The pick-up market seems to be really heating up overseas, and South Korean automaker SsangYong is capitalizing on the growing segment with the introduction of the updated 2018 Musso at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show. In case you were unaware, SsangYong has been making 4x4 vehicles for more than six decades, and enjoys its position as South Korea’s only SUV and 4x4 specialist manufacturer. As such, the Musso pick-up joins SsangYong’s new flagship Rexton SUV to bolster it’s rough-and-ready portfolio.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2018 SsangYong Musso.

2018 SsangYong Musso

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 SsangYong Musso
  • Horsepower: 180 @ 4000
  • Torque: 310 @ 2600
  • Transmission: six-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

2018 SsangYong Musso Exterior

- Looks bigger and bolder - Chrome embellishments on the grille - Flat-black lower cladding - Sharp headlights - Available 20-inch wheels

SsangYong says the exterior styling of the Musso was inspired by “the dignified motion of nature,” or more concretely, the company’s latest design language, otherwise known as Nature-born 3 Motion. The aesthetic looks to offer rugged good looks that help it stand out as a capable, near-premium vehicle.

Let’s start in front, where we find chrome embellishments that stretch across the grille insert, adding an extra sense of width to the stance. The “shoulder wing” grille design is carried over from other models in the make’s lineup, stretching between the headlights in a hexagonal shape.

There’s also flat-black coverings along the lowest edge, which continue around into the profile and to the rear. The headlight housings are sharp, leading into the front fenders with a pointed outer edge.

Moving to the profile, we find additional character lines leading to the rear. These add a sense of muscle-bound strength, with sinewy details that visually increase the Musso’s exterior dimensions.

The doors get a new design feature meant to cover the sills and lower portions of the body, thus ensuring passengers don’t track in dirt from the flanks of the vehicle. The range-topping trim level comes equipped with appropriately large 20-inch wheels with a chrome finish.

When viewed from the rear, the Musso gets a tall, boxy stance, a characteristic enhanced even further thanks to the the tall taillight housings.

2018 SsangYong Musso Interior

- Seats five comfortably - New interior design looks more upscale - Reduced NVH levels - Optional Nappa leather upholstery - DAB radio and Bluetooth as standard - 8.0-inch infotainment screen - Available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Step up into the cabin of the Musso, and you’ll find a five-seater layout, with two passengers in front and three fitting onto the rear bench.

In terms of available space, the Musso looks to be pretty solid for the segment. It’s also rather upscale in terms of appointment and refinement. The latest 2018 model arrives with an all-new interior design that’s meant to mimic the premium feel of a top-shelf SUV, while still being durable enough to stand up to the rigors of normal use in a pick-up truck model.

To help underline its premium approach, the 2018 Musso includes the option for Nappa leather upholstery on the seats for the range-topping trim level. Heated front seats with a ventilation feature are also offered on “most” models.

Another crucial factor to the vehicle’s refined feel is the level noise, vibration, and harshness levels, or NVH, and the Musso delivers on this front thanks the the inclusion of eight individual body mounts, polyester wheel-arch linings, updates to the engine bay seals, and larger rubber engine mounts, all of which should help to take away the bouncy ride and noisy cabin that’s so common among pickup models. Further wind noise reduction comes courtesy of fourfold door seals and aero-efficient wiper blades.

On the infotainment front, the Musso gets DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity as standard across the range. All models excluding the base model come with Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto smartphone support, as well as an 8.0-inch infotainment screen and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Electric windows, central locking, and air conditioning are also included as standard, as is a six-airbag safety system.

2018 SsangYong Musso Drivetrain

- 2.2-liter turbodiesel - Same engine as the Rexton - Makes as much as 310 pound-feet of torque - Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic - Standard 4WD - High and low ratios

Behind that long chrome line in the grille, the Musso gets the same engine spec as the previously released Rexton SUV. Dubbed the e-XDo220, this 2.2-liter turbodiesel powerplant is rated at a maximum of 180 horsepower at 4,000 rpm. When equipped with the automatic transmission option, maximum twist comes to a very decent 420 Nm (310 pound-feet) of torque between 1,600 and 2,600 rpm.

Buyers can get theirs with either a six-speed manual gearbox, or an Aisin six-speed automatic unit. Both connect to a standard 4WD system for the extra grip and go when you need it.

This standard 4WD system uses 2WD when fuel efficiency is preferred over extra grip, disengaging the front wheels to drive the rear axle full time. If extra drive wheels are needed, the system engages the front wheels “electronically as required.” The drivetrain also comes with a high and low ratio, which is what you want when doing all those traditional pick-up activities.

2018 SsangYong Musso Chassis And Capability

- Body on frame construction - Made from high-strength steel - 1 tonne payload, 3.5 tonnes towing - Fits standard Euro pallet in the bed - Rear electric outlet

Under the skin, the 2018 SsangYong Musso utilizes a body on frame construction, which is a classic architecture used in a variety of workhorse and off-roading applications. In fact, it’s the same architecture as the Rexton SUV.

The quad-frame design is made from high-strength steel with a 1.5 Gpa-grade rating. A total of 81.7 percent of the underpinnings of the Musso are made from the stuff.

In terms of hauling, the Musso gets a bed that’s big enough to fit a full-sized Euro pallet in back. It also comes with a standard 1-tonne (2,205-pound) payload and a 3.5-tonne (7,716-pound) towing capacity. Pretty standard stuff for the segment, but it’s spot on for a model like this.

Finally, the rear cargo area comes with a few details that really help out when you’re at the job site, such as a 12-volt/120-watt outlet to power whatever you need to get the job done. There’s also a few rotating hooks and strap-downs to help secure the load.

2018 SsangYong Musso Prices

The 2018 SsangYong Musso is scheduled to arrive in U.K. dealers this June. When it does, it’ll come with a price tag under the 20,000-pound mark. Three trim levels will be offered, and each will come with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty.

2018 SsangYong Musso Competition

Ford Ranger

While just now making its return to the U.S. market after a seven-year absence, the Ranger has been doing its thing overseas for a while now. In the U.K., you can get it with one of two power options, including either 2.2-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder, or a more potent 3.2-liter five-cylinder diesel, with 158 horses from the ‘four and 197 horses from the ‘five. Both 2WD and 4WD are on the table. While not necessarily the most frugal option, the Ranger still has what it takes to get the job done all the same.

Read our full review on the 2019 Ford Ranger.

Mitsubishi L200

The next competitor we’ve got lined up comes from Mitsubishi, which offers the L200 with a few different options for the cab and drivetrain. Either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic routes the output, which gets created by a 2.4-liter MIVEC diesel powerplant. The engine can be had in two different levels of tune, including 178 horsepower and 151 horsepower. There’s also a variety of options on the table to make it more capable on the job and more comfortable in the cabin.

Conclusion

The Musso (the name means rhinoceros when translated into english) is a nameplate that’s been working for the automaker since the ‘90s, and so far, it’s worked pretty well. Now with the segment heating up, it makes sense for SsangYong to double down on all the things that make this model shine.

The styling is definitely improved, while we’re liking the new interior spec too. The powertrain also looks like it’ll get the job done without breaking a sweat. Most importantly, though, the Musso does all this at a very reasonable price point. All told, this is one stout competitor in the pick-up segment.

References

Read more Geneva Motor Show news.

Read more SsangYong news.