KGM Rexton: Worth a look

0 0 December 01, 2025 Edit this post

by Alistair Kennedy

What is it?

Although Korean carmaker SsangYong has been in the Australian market for the past 20 years it has never been able to get close to the success of its compatriots Hyundai and Kia.

The company has gone through financial difficulties over the years and been taken over at different times by SAIC, Daewoo, Mahindra and, in 2023, by a new entrant to the automotive scene – KG Mobility or locally as KGM Australia.

KGM currently has five models in its range, the Musso ute, three mid- sized SUVS, Korando, Torres and Actyon and, this week’s test vehicle -- the family-sized seven-seat Rexton SUV.

Rexton languishes near the bottom of the large SUV segment, well below the big hitters like Toyota Prado and Kluger, Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X.

It's a pity because, after our week behind the wheel, we came away highly impressed.

What’s it cost?

Driveaway prices starting from $52,000 make Rexton a fair bit cheaper than competitors, with a seven-year warranty adding to the value equation.

Like Everest and MU-X, Rexton sits on a utility platform, in its case shared by the KGM Musso.

Rexton received a minor upgrade in 2025 with the addition of safety, equipment and tech improvements.

Four variants are offered -- ELX, Advance, Ultimate and Ultimate Sport Pack -- with Advance replacing the previous Adventure variant.

Other changes include the addition of electric power steering, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist which are now standard across the range.

Other upgrades to the range include sequential indicators and LED headlights with a new DRL design.

Entry ELX gains leather-look seating while rear pull-up sun blinds have been added to Advance, and Ultimate scores wireless phone charging.

All variants come with seven seats, a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine, eight-speed automatic transmission and 3500kg braked towing capacity.

The constraints of fitting three rows of seats do not allow for much flexibility in the roofline of large SUVs and Rexton has the same conservative profile as rivals.

Most of the work therefore goes into the front and rear.

Rexton has an attractive, intricate diamond-style grille with the KGM company logo at the top/centre.

All variants come with quad-style LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and LED front fog lights.

At the rear the tail lights and number plate lights are also LED.

The high-mounted stop lights are integrated into the rear spoiler.

Wheels are 18-inch diamond-cut alloys.

Rexton Ultimate adds privacy glass, powered sunroof and tailgate and illuminated front door scuff plates.

Top spec Ultimate Sport Pack comes with black leather and suede seats, suede door and dash trims and a gloss a black steering wheel bezel.

Other dark touches include black 20-inch alloy wheels and black painted roof rails.

Two 12.3-inch screens deliver the basis for infotainment and the instrument cluster which includes a digital speedo.

Although it can be customised to suit different situations it’s relatively basic and does not include built-in satellite navigation.

There are six physical buttons and a round knob below the screen for the most commonly used functions and more buttons and another knob for the air conditioning controls.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both wired and a wireless smartphone charger is added for the Ultimate.

Although Rexton hasn’t undergone ANCAP crash testing it does come with a good range of safety equipment in both variants.

They include nine airbags, autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning, lane change collision warning, safety distance warning, blind spot warning, smart high beam, front vehicle start warning, rear cross traffic warning, tyre pressure monitoring system, ISOFix child seat anchors for the outer centre seats and trailer sway control.

There are front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, with a 360-degree camera in the Ultimate.

What’s it go like?

Like most in its class Rexton has a fairly high stance which can challenge shorter occupants, but on the positive side the high seating position provides ideal viewing.

There are thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) leather-look seats in all three rows.

The front seats are powered, comfortable and supportive as well as being heated and ventilated.

Attractive quilted trim can be found on the seats and around the front console.

Storage space is good with sliding covers for the drink holders and phone charging bay.

The rear seats are finished in the same quilted trim while the second-row seats can tilt backwards to about 50-degrees – subject of course to the approval of third- row occupants.

The second-row also has a fold-down armrest with two cupholders and small storage area.

Ultimate adds driver’s seat and door mirror memory system, touch-sensing front door locks, heated leather steering wheel, ambient interior mood lighting and third row air conditioning controls.

Access to the third-row seats and space once there provides the usual challenges and are best left for children.

Even then the seating is low and there’s only small, triangular windows which makes for a claustrophobic feel.

Boot space with all seats in place is limited.

The 2.2-litre turbo-diesel generates maximum power of 148kW at 3800 rpm and healthy peak torque of 441Nm from 1600 revs.

Fuel consumption is listed at 8.7L/100km.

The eight-speed automatic comes with the convenience of steering wheel mounted shift paddles.

It has part-time 4×4 with low and high range and an automatic-locking rear differential.

Despite its modest power output, 441Nm of torque means the combination of 2.2-litre diesel engine and eight-speed auto transmission pulls the big vehicle along in a smooth, relaxed and surprisingly quiet manner.

It certainly loses nothing in comparison with its better-known and more expensive competitors.

Steering is relatively light and there’s a fair bit of body roll through corners, but that’s par for the course with large SUVs.

During our test we averaged 9.3L/100km, reasonably close to the listed 8.7 L/100km.