SsangYong Musso Rhino (2023) Review

AS A journalist you have to go where the work is and in this case it’s 155 miles from home.

So that’s 310 miles in a day, seven hours plus of driving and a lot of tedious M6 to negotiate – and that’s on top of the five hour job.

So when I put the request in the diary and cross reference it with my list of test cars I’m hoping for something that will be good on a long journey.

Oh! It’s a pick-up. Well, that could be a world of pain. That said it’s a SsangYong Musso and from experience that’s a great vehicle to be in. It’s also the latest refreshed model and as soon as we pull on the M6 I know it’s going to be fine.

Musso has a habit of making you forget you are in a pick-up as there’s nothing utilitarian about the vehicle at all. The latest incarnation is better still thanks to an improved dashboard and infotainment system.

On the motorway it is just so relaxed and comfortable with little cabin intrusion of engine, wind or road noise. It has all the executive toys including satnav, cruise control, heated power adjustable Nappa leather seats, a heated steering wheel and dual zone automatic climate control, so the cabin ambience is perfect and the driving position extremely comfortable. It’s a doddle to drive long distance and, surprisingly quickly, I reach journey’s end.

Job done it’s time to head home and I’m likely to be more tired than on the way down. But the ride is very civilised indeed and there’s no hint of any pogoing, which you often get in this type of vehicle, so I’m as happy as can be – until the traffic jam. I minor bump somewhere up ahead leads to a three mile tailback but thankfully the Musso has a great six-speed automatic gearbox so there’s little to do but crawl along listening to the radio. The pick-up also enjoys a lofty ride height allowing for an imperious view of the world around.

Musso is powered by an excellent diesel engine, delivering 202ps at 3,800rpm and maximum torque of 441Nm at 1,600 to 2,600rpm. There’s bags of power for accelerating, overtaking and hill climbing and the slower speed boosts the mpg to a creditable 35 – not bad for a big truck.

Musso was last facelifted in 2018 and the latest refresh has made it better still, the newly designed front styling and grille, now finished in black on the Saracen spec, giving it even greater visual impact while the redesigned interior makes a working vehicle a great lifestyle SUV.

It’s an ideal leisure vehicle and a great workhorse, particularly if you go for the Saracen+ which has a load bed 12in longer than the norm.

Musso is the only truck to legally tow 3.5-tonnes and carry more than one-tonne simultaneously.

SsangYong’s 68-year heritage shines clearly through in the latest Musso and its comprehensive equipment, five-year/100,000-mile warranty and surprising level of interior refinement make it a great vehicle on a long haul.