Fleet World road tester Alisdair Suttie puts the SsangYong Musso to the test.
Monday
The number of pickup trucks on sale new in the UK might have shrunk, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a good spread of choice. This is proved by the SsangYong Musso, which is quite a bit cheaper than most in this class, whether you’re calculating that with or without VAT included. The test model that’s arrived this morning certainly looks the part inside and out, so we’ll see if it’s up to the job as well.
Tuesday
This particular Musso is a Rhino model, so it comes with the longer load bay, which stretches to 1.61m. Making full use of its ability to get rid of some DIY rubbish, the SsangYong swallows it whole with a vast amount of space to spare. It can also handle up to 1,140kg of cargo in this model, or 1,095 in the standard version, so some old plasterboard and general junk is not taxing it too far.
Wednesday
On a run up to Perth this morning to take my bike for a service, it’s a piece of gateaux to stick it in the back of the Musso. A quick ratchet strap and it’s held in snugly. The only downside is there’s no extendable load cover attached to this Musso, though one is available as an extra for £1,809. Or you could have a hard top for £2,466. Thankfully, it doesn’t rain, so my bike doesn’t need either on this journey.
Thursday
A few miles into my time with the Musso and it’s clearly set up to run with a load in the back. The suspension bounces and bucks along typical rural roads, while even smoother A-roads find it jiggling about in a fidgety manner than only really eases once you’re on a very smooth stretch or the motorway. Bearing in mind its commercial purpose, it’s not terrible, but it’s nowhere near as good as a Ford Ranger.
Friday
As this is the top spec of SssangYong Musso, it comes with a six-speed automatic gearbox as standard. It makes life simple and relaxed on every trip as it changes gear very smoothly and also provides selectable rear- and four-wheel drive, with high and low ratios for added ability. Combined with the 2.2-litre turbo diesel motor’s 441Nm of torque from 1,600rpm with the auto ’box, or 400Nm with the six-speed manual version, it’s got plenty of oomph for off-roading and towing up to 3.5 tonnes.
Saturday
Family duties call and my kids are always keen on a pickup. The Musso is easily the most accommodating we’ve all been in, thanks to the full-size SUV space on offer in the back seats. The kids have acres of space to spread out, while upfront the SsangYong doesn’t stint with its equipment line-up. There’s not much left to the imagination and there’s a long list of safety kit that includes lane departure warning and six airbags.
Sunday
For anyone wanting a pickup at the keenest price, the SsangYong Musso has to be on your shortlist. It’s not as good to drive as a Ford Ranger nor does it have the biggest load bed in the sector. But when you stack up the numbers, equipment and a warranty that lasts up to seven years, it’s hard to pick too many faults. This one even turned in 41.4mpg to beat the official claimed 30.2mpg by a significant margin.