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Archive for the ‘midsize cars’ Category

The Kia Proceed Concept turned a lot of heads at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. Initially thought of as a design study to determine the design direction of the next-generation Ceed, the positive reception surrounding the concept forced Kia to rethink its initial plans for the car. A production version is now in the works, and word on the street is that it will make its debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show this October.

The 2019 Honda Odyssey is now available, and it carries over from that year with next-to-nothing in the way of upgrades. The minivan looks the same, the engines remain the same, and the usual features remain the same. The new Odyssey does come with price hikes across its entire trim, ranging from $150 to $1,000, so that’s something that qualifies as a “change.”

Unveiled earlier this year, thenew Volkswagen Jetta is a big step forward from the nameplate, as it looks more elegant and features a more upscale interior. On the flipside, it lacks the sportiness of its predecessor. This will change soon with the Jetta GLI model, which is rumored to arrive with the same engine and suspension setup as the Golf GTI. Needless to say, this is great news!

Look at that white E60 BMW go…

Consumer Reports does not like the new GMC Terrain. Actually, that might be an understatement of its own because the publication just laid the smackdown on the new Terrain, squashing the SUV in one of the most damning video reviews we’ve seen in a while. There was a lot said in the space of three minutes, and almost all of them were criticisms of the Terrain. It may only be an opinion of one man — in this case, Autos Editor Mike Quincy — but the beatdown isn’t going to make the Terrain look any better in the eyes of consumers.

The originally Ford GT40 was designed to make a fool out of Enzo Ferrari at Le Mans, but that might as well be a lifetime ago. Then, Ford decided it would step into the supercar market with the second-generation of the model, calling it nothing more than the “Ford GT.” Sexy and sleek, powerful and fast – these words easily describe the GT40. It’s got that low-slung supercar look and, despite hauling around just a 3.5-liter V-6, it can deliver 647 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque. That’s good enough to hit 60 mph in 3.0 seconds, 100 mph in 6.2 seconds, and 130 mph in 10.1 seconds. If you’re brave enough to pin it for 21.4 seconds, you can hit 170 mph too. That’s great, and all, but the GT was a very limited model, and Ford did some serious vetting when it came to who got to own one. We’re guessing you probably weren’t one of those guys so if you’re still itching for some Ford GT, go ahead and download one of our hand-picked wallpapers!

First hitting the scene in 1997, the Subaru Forester has seen a total of four generations come and go over the years. Now, there’s a new fifth generation for the compact crossover SUV making its big debut at the 2018 New York International Auto Show. Framed as the “roomiest, most capable and most versatile Forester ever made,” this latest five-door brings all the right stuff for those weekend getaways, not to mention fresh styling, loads and loads of space, a bit more power, and a fresh suite of safety tech to boot.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2019 Subaru Forester.

It’s beautiful, it’s Italian, and it’s about to be on your desktop. Go ahead, download it and make it your own!

It just recently debuted but nobody can seem to get enough of it. Maybe it’s that four-door coupe look, or maybe it’s the fact that it has five doors. Maybe it’s that it sits lower and is wider than the RS5 Coupe. It could be that 2.9-liter with 444 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Even if you plan on getting one, you’ve still got a while to wait, so why not plaster it all over your desktop with one of our high-resolution wallpapers?

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the family of Anton Yelchin have finally settled the lawsuit that was filed by the latter over the unfortunate and untimely death of the Star Trek actor. A report from Reuters reveals that the case was wrapped up in Los Angeles Superior Court last week, putting the rest a legal battle that had been ongoing for the last 20 months.

Unlike most automakers, Mazda is one of the few companies that have yet to offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. That’s about to change, though, because the Japanese car brand is finally relenting. Beginning with the 2018 Mazda 6 that will hit dealerships this summer, Mazda will finally offer either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. In the case of the 6, all trims except for the base Sport model will carry the apps as standard equipment.

All kinds of new cars are debuting at the New York Auto Show and here sits the Hyundai Tucson looking like it did last year, without that impressive 1.6-liter engine or a DCT transmission. Little tweaks outside did leave time for some more refinement inside, but in terms of powertrain technology, Hyundai has definitely taken a step backward, a move that could put it in an unrecoverable position in its fight against models like the Ford Edge and Chevy Equinox. Hyundai did bring some redesigned wheels and now offers a second-row USB charger too. Is that enough to consider the 2019 Tucson as a new model? Yeah, probably not, but keep reading for the finer details.

First introduced in 1997, the Subaru Forester has seen a total of four generations come and go, with last SJ model arriving back in 2013. Now, Subaru is introducing a brand-new fifth generation at the 2018 New York International Auto Show, and it looks to offer customers a more comfortable cabin and a safer ride. Unfortunately, the Forester’s turbocharged
variant, the XT, didn’t make the cut, and neither did the manual gearbox.

Continue reading for the full story.

Lynk & Co. is making another statement with the launch of its latest vehicle, the eponymously named 02 crossover. Unveiled in Amsterdam, the 02 — it’s pronounced as “zero-two” — is the latest creation from the off-the-cuff sub-brand that Chinese automaker Geely created in 2016. Despite its name, the 02 is actually the third model to come out of Lynk & Co., following in the footsteps already laid by the 01 SUV and the 03 saloon. The compact crossover is expected to spearhead the automaker’s plan to ingratiate itself to a younger market that embraces a “shareable and ultra-connected” lifestyle with plans to offer the model online or through a subscription service.

The SUV and crossover market is about as jam-packed as it could possibly be and yet automakers still manage to cram yet another model into the mix. Case in point: the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas five-seater. Essentially a smaller version of the seven-seater Atlas we were introduced to in 2018, it promises to provide a slightly smaller footprint on the road with seating for five. Of course, this specific niche is already filled by the Tiguan, so there’s a bit of confusion here, but maybe not. See, the Touareg won’t be offered in the U.S. after 2018, so the seven-seater Atlas will become the range-topping “luxury” model while the five-seater Atlas will take its place above the Tiguan. We don’t know much about the five-seater as of now, but let’s talk a little more about it.

We love a good Lego build as much as anyone, but this latest project from Toyota is pretty dang ambitious. It’s a life-size creation of the new Camry, and it’s got pretty much every detail of the curvaceous four-door
perfectly recreated in brick form.

Continue reading for the full story.

The Full Story

You gotta love it when carmakers get a tie-in with Lego. Whether it’s reliving the glories of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a mini Ford GT40 or getting technical with the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, we all win when Lego takes its cues from the four-wheeled machines we all know and love.

And that’s why we’re digging this full-size Camry. Much like we saw with the full-size Lego McLaren 720S just last year, this Toyota is a mighty impressive creation.

Taking responsibility for its design and construction is Ryan “the Brickman” McNaught, one of just 14 Lego certified professional builders in the world, and the only one in the southern hemisphere.

“The real trick about needing to see this car in the flesh is Lego bricks are square and rectangular. This car does not have a flat line on it,” says McNaught.

After getting all the specs from Toyota, McNaught did a little “brick” math to figure out how many pieces were needed to put the thing together. Once the bricks were delivered in an enormous shipping container, the build began.

All told, the Lego Camry took two months to complete, with a total of 900 hours spent over the course of eight weeks, which is 40 times longer than the construction of a real Camry. The cost of the bricks alone was more than the actual car, with more than 500,000 individual bricks used. The full-size replica also weighs over two metric tonnes (4,409 pounds), which is 0.4 tonnes (882 pounds) more than the actual car.

Look closely, and you’ll see tons of little details, such as inch-perfect Toyota logos and badges, as well as fully functioning light-up headlights, turn signals and brake lights.

The Lego Camry makes its debut at the Brickman Awesome exhibit in Melbourne, Australia, and will be on display between Wednesday, March 21st and Sunday, April 29.

References

Read our full review on the 2018 Toyota Camry.

The Altima name goes back to the mid-1980s when it was used on a top-trim line of the Nissan Leopard and the Central American version of the Laurel. It became a stand-alone marque in 1992 when it replaced the Stanza in the U.S. Built in Tennessee starting with the 1993 model year; the Altima became one of the brand’s most successful vehicles in North America. To meet the high demand, Nissan is now building the sedan in two U.S. plants. With annual sales of more than 250,000 units during the past seven years, the fifth-generation is by far the most successful version of the Altima. But the current sedan is being phased out as we speak, with a new model set to be unveiled at the 2018 New York Auto Show in April.

Redesigned from the ground up, the sixth-generation Altima will employ a new design language based on the Vmotion 2.0 concept car from 2017. The actual styling is still a mystery though, as Nissan released only one teaser as of this writing, and the said rendering doesn’t seem to have too much in common with a production model. The redesign is also supposed to introduce a new interior with more premium features, new technology, and revised engines under the hood. Stay tuned for updates from New York and keep reading to find out what we already know about the upcoming Altima.

Continue reading to learn more about the Nissan Altima.

