SsangYong Musso 2021 Review

The current-generation SsangYong Musso dual-cab ute first arrived on Aussie shores in late 2018, and now a mild MY21 facelift with a peppering of new features has arrived, bringing a chiselled new look up front and LED tail-lights at the back.

The five-seat Musso 4x4 is available in two model grades (ELX and Ultimate) and two tray lengths (regular and stretched XLV), paired with one engine option – a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (133kW/400Nm).

The South Korean workhorse also offers one of the lushest cabins you can buy today, and overall the Musso stands as one of the best-value utes out there.

At a time when $70,000 has become the entry point for flagship 4x4 dual-cabs from the leading brands, the range-topping SsangYong Musso Ultimate with all the trimmings that’s on test here is at least $25,000 more affordable once on-road costs are factored in.

It’s priced from just $41,290 drive-away in Ultimate trim, with the XLV stretched wheelbase and longer tray adding $1500 and the Luxury Pack another $3000.

Metallic paint also costs $495, taking the as-tested price for the top-spec Musso to $46,285 drive-away – still a highly attractive figure.

For the outlay you get an impressive amount of swag, including features no other one-tonne utes offer, like heated and cooled power-adjustable Nappa leather seats.

Even the steering wheel and rear seats can be heated via a button push, and there’s a powered sunroof too – the sort of equipment list that might spur SUV owners to make the switch.

Other standard features on the top-spec Musso include dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8.0-inch central touch-screen with a 360-degree parking camera, and a decent – but not class-leading – array of advanced safety features which we’ll touch on in the next section.

The long-wheelbase XLV variant stretches the tray by 300mm, to 1600mm in total, which in turn increases useable rear cargo space by 25 per cent (from 1011 to 1262 litres).

The vehicle’s length grows from 5095mm to 5409mm and the wheelbase extends from 3100mm to 3210mm.

These two size options make the SsangYong Musso a rarity in the HiLux and Ranger-dominated dual-cab ute segment.

However, only the entry-level stretched SsangYong Musso ELX (XLV) gets rear leaf springs, so if you want all the fancy equipment and the longer ute body, you’ll have to settle for rear coil springs with a so-so 880kg maximum payload.

And we know from previous Musso testing the rear squats under heavy loads as a result – down to its bump stops at times.

Another boon is the seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty (and roadside assistance), which is two years longer than most rivals and beaten only by the Mitsubishi Triton’s 10-year cover that comes in play (at the five-year mark) when you stick with the brand’s franchised dealer network.

Capped-price servicing costs an average of $375 per annum, with a total cost of $2635 over seven years, with service intervals pegged at 12 months or 15,000km.

While the aftersales care is solid, ownership costs are blemished by poor resale values which are among the worst in its class.

The 2021 SsangYong Musso Ultimate has pretty good array of safety systems, starting with six airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind spot and lane departure warnings, rear cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, reverse and 360-degree parking cameras, a driver attention assist system and auto-dipping high-beam headlights.

Despite the solid safety suite, there’s no independent crash testing or safety rating from ANCAP, so it’s not clear just how effective the ute’s fundamental structure will be in the event of major collision.

It also misses out on things like adaptive cruise control and active lane assist, which come in handy when you’re on long, monotonous drives.

The most-used tech features include an 8.0-inch central touch-screen that’s neither intuitive to use nor does it include many features, although you can use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired) which are good replacements over the native operating system.

There’s a 7.0-inch digital driver’s display wedged between the analogue instrument dials that looks great and, unlike the infotainment system, offers very good functionality and data.

Like most mainstream dual-cab utes sold in Australia today, the 2021 SsangYong Musso is powered by a tow-friendly 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine.

It’s hooked up to a six-speed auto in this case, and it’s a smooth, diligent transmission on-road and quite lively and responsive off-road. A six-speed manual is also offered.

There are no changes to the facelifted pick-up’s donk, meaning it continues to generate 133kW at 4000rpm, the same as its shorter-wheelbase sibling.

But the XLV models churn out 20Nm more torque – 420Nm – across a shorter power band of 1600-2600rpm, versus 1400-2800rpm.

Not only does the smooth and quiet oiler provide the Korean hay-hauler with a competitive 3500kg towing capacity (350kg tow ball load), the engine provides impressive hustle, giving the ute a decisive, punchy attitude unladen on bitumen and dirt roads alike.

It moves with purpose off the line and has impressive roll-on acceleration when overtaking, and you can swap between rear-drive (2H), 4WD (4H) and low-range (4L) for heavy-duty off-road work.

There’s no manually locking diff, but there is an auto-locking rear differential which kicks in when one of the rears loses traction for prolonged periods.

While the engine is a real charmer overall, it’s not the most efficient diesel mill out there.

The manufacturer’s claim is 9.0L/100km, and on the freeway at 100km/h in sixth gear it sips around 8.0L/100km. But after a couple of weeks in the saddle with a fair bit of urban driving, the trip computer figure was 14.5L/100km.

Like the powertrain, the driving dynamics of the 2021 SsangYong Musso Ultimate XLV are reasonably good for a budget ute.

It can’t hold a candle to a Ford Ranger in terms of all-round competence, particularly with the bouncy rear-end.

But the front-end is predictable and delivers good road-holding, tracking through corners confidently – almost like an SUV (like the SsangYong Rexton, for example, which is built on the same platform).

The direct steering and prompt engine response make it easy to drive in all situations, and despite its gargantuan 5.4m length, it’s not a bad urban cruiser either.

Front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree surround-view parking camera system and big upright windows make it less stressful to park than you’d think.

Fitted with a 75-litre fuel tank and delivering above-average ride comfort, the SsangYong Musso is a good long-distance cruiser with a theoretical 840km range.

It’s competent off-road and despite the longer wheelbase and poorer 20-degree ramp-over angle (compared to the shorter ute’s 23 degrees), it scrambled over some challenging off-road obstacles and deep ruts with ease.

Wheel articulation isn’t too bad and the low-range gearing assisted in crawling up steep and low-grip ascents without too much fumbling.

Again, it’s no Ford Ranger, with a sub-par 215mm ground clearance and a limited 350mm wading depth, but for many buyers it’ll be more than capable.

Not a great deal has changed with the facelifted 2021 SsangYong Musso, but it does reinforce the fact that this is a spacious, well-equipped dual-cab 4x4 ute with a refined powertrain.

In many ways, the Ultimate XLV (with Luxury Pack fitted) feels more like an SUV with a massive tray bolted on than a conventional pick-up.

The Musso is also the only factory-delivered ute available with a stretched wheelbase, and this XLV has the longest tray in its class.

Factor in excellent value thanks to high equipment levels coupled with low drive-away pricing, as well as strong aftersales support, and those who do take a punt are unlikely to regret their purchase.

At the end of the day, the Musso doesn’t have the perceived reliability of a Toyota HiLux or the badge value and reputation of a Ford Ranger.

But that’s no reason not to give it close consideration.

How much does the 2021 SsangYong Musso Ultimate XLV (with Luxury Pack) cost?
Price: $45,790 (drive-away)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 133kW/420Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 233g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested