The SsangYong Musso has received some updates for 2022, but it hasn’t received as many as in its home market of Korea.
Prices are up by $800 across the range, with the cheapest Musso now starting at $35,790 drive-away. The Musso arrives in Australian showrooms in May.
All models gain a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as a new overhead console with LED map lights and seat belt reminders.
Body-colour door handles and exterior mirrors also return to the Musso after having disappeared with the 2021 facelift.
Overseas model shown
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.
SsangYong Australia has yet to release local imagery of the updated model, so we’ve included images of the Korean-market and outgoing 2021 models.
The Australian-spec Musso will continue with its 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, which meets Euro 6 emissions standards and produces 133kW of power and either 400Nm or 420Nm of torque, depending on the variant.
Korean-market models get a more powerful, more efficient 2.2-litre turbo-diesel with 148kW and 441Nm.
Musso XLV
While the recently updated Rexton received a powertrain update for Australia – bringing with it the same higher outputs albeit with a new eight-speed automatic – the more powerful engine has been ruled out for the local Musso.
SsangYong Australia says it isn’t bringing it here as the new engine requires Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), or AdBlue.
“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.
The Musso occupies a more budget-focused part of the ute market, along with Chinese upstarts like the GWM Ute and LDV T60.
With prices of the GWM Ute increasing by up to $5000 since its introduction last year, the Musso now undercuts it. It’s in turn undercut, if only just, by the T60.
The Musso was updated in the second half of 2021, though this consisted largely of aesthetic changes.
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.
Pricing
Musso
- 2022 Ssangyong Musso ELX manual: $35,790
- 2022 SsangYong Musso ELX auto: $37,790
- 2022 SsangYong Musso Ultimate auto: $42,090
- 2022 SsangYong Musso Ultimate Luxury Pack auto: $45,090
Musso XLV
- 2022 SsangYong Musso XLV ELX manual: $37,290
- 2022 SsangYong Musso XLV ELX auto: $39,290
- 2022 SsangYong Musso XLV Ultimate auto: $43,590
- 2022 SsangYong Musso XLV Ultimate Luxury Pack auto: $46,590
All prices are drive-away.
Engine
Power in the 2022 SsangYong Musso comes from the same 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine as before, making 133kW of power and 400Nm of torque in the regular-length model.
Opting for the XLV ups the torque output to 420Nm.
There’s a six-speed manual transmission, or a six-speed Aisin automatic.
A switchable four-wheel drive system is standard, complete with low-range.
Fuel Economy
Combined fuel economy for the Musso ELX manual is 7.9L/100km on the combined cycle, increasing to 8.2L/100km for the long-wheelbase XLV.
The automatic uses a claimed 8.6L/100km, increasing to 8.9L/100km for the XLV.
The whole range comes with a 75L fuel tank.
Dimensions
The standard-length Musso measures 5095mm long, 1950mm wide and 1840mm tall, with a 3100mm wheelbase.
The Musso XLV measures 5409mm long, 1950mm wide and 1855mm tall, with a 3310mm wheelbase.
Both models have an unbraked towing capacity of 750kg and a braked towing capacity of 3500kg.
Payload for the Musso is 790kg, the Musso ELX XLV ups that to 1025kg, and the Ultimate XLV can carry 880kg.
Servicing and Warranty
The Musso is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Maintenance is required every 12 months or 15,000km. The first seven services cost a combined $2625, or $375 per year.
Safety
The current Musso hasn’t been crash tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
There are two front airbags, front thorax airbags, and side head-protecting curtain airbags covering both seat rows. Disappointingly, the centre rear seat has only a lap belt.
Standard on the base Musso ELX are:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Lane-departure warning
- Driver attention monitoring
Moving to the Ultimate brings:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-change assist
Standard Equipment
The base Musso ELX features:
- 18-inch alloy wheels (17-inch on XLV)
- Cruise control
- LED daytime running lights
- Fog lights
- 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Reversing camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Leather steering wheel
- 7.0-inch trip computer display
The Ultimate gains:
- 18-inch black alloy wheels
- Surround-view camera
- HID headlights
- Speed-sensitive adaptive power steering
- Leather-look seats
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Tyre-pressure monitoring
- Walk-away door locking
The Luxury Pack adds:
- Dual-zone climate control
- Power sunroof
- Nappa leather seat trim
- Powered front seats
- Powered driver’s lumbar support
- Heated rear seats
Colours
Grand White is standard, while the following metallic shades are a $595 option (up from $495 last year):
- Atlantic Blue
- Indian Red
- Marble Grey
- Pearl White
- Space Black
MORE: Everything SsangYong Musso
MORE: Everything SsangYong Musso XLV
