2022 SsangYong Musso: Australia to miss updated engine, active safety kit

An updated SsangYong Musso is due in showrooms in March 2022, but it won’t receive all the updates seen in its home market.

SsangYong Australia has confirmed the updated ute will receive the following changes:

• LED interior lighting
• Body-colour door handles and mirrors
• New overhead console with LED map lights and seatbelt reminders

The entire range will also receive a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

However, the updated model won’t receive a new powertrain, nor will it shift to a new electric power steering set-up that brings with it adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and lane-centring.

A leaked bulletin out of Korea confirmed the Musso would receive a new turbo-diesel engine with 150kW of power and 441Nm of torque, which also promised improved fuel economy.

The Australian-spec Musso will continue with its 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, which meets Euro6 emissions standards and produces 133kW of power and either 400Nm or 420Nm of torque, depending on the variant.

SsangYong Australia says the new engine available in Korea, which brings the Musso in line with the updated Rexton in terms of power and torque, requires Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF).

“DEF requires an additional tank, this takes up space in the spare wheel area to the point where a full-size spare wheel cannot be fitted,” said a company spokesperson.

“SsangYong Australia continually reviews model pricing position versus competitors prior to making any changes. This ensures we continue to offer value for money on a spec adjusted basis against other brands.”

Pricing for the updated model has yet to be announced.

The Musso was updated in the second half of 2021, though this consisted largely of aesthetic changes. That was in contrast with the related Rexton, from which the Musso is derived, which included both a fresh look and a more powerful engine.

Despite the loss of its small Tivoli SUV in 2020 plus its perilous financial situation, SsangYong increased its sales from 1751 to 2978 sales in 2021.

That was still well adrift of fellow challenger brands GWM Haval and LDV, but its entire line-up was up. The Korando was up 40.1 per cent to 353 sales, the Musso up 73.7 per cent to 1883 sales, and the Rexton up 129.7 per cent to 742 sales.

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