SsangYong Musso Saracen

from Shire Magazine May-June 2023 Cheshire

PUZZLE TIME ANSWERS

SsangYong vehicles from South Korea have always been priced to undercut the competition. The current range is no exception, only now they’re also well-equipped and styled to stand out in a crowd. The Musso Saracen fits into the new category of huge working trucks. North Americans love this type of vehicle, and if you look around you’ll be surprised how many of these big pick-ups are on our roads too.

You literally have to climb into the Musso – its height necessitates some assistance, especially if you’re vertically challenged! The running boards and a grab handle both help here. Once inside, you have impressive levels of luxury for what is essentially a working truck. Passenger space is excellent. I remember the earlier twin-cabs where the rear passengers had no head, leg or shoulder room. Not in the Musso.

The driver benefits from a heated steering wheel and electrical seat adjustment. Both front seats are heated, and in addition can also be cooled. Electric windows and mirrors are further standard features, as is a large touchscreen with displays including a reversing camera – a necessity on a vehicle of this size. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are accompanied by an excellent TomTom-based satnav system.

Sitting on its black alloy wheels, with black roller load cover and rollover hoops, the Musso has real presence.

On the road, the Musso is powered by a 2.2-litre 181PS diesel engine, pumping out 420 Nm of pulling power. The vehicle is heavy at nearly 2.2 tonnes but it can reach 115 mph and return around 33 mpg. The trade user will note it can tow a 3.5-tonne trailer and carry a payload of just over a tonne in the back, very useful features if you are in the business of moving equipment. The SsangYong engine felt perfectly refined, with good pulling power when needed, yet able to cruise quietly enough at motorway speeds.

What was previously a range of somewhat non-descript models are now surprisingly good cars and worth checking out.

Economy is about where you would expect it be. On test it returned an average of 28 mpg over 200-odd miles of mixed driving. Handling was impressive for such a big vehicle – it did feel bouncy at times, but that didn’t detract from the driving enjoyment. On the motorway it felt a reassuring and comfortable companion, and the option of two high, four high and four low-range gears, controlled through its six-speed automatic gearbox, was a delight. With a seven-year, 150,000mile warranty, this Saracen model is an attractive proposition. And if you run a business, it’s a very cost-effective choice.

Bob is a lifelong car and motorcycle fan, after a 30-year career as a police patrol officer – latterly as a sergeant, patrolling the Midlands motorway –retirement beckoned and he embarked on writing about his love of transport. Bob is a member of the Guild of Motor Writers and also the Midland Guild of Motor Writers. In his spare time he rides a Royal Enfield Continental GT and drives a 1994 MG RV8.