KGM Torres Hybrid (2024 - )

KGM has bridged the gap between its petrol and full electric Torres model by launching a punchy hybrid version into the mix.

Unlike its siblings, which are sold in trims called K30 and K40, there is just the single high-end K40 variant available and that means it is packed with all the bells and whistles.

The Torres is a chunky, mid-size SUV with bundles of room for any active family. And it’s easy on the eye too with distinctive rugged styling matched by an upmarket interior that’s packed to bursting with creature comforts.

Expect to find powered, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, sat nav, full smartphone integration and plenty more besides.

The vehicle is also competitively priced at £35,995, which is less than both the petrol and electric models.

So, plenty of appeal then, but does it live up to the big build up?

In a collaboration involving KGM and Chinese manufacturer, BYD, the front-wheel drive Torres Hybrid uses Dual-Tech Hybrid powertrain technology that sees a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor and dedicated hybrid transmission.

With a total output of 177hp and 300Nm of torque, the vehicle can complete the 0-62mph dash in a respectable 9.0 seconds and onto a top speed of 112mph. It’s a car that will sit effortlessly at 70mph eating away at the motorway miles, but is also agile and easy to manoeuvre around busier towns and city centres.

When faced with twisting country lanes, the Torres Hybrid is nicely grounded with impressive grip and minimal body sway, provided tighter corners are not attacked too eagerly. It does feel quite heavy at times, although the slightly lighter weighted steering helps combat that issue, and the elevated seating results in impressive all-round driver visibility.

The hybrid system works efficiently in the background switching from EV to Hybrid or full petrol mode. There are paddles to change gears manually, alongside drive modes that are accessed via a drop-down menu on the touchscreen. These are called Eco, Comfort and Sport and they alter the driving characteristics of the vehicle with Sport adding a certain edge to the mix.

Refinement levels are decent enough with the effective suspension smoothing out any bumps and dips along the way, and the cabin is well insulated too, protecting occupants from outside noise.

My only real complaint was the fuel efficiency – I expected more miles to the gallon and could never get particularly close to achieving the official figure of 46.1mpg, no matter how carefully I drove. 

The KGM Torres has plenty of kerb appeal with its muscular, rugged styling and upmarket interior. Eye-catching features include a sculpted bonnet, distinctive grille and skid plates, sweeping light clusters with Big Dipper-inspired daytime running lights. There is wheel arch cladding, privacy glass, distinctive rear lights with a high-mounted brake light, plus 20-inch diamond-cut alloys to complete the look.

Moving inside, the interior is modern and clutter-free with quite a minimalist approach when it comes to physical controls. Instead, there are two 12.3-inch infotainment screens that merge seamlessly behind a curved pane of glass.

The right screen clearly shows all the important driving data, such as speed, fuel levels and drive modes, while the left screen offers access to the car’s wealth of on-board tech.

Creature comforts include TomTom navigation, full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, Bluetooth, a rearview camera and lots more besides. These features are simple to access on the screen, but to get to functions such as the drive modes you will need to scroll down from a narrow line at the top of the screen. It’s all fine once you have got the hang of the set-up, although the screen was a little slow to react a couple of times. 

Comfort levels impress with powered seats up front that can be heated or ventilated. These seats feature smart black leather upholstery with neat copper contrast stitching and the blue ambient lighting adds an extra layer of elegance. The steering wheel, along with the outer rear seats can also be warmed against the winter chill, which is always good news in our book.

The KGM Torres Hybrid certainly has plenty of kerb appeal with its bold, rugged styling. It stretches 4,705mm in length, is 1,890mm wide (including mirrors) and 1,720mm tall with a 2,680mm wheelbase. And those figures mean the cabin space is exceptionally generous with ample room for a couple of tall adults up front and space for two more in the back. Add a third and it’s quite a squeeze, but it’s ideal for three youngsters. These seats can also be reclined up to 32.5 degrees for added comfort and there is a clever Rear Seats Sleep function that mutes the speakers in the back so passengers can grab 40 winks.

The boot is accessed via a powered tailgate, although in sub-zero conditions the push-button closing function was a little hit and miss. Storage space impresses though with a capacity that ranges from 703 to 1,662 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. There is an underfloor compartment, along with side bins and bag hooks.

Additionally, there are numerous handy storage options scattered throughout the cabin, including wide door bins that can hold 1.5-litre bottles, an illuminated glovebox, deep central cubby, a massive area beneath the centre console, front and rear cup holders, seat back pockets with a section for mobile phones, four USB-C ports, plus some trays.

The Torres Hybrid is perfect for family adventures and it has a braked towing limit of 1.3 tonnes with Trailer Stability Assist included for added safety.

Generally when a manufacturer introduces hybrid technology to an existing line-up, the price tends to soar. But that’s certainly not the case with the KGM Torres, as the car undercuts the cost of both the petrol and fully electric models.

While the petrol and EVX (electric) Torres is sold in a choice of two trims called K30 and K40 with prices starting at £36,749 and £36,995 respectively, the Torres Hybrid is only available in high-end K40 guise with a starting price of £35,995. 

And there is more good news for buyers as the vehicle comes fully loaded as standard, so there will be no unexpected surprises at the check-out desk. Owners can specify upgraded paint at a cost of £750, but that’s about all.

The official WLTP-tested fuel efficiency figure of 46.1mpg was difficult to match during our 14-day test, but we were seeing an average around the 37mpg mark, which is not great but also not shocking either. The fairly high carbon emissions figure will mean a first-year road tax bill of £540, dropping to the standard fee of £195 after 12 months. But there will be no additional Expensive Car Supplement to worry about as the Torres Hybrid is priced below the £40k threshold.

Any business drivers considering the KGM Torres Hybrid as a company car will see a Benefit in Kind tax rating of 33 per cent. And the car, as tested, sits in insurance group 37.

For added peace of mind, the Torres Hybrid is sold with a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty, along with 12 months European breakdown cover.

The Torres Hybrid is a very welcome addition to the current line-up neatly bridging the gap between petrol and electric. It looks great and will cover all the practicality needs of any active family. And, there is plenty of high-end tech to explore too – all included in the attractive asking price.

Additionally, it’s a comfortable cruiser and drives nicely when unleashed on the more open road. It’s not perfect though. The fuel efficiency doesn’t match its closest rivals and the touchscreen was a bit reluctant to play at times. That said; we were testing the car in unusually cold weather for the UK, so maybe that had something to do with it.

But those gripes aside, it’s certainly worth checking out and offers great value for money. And, just in case you’re wondering, the Torres takes its name from the beautiful Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia.