SsangYong Musso upgraded

After missing out on the engine upgrade gifted to the SsangYong Rexton last year, the 2022 SsangYong Musso has emerged with more power and torque to bring it into line with its SUV counterpart.

That’s in its Korean home market, at least, with a spokesperson from SsangYong Australia telling carsales today that “exact details are still to be confirmed” for the updated 4x4 dual-cab ute that’s expected to land Down Under in March.

The Musso was heavily updated last year with a fresh look and extra tech, but no changes were made to its 133kW/420Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.

That now looks set to change with Korean specs showing a boost in output to 149kW/441Nm, which places it in a stronger position against other major players including the Mitsubishi Triton (133kW/430Nm), Nissan Navara (140kW/450Nm) and the Isuzu D-MAX and Mazda BT-50 twins (140kW/450Nm).

The power and torque increases also move the SsangYong Musso well clear of the 120kW/400Nm GWM Ute, but it remains below the latest LDV T60 Max that recently picked up a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel good for 160kW/500Nm.

While the Musso’s engine now matches the Rexton, the ute continues with a six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmission whereas the SUV features an eight-speed automatic.

The ute also sticks with the familiar part-time 4x4 system with low range and an automatically locking rear differential.

As well as the extra grunt, the 2022 SsangYong Musso will also inherit electric power steering and, with it, a full lane keeping assist system and blind spot collision assist.

Voice command, driver attention alert, safe exit warning and new alloy wheel designs have been added as well, as has a pumped up new ‘Expedition’ tough truck flagship.

Kitted out with a black radiator grille, black 20-inch alloys, nudge bar, sculpted rear bumper, bonnet vents, a rear step, unique badging and a heap of extra body decals, the Rexton Sport Expedition (as it’s known in Korea) rides 10mm higher than the regular versions on “dynamic suspension”.

An answer for the Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain and Toyota HiLux Rugged X, the Expedition is also not yet locked in for the Aussie market.

Additionally, the SsangYong Rexton range looks set to expand this year following our discovery of Australian Design Rule filings pointing to the possible the return of a petrol engine and addition of a detuned diesel to the seven-seat large SUV.