SsangYong Musso Sports, the new pick-up arriving to carve out its own space at a competitive price

This is not the first time SsangYong has ventured into the world of pick-ups, although to recall the last of these models in Spain we have to go back about nine years, specifically to 2014, when the brand withdrew the Actyon Sports from the market, after ten years on sale without ever fully winning over prospective buyers.

Now the brand returns to the pick-up segment in Europe, Spain included, with a much more appealing product that is more versatile and offers updated technology: the Musso Sports. What we have here is a pick-up with a robust appearance and strongly defined lines that will undoubtedly turn heads in any of its three trim levels (Pro, Premium and Limited). That look can be highlighted thanks to the seven available body colours and the alloy wheels, which measure 17 or 18 inches depending on the trim chosen.

The SsangYong Musso Sports is also of considerable size, as it is a pick-up measuring 5,405 mm in length, with a width of 1,950 mm, a height of 1,885 mm and a wheelbase of 3,210 mm. However, what its future owners will no doubt appreciate most, regardless of how they plan to use it, is the size of its loading bed, with a length of 1,610 mm, a width of 1,570 mm and a height of 570 mm, which allow it to offer a load volume of 1,262 litres.

Where the SsangYong Musso Sports does show major differences is in its payload capacity, so future buyers will need to consider which trim to choose depending on how they intend to use it. The Pro with manual gearbox advertises a payload capacity of 1,085 kilograms thanks to the leaf springs fitted at the rear, a figure that is slightly reduced to 1,075 kilograms on the Pro and Premium with automatic gearbox. The Limited trim is designed as a pick-up for leisure or everyday use, so its suspension becomes multi-link with coil springs, and its payload capacity is lowered to 870 kilograms.

Stepping inside the SsangYong Musso Sports will feel somewhat familiar, as its design and materials are very similar to those of the Rexton. SsangYong, at the risk of sounding repetitive by fitting the same interior in another model, justifies this design decision by the ability to use an interior already proven and tested for material quality, and frankly they have a point, because once inside you will not know whether you are in a pick-up or a quality SUV.

Depending on the trim chosen, all of this comes with equipment that holds its own, to the extent that it even surpasses that of many high-end SUVs. It includes features such as dual-zone air conditioning, multifunction steering wheel, cruise control, rain and light sensors, an infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and heated seats and steering wheel. In addition, not forgetting the driver assistance and safety systems such as Electronic Stability Programme, Trailer Sway Control, Active Rollover Protection, Hill Descent Control, Brake Assist System, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Hill Start Assist, Traction Control System and Emergency Brake Warning Light.

On the mechanical side, the SsangYong Musso Sports also takes its cue from the Rexton, using the same engine block: the e-XDi 220 diesel, which delivers a power output of 202 CV, and can be paired with either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox, with torque of 400 Nm and 441 Nm respectively. The Musso Sports’ great advantage is that it has selectable four-wheel drive, a rear limited-slip differential and a low-range transfer case, which provides a 2.48:1 reduction ratio to tackle virtually any obstacle on rough terrain in low gears.

The new SsangYong Musso Sports is now available to order at the brand’s Spanish dealerships, with an undeniably competitive price that already includes the commercial discount, as follows: