New SsangYong Musso hero ute just months away

Pricing for the mainstream 2022 SsangYong Musso ute line-up has emerged online as the subtly updated Korean pick-up prepares to enter local showrooms, but those waiting to see a sticker price for the upcoming new flagship version will have to wait a while longer.

We understand SsangYong is eying a third-quarter launch for its limited-edition Musso range-topper, which should brandish a heap of tough-looking styling cues and a mild suspension lift as per the Rexton Sports Expedition, as it’s known as in Korea.

While details of SsangYong’s new Australia-bound hero ute are still being ironed out, prices for the rest of the 2022 Musso line-up have been quietly elevated by $800 to reflect the enhanced specification as we detailed back in January.

The 2022 SsangYong Musso range remains exclusively dual-cab 4x4 and pricing now starts from $35,790 drive-away for the ELX manual and stretches up to $43,590 drive-away for the top-spec Ultimate XLV automatic.

The new Expedition-derived Musso flagship will almost certainly top that figure.

As before, the long-wheelbase XLV variants are priced $1500 upstream of the SWB (standard wheelbase) versions, and all Mussos retain their part-time 4x4 system and limited-slip rear differential.

Compared to the 2021 versions, the MY22 Musso line-up will be delivered with a 12.3-inch digital cockpit, a new overhead console with LED map lights and seatbelt reminders, as well as body-coloured door-handles and wing mirrors.

The former two changes bring the Musso more closely into line with its SsangYong Rexton stablemate, but as we’ve previously reported, the ute misses out on its SUV counterpart’s more powerful 149kW/441Nm engine tune due to packaging constraints.

For the unfamiliar, the engine in question is a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Existing standard equipment highlights on all versions includes an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a reversing camera, plus a leather-clad steering wheel, cruise control, hill descent control, front and rear parking sensors and alloy wheels.

All of the usual active safety features are present, including autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, active rollover protection and driver attention warning.

Despite all these safety features and more, the Musso doesn’t come with an ANCAP safety rating because it has not been crash-tested locally.

Yet SsangYong has confirmed to carsales that the Korean ute will have “no problem” meeting Australia’s new pole side impact regulation (ADR 85), which applies to all light vehicles from November and has led to the axing of several far more premium vehicles including the Lexus IS, RC and CT when it impacted passenger cars in November 2021.

The Musso will continue as one of just two utes offered Down Under with a seven-year/unlimited-km warranty, pending the outcome of SsangYong’s ongoing acquisition crisis.

According to Automotive New Europe, would-be majority shareholder Edison Motors failed to meet a recent payment deadline, leading SsangYong executives to announce they would be seeking a new buyer.

With the company’s future looking uncertain, a SsangYong Australia spokesperson said the brand’s local operations will continue “as usual” as it continues to “follow plans and support” its “customers and dealer partners”.

How much does the 2022 SsangYong Musso cost?
ELX – $35,790
ELX XLV – $37,290
ELX (a) – $37,990
ELX XLV (a) – $39,290
Ultimate (a) – $42,090
Ultimate XLV (a) – $43,590
* All prices are drive-away

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