KGM Actyon K50 1.5L Petrol Auto

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First produced between 2005 and 2011 and subsequently between 2012 and 2018, the third-generation Actyon is the first fruit of KGM’s new-found investment. To get a foothold in the future generation of zero-emission vehicles and commercials, further vehicles—including a pick-up and an electric model—are already set up for this year and 2026.

Based on the existing Torres SUV foundation, the KGM Actyon sports an entirely new coupe-SUV body and eye-catching interior into which the British importers have placed every piece of equipment, which typically adds more to the price with rivals.

Matching hand-stitched black Nappa leather seats, red Nappa leather side inserts, premium materials including quality suede, TPU-wrapped door trims, carbon fibre, dark wooden finishes, and a brilliant crystal gear switch to blend refinement with the high-energy spirit of a coupe-style SUV inside the purposeful looking exterior.

An easy driving experience comes from noise-cancelling Michelin tyres, laminated front door glass, a dual 12.3’ digital cluster and infotainment display including TomTom navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and other vehicle information.

Luxurious touches see KGM’s first premium-quality steering wheel, providing a squared-off wider design that presents a clearer view of the instrument cluster, as well as new quick-access buttons and customisable ‘favourites’ settings to let the driver instantly access commonly used functions, including rear-seat sleep mode, navigation, route cancellation, and climate control.

Complementing this is ambient mood lighting, which provides 32 colours for customising so drivers may create a soothing environment for their tastes.

Safety comes first; the Actyon has a range of cutting-edge driver-assistance features. From lane-keeping assist to adaptive cruise control to autonomous emergency braking, the Actyon offers a range of features to enable drivers to remain safe on the road. It also has 3D 360˚ ‘surround view’ monitoring technology to guarantee simple and safe parking.

Under the bonnet sits a 163ps 1.5 turbo-petrol engine connected with a six-speed automatic gearbox, enabling three distinct driving modes encompassing eco, regular and sports settings, along with paddle shifters on the column for people who enjoy the experience of manual changes. Front-wheel drive is what it is.

Seating is for up to five persons with luggage space of 668 to 1568 litres. Towing, it will pull a 1.5-tonne caravan or trailer.

With a five-year or 100,000 miles guarantee, it costs £36,995, sitting at the top end of a KGM UK price range, most notably the Torres and Torres EV, which is significantly being lowered in the price for the 25-plate registrations. Prices are changing from February.

At the unveiling of the new Actyon K50, designating the brand’s highest trim level, marketing director Clive Messenger said – “the new car market was down 8% last year, but KGM sales were up 10%, and it hoped to lift its 73-strong UK dealer network to over 80 by the end of this year”.

With a specification that undercuts their nearest competitor in the SUV market by £2,300, the aim is to make the KGM brand a desired drive for predominantly retail shoppers and sell no more than 500 Actyon’s this year. Most sales will be won from other brands.

First driving impressions

From the exterior or inside, the new KGM Actyon is head-turning and striking; those who spend a lot of time behind the wheel will value the “favourites” menu choice on the steering wheel.

The seats are appealing and comfy back, the slim, long infotainment screen and key dials are easy to see and swiftly alter, and there is adequate space in the luggage area.

It was simple to switch between driving modes and utilise the paddles if preferred, and it had all the latest communications tools you would expect in a car costing far more money.

Steering felt a bit dead to the touch, even though the turning circle was good. The brakes were strong and the regular auto changes were very smooth, but ‘kick-down’ was slow to react. The ride was firmer than expected, possibly due to the 20-inch wheels and Michelin Tyres, which did not seem as quiet as expected. They did carry some road rumbles to the cabin.

On country roads with varying potholes and tarmac repairs, the ride was at times upset while it skipped around some corners, but it evened out on smoother surfaces. We computed it did roughly 30mpg without any electrical hybrid help.

Younger families or young at heart who watch their wallets and want a striking SUV, fully specced, with a lengthy warranty may just find the Actyon just what they are looking for.