2019 Nissan Altima Exterior

With just a rendering that shows a concept-style front end and some of the profile, it’s really difficult to paint a picture here. One thing to notice is that the teaser photo actually shows a rendering that’s heavily based on the Nissan Vmotion 2.0 concept that we saw at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show.

The Altima teaser sports the same big V-motion grille flanked by slender headlamps, as well as an aggressive bumper with big vents. The grille and the bumper are clearly inspired by the concept car, although the latter doesn’t have a honeycomb mesh and it’s shape is somewhat trapezoidal shape. The headlamps are similar in terms of shape and size, but the LED pattern is much simpler, being shaped like an angular hockey stick.

Note: current Nissan Altima pictured here.

Moving onto the sides, we can see more similarities between the Vmotion 2.0 concept and the Altima rendering, starting with the beltline that flows from the edge of the headlamp and moves all the way to the C-pillar. There’s even the heavily sculpted side skirts, but they’re not as aggressive as on the concept car. The swept up design of the C-pillar is present here as well as a modern interpretation of a design feature seen on most current Nissans.

Now that we’ve compared the rendering and the concept car, it’s time to conclude that we still don’t know nothing about the upcoming Altima. The production model won’t look anything like this rendering, even though some design cues will make it on the sedan. We could see a similar beltline and glasshouse design and even a similar engine hood, but the bumper won’t be as aggressive. The headlamps will most certainly look a bit different, while the grille won’t be as big.

2019 Nissan Altima Interior

Note: current Nissan Altima pictured here.

It’s hard to tell what the Altima will look like on the inside with no photos or renderings available, but the redesign should bring a brand-new configuration and an updated tech package.

Although not bad given the segment and the price tag, the interior of the current Altima needs a serious makeover. Nissan needs to get rid of the cluttered center stack and add a much larger infotainment system. An all-digital instrument cluster would also be nice, at least in the more expensive trims. I’d also like to see a more modern steering and a center console that doesn’t look like a big hunk of plastic.

Tech-wise, it should get Nissan’s latest infotainment and navigation systems, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Zero Gravity seats should get a makeover too with heavier bolstering and new, softer materials. Higher trims will probably get leather upholstery and colored accents on the steering wheel, door panels, and the seats.

The new generation should also offer increased legroom and shoulder room for both first and second-row passenger. The trunk is likely to grow as well.

2019 Nissan Altima Performance

Note: current Nissan Altima engine pictured here.

Drivetrain information is not yet available, but there’s a big chance that the upcoming Altima will continue with the existing engines, so expect the sedan to be offered with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit and a 3.5-liter V-6. Both engines will likely arrive with significant upgrades, but the displacement and cylinder layout will remain the same.

The 2.5-liter four-pot cranks out 179 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque in the current configuration. The revised internals will a bit of extra oomph, but don’t expect anything beyond the 200-horsepower mark. Fuel economy should also improve, so expect more than the current 38 mpg highway and 27 mpg city.

Next up is the 3.5-liter V-6, a mill that’s rated at 270 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque in the current sedan. I’d say that this engine will get close to 290 horses with all the updates, but the increase could be smaller is the new Altima loses a lot of weight. Fuel economy should increase by a couple of mpgs over the current 32 mpg highway and 22 mpg city.

A revised Xtronic CVT transmission should replace the current unit. The Altima will continue to be a front-wheel-drive model. Whether AWD will become an option is still a mystery.

2019 Nissan Altima Pricing

As with all new-generation models, a price increase is to be expected here. The current Altima retails from $23,260, so the new sedan could start from around $25,000. Pricing for the range-topping model could increase from $33,630 to around $35,000.

2019 Nissan Altima Competiion

Toyota Camry

The Altima goes against stiff competition in this niche, starting with all-popular Toyota Camry. Redesigned in 2017, the current Camry has a surprisingly sporty design that borrows features from the luxury-oriented Lexus brand. Unless Nissan comes up with something really exotic, the Altima will have a difficult time against the Camry in the design department. The sedan’s new interior is equally dramatic and feels more upscale than before. The driver-centric dash and center stack. The digital instrument cluster and the premium materials are proof that Toyota no longer makes boring cars for senior citizens. Under the hood, the base model comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet, while the V-6 version gets its juice from a 3.5-liter unit with 301 horses and 267 pound-feet. Unlike Nissan, Toyota also offers a hybrid model with a total system output of 208 horsepower and 312 pound-feet. Pricing for the new Camry starts from $23,495, while the V-6 model comes in at $34,400. The hybrid version retails for $27,800.

Read our full review of the 2018 Toyota Camry.

Honda Accord

The Accord is yet another big name in this niche and the only midsize that threatens Toyota’s supremacy in this segment. Much like the Camry, the Accord got a massive makeover in its latest generation. Introduced in 2015, the current Accord is sportier, more elegant, but also a bit larger for a more upscale look and roomier interior. The Accord’s cabin might not be as sporty as the Camry’s, but it has a straightforward, simple design that’s pleasing to the eye. All models come with the Multi-Angle Rearview Camera and Expanded View Driver’s Mirror, while the Touring trim gets auto high-beam headlamps, a first for the Accord. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were also introduced on the latest model. The range begins with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 185 horsepower and 181 pound-feet. While not as powerful as the Camry, this model probably has what it takes to give the new entry-level Altima a run for its money. Moving over into V-6 territory, Honda’s 3.5-liter unit is good for a solid 278 horses and 252 pound-feet of torque. A hybrid model is available as well. Pricing starts from $22,455 and goes up to $30,920 for the range-topping model. The hybrid comes in at $29,605 before options.

Read our full story on the 2018 Honda Accord.

Conclusion

Note: current Nissan Altima pictured here.

It’s hard to tell how the new Altima will do on the market with next to no official info available yet, but we know for a fact that Nissan wants to launch a solid midsize sedan at the New York Auto Show. The Altima has been doing really well in the U.S. in recent years with sales of more than 300,000 units per year and Nissan doesn’t want to screw up. If things go well, the Altima may finally have a shot at climbing above the Honda Accord, but it all depends on what the new sedan has to offer. And we will find out more about that at the 2018 New York Auto Show next month.

• Love it
  • * Design based on Vmotion 2.0 concept
  • * More upscale interior
  • * Upgraded engines
• Leave it
  • * Stiff competition
  • * Crowded segment
  • * Not much is known about it

References

Read our full review on the 2017 Nissan Altima.

Read our full review on the 2017 Nissan Vmotion 2.0 concept car

Read more Nissan news.

Read more New York Auto Show news.

If you find yourselves in the Big Apple next week for the New York Auto Show, you’ll notice that Hyundai’s booth at the show will have a decidedly crossover and SUV feel to it. That’s the because the Korean automaker is preparing to showcase a number of crossovers and SUVs at the show. Among the models that have been confirmed include the new Santa Fe, a refreshed Tucson, and most importantly an electric version of the Kona crossover.

While it’s true that some of these models already made their world debuts at the Geneva Motor Show — the Santa Fe and the electric Kona, in particular — neither of them have been checked out by customers here in the U.S. They’ll get their chance to do that at the New York Auto Show in a week’s time.

Both the Santa Fe and the Kona have something different to offer, too. The five-passenger SUV takes the reigns from its predecessor, the Santa Fe Sport, and slots just below the Santa Fe XL. As it was shown in Geneva, the new model will be offered with a few engine options, including a 2.4-liter four-cylinder unit that has 185 horsepower on tap and a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that can produce 232 horsepower. Hyundai is also offering a 2.2-liter turbodiesel unit that will be available exclusively on the XL version.

The Kona EV, on the other hand, will get all of its power from an electric motor that produces 132 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque with a 39.2-kWh-battery that comes with an impressive range of 186 miles. If that doesn’t suit your fancy, the Korean automaker is also offering a higher-spec version of the Kona with an electric motor that produces 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque with a 64 kWh battery that can run on a single charge for a distance of 292 miles.

You might think that the Santa Fe and Kona are headed to New York as rehashed debutantes. That’s fair, considering where they were earlier this month. But, Hyundai is also throwing in a treat in the form a refreshed Tucson that will make its official debut in New York. Not much is known about this model, but previous spy shots have hinted at a major design change compared to its predecessor.

So as we count down to the days that lead up to the New York Auto Show, keep a keen eye on for Hyundai and all the crossovers and SUVs it’s bringing to the dance.

References

Read our full review on the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Read our full review on the 2019 Hyundai Tucson.

Read our full review on the 2019 Hyundai Kona EV.

Read more Hyundai news.

Read more New York Auto Show news.

It wasn’t that long ago when Volkswagen proudly unveiled the hulking, seven-passenger Atlas SUV. It’s also not taking VW long to bolster its SUV lineup once again now that it announced plans to build a new five-passenger model that will serve as a smaller version of the aforementioned Atlas. Details are still scarce on what model this is going to be, but according to VW, it’s going to be designed and engineered for the U.S. market. As such, a concept version will be unveiled at the 2018 New York Auto Show next week.

There’s never really a day when there isn’t news about a crossover or an SUV. Yesterday, it was Mercedes-AMG. Today, it’s Volkswagen. Tomorrow? Who knows. What this all means, though, is clear, Crossovers and SUVs will continue to dominate the headlines for as long as they remain the most popular vehicles in the world today. That’s unlikely to change anytime soon, which is why we’re seeing a company like Volkswagen add another crossover to its lineup.

Details are still scarce about the five-seater Atlas, but Volkswagen did release a rendering of the concept model that’s headed to the 2018 New York Auto Show. Based on the image, it’s easy to see the similar design characteristics the model shares with the seven-seater Atlas. The three-bar front grille is similar to the one found on the Atlas, though the concept does show more integrated headlights compared to the ones found on the seven-seater SUV. The lower section looks sportier than the Atlas, which suggests that Volkswagen could be developing this model to be a “coupe-crossover” to give it an identity of its own relative to the Atlas. The body lines also share some similarities to the Atlas’ own character line. This could be one of the ways Volkswagen is planning to link the two models.

It is understood, though, that Volkswagen is developing this new crossover with the intention of giving it an identity of its own. It’s even investing around $340 million to produce it in its production facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. There are strong indications that we might even see it sooner than expected, possibly in the next few years. The timetable for the crossover’s launch isn’t set in stone yet, but it would be interesting to see how Volkswagen rearranges its current crossover and SUV lineup to fit this new model in without it overlapping on one of the existing models that in the market today.

For now, our best guesses are as good as yours. The good news is that we won’t have to wait too long to find an answer from Volkswagen. A near-production concept is headed to New York next week, at which point we should be able to learn more about the new crossover and, just as important, Volkswagen’s plans for it.

Editor’s Note: Rumor has it that the next-gen VW Toureg won’t be coming to the U.S. Market so, while the smaller Atlas my serve as a more affordable entry point, it could serve as a spiritual replacement for Toureg, keeping VW’s SUV lineup full.

References

Read our full review on the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas.

Read our full driven review on the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas.

Read more Volkswagen news.

Read more New York Auto Show news.

The pick-up market seems to be really heating up overseas, and South Korean automaker SsangYong is capitalizing on the growing segment with the introduction of the updated 2018 Musso at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show. In case you were unaware, SsangYong has been making 4×4 vehicles for more than six decades, and enjoys its position as South Korea’s only SUV and 4×4 specialist manufacturer. As such, the Musso pick-up joins SsangYong’s new flagship Rexton SUV to bolster it’s rough-and-ready portfolio.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2018 SsangYong Musso.

2018 SsangYong Musso Exterior

SsangYong says the exterior styling of the Musso was inspired by “the dignified motion of nature,” or more concretely, the company’s latest design language, otherwise known as Nature-born 3 Motion. The aesthetic looks to offer rugged good looks that help it stand out as a capable, near-premium vehicle.

Let’s start in front, where we find chrome embellishments that stretch across the grille insert, adding an extra sense of width to the stance. The “shoulder wing” grille design is carried over from other models in the make’s lineup, stretching between the headlights in a hexagonal shape.

There’s also flat-black coverings along the lowest edge, which continue around into the profile and to the rear. The headlight housings are sharp, leading into the front fenders with a pointed outer edge.

Moving to the profile, we find additional character lines leading to the rear. These add a sense of muscle-bound strength, with sinewy details that visually increase the Musso’s exterior dimensions.

The doors get a new design feature meant to cover the sills and lower portions of the body, thus ensuring passengers don’t track in dirt from the flanks of the vehicle. The range-topping trim level comes equipped with appropriately large 20-inch wheels with a chrome finish.

When viewed from the rear, the Musso gets a tall, boxy stance, a characteristic enhanced even further thanks to the the tall taillight housings.

2018 SsangYong Musso Interior

Step up into the cabin of the Musso, and you’ll find a five-seater layout, with two passengers in front and three fitting onto the rear bench.

In terms of available space, the Musso looks to be pretty solid for the segment. It’s also rather upscale in terms of appointment and refinement. The latest 2018 model arrives with an all-new interior design that’s meant to mimic the premium feel of a top-shelf SUV, while still being durable enough to stand up to the rigors of normal use in a pick-up truck model.

To help underline its premium approach, the 2018 Musso includes the option for Nappa leather upholstery on the seats for the range-topping trim level. Heated front seats with a ventilation feature are also offered on “most” models.

Another crucial factor to the vehicle’s refined feel is the level noise, vibration, and harshness levels, or NVH, and the Musso delivers on this front thanks the the inclusion of eight individual body mounts, polyester wheel-arch linings, updates to the engine bay seals, and larger rubber engine mounts, all of which should help to take away the bouncy ride and noisy cabin that’s so common among pickup models. Further wind noise reduction comes courtesy of fourfold door seals and aero-efficient wiper blades.

On the infotainment front, the Musso gets DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity as standard across the range. All models excluding the base model come with Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto smartphone support, as well as an 8.0-inch infotainment screen and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Electric windows, central locking, and air conditioning are also included as standard, as is a six-airbag safety system.

2018 SsangYong Musso Drivetrain

Behind that long chrome line in the grille, the Musso gets the same engine spec as the previously released Rexton SUV. Dubbed the e-XDo220, this 2.2-liter turbodiesel powerplant is rated at a maximum of 180 horsepower at 4,000 rpm. When equipped with the automatic transmission option, maximum twist comes to a very decent 420 Nm (310 pound-feet) of torque between 1,600 and 2,600 rpm.

Buyers can get theirs with either a six-speed manual gearbox, or an Aisin six-speed automatic unit. Both connect to a standard 4WD system for the extra grip and go when you need it.

This standard 4WD system uses 2WD when fuel efficiency is preferred over extra grip, disengaging the front wheels to drive the rear axle full time. If extra drive wheels are needed, the system engages the front wheels “electronically as required.” The drivetrain also comes with a high and low ratio, which is what you want when doing all those traditional pick-up activities.

2018 SsangYong Musso Chassis And Capability

Under the skin, the 2018 SsangYong Musso utilizes a body on frame construction, which is a classic architecture used in a variety of workhorse and off-roading applications. In fact, it’s the same architecture as the Rexton SUV.

The quad-frame design is made from high-strength steel with a 1.5 Gpa-grade rating. A total of 81.7 percent of the underpinnings of the Musso are made from the stuff.

In terms of hauling, the Musso gets a bed that’s big enough to fit a full-sized Euro pallet in back. It also comes with a standard 1-tonne (2,205-pound) payload and a 3.5-tonne (7,716-pound) towing capacity. Pretty standard stuff for the segment, but it’s spot on for a model like this.

Finally, the rear cargo area comes with a few details that really help out when you’re at the job site, such as a 12-volt/120-watt outlet to power whatever you need to get the job done. There’s also a few rotating hooks and strap-downs to help secure the load.

2018 SsangYong Musso Prices

The 2018 SsangYong Musso is scheduled to arrive in U.K. dealers this June. When it does, it’ll come with a price tag under the 20,000-pound mark. Three trim levels will be offered, and each will come with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty.

2018 SsangYong Musso Competition

Ford Ranger

While just now making its return to the U.S. market after a seven-year absence, the Ranger has been doing its thing overseas for a while now. In the U.K., you can get it with one of two power options, including either 2.2-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder, or a more potent 3.2-liter five-cylinder diesel, with 158 horses from the ‘four and 197 horses from the ‘five. Both 2WD and 4WD are on the table. While not necessarily the most frugal option, the Ranger still has what it takes to get the job done all the same.

Read our full review on the 2019 Ford Ranger.

Mitsubishi L200

The next competitor we’ve got lined up comes from Mitsubishi, which offers the L200 with a few different options for the cab and drivetrain. Either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic routes the output, which gets created by a 2.4-liter MIVEC diesel powerplant. The engine can be had in two different levels of tune, including 178 horsepower and 151 horsepower. There’s also a variety of options on the table to make it more capable on the job and more comfortable in the cabin.

Conclusion

The Musso (the name means rhinoceros when translated into english) is a nameplate that’s been working for the automaker since the ‘90s, and so far, it’s worked pretty well. Now with the segment heating up, it makes sense for SsangYong to double down on all the things that make this model shine.

The styling is definitely improved, while we’re liking the new interior spec too. The powertrain also looks like it’ll get the job done without breaking a sweat. Most importantly, though, the Musso does all this at a very reasonable price point. All told, this is one stout competitor in the pick-up segment.

• Love it
  • * Looks great
  • * Loads of torque
  • * Plenty of comfort options
  • * Reasonably priced
• Leave it
  • * Competition is heating up
  • * Alternatives might have it beat on interior fit and finish

References

Read more Geneva Motor Show news.

Read more SsangYong news.