KGM Actyon Hybrid review: Leftfield family SUV gets a hybrid boost

Has the distinctive KGM Actyon SUV improved now it’s been electrified?

Full disclosure. When I reviewed the Actyon soon after its UK launch in early 2025, I liked it, but it had one big flaw. The only engine option was a thirsty 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol turbo.

“That petrol engine doesn’t have a whiff of electrification – it’s not even a mild hybrid – which is unusual for a brand-new model these days,” I said.

Roll on a year or so and KGM (formerly SsangYong) is back with the Actyon Hybrid.

The front-wheel drive Actyon Hybrid now features KGM’s new Dual-Tech Hybrid powertrain technology, as seen in the recently-launched Torres Hybrid.

Designed in collaboration with BYD, a four-cylinder, 1.5-litre petrol engine is paired with two electric motors and a 1.83kWh battery.

On paper, the new hybrid powertrain looks just the job. Power is up from 161bhp to 201bhp, dropping the 0-62mph time from a pedestrian 10.8 seconds to a more competitive nine seconds flat.

Claimed fuel economy jumps by around 40% from just 33.1mpg to 46.4mpg, while the total range is now 521 miles (compared to the 371 miles official for the petrol version).

Apart from the engine, the Actyon Hybrid is much the same as before – which is no bad thing.

Pronounced “act-e-yon” and marketed as a “coupe SUV” by KGM, it’s blessed with a rakish profile, a chunky C-pillar, big 20-inch wheels, a distinctive front end featuring slim lights, plus a rear with hints of the Range Rover Velar.

Inside, the Actyon is more upmarket than you might have expected, with hand-stitched black Nappa leather seats and classy materials such as suede and wood-effect trim.

There are 12.3-inch dashboard screens side-by-side – a central infotainment featuring TomTom navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, media and climate controls, plus a driver’s display with the essentials.

Thankfully, KGM hasn’t done a Tesla and gone all minimalist, and there’s a big shortcut button on the almost-hexagonal steering wheel, which can be configured.

The infotainment screen graphics are not top-notch, but work well enough. As with all touchscreen-based infotainment, there’s just a tad too much prodding and swiping.

Then there’s the massive sense of space inside the cabin. There’s no seven-seat option, but rear passengers can stretch out and headroom is no issue either. With a large 668-litre boot, which expands to 1,568 litres with the 60:40 rear seats folded down, it ticks lots of boxes.

Priced from £38,995, the new Actyon Hybrid may look the part, but it’s not pretending to be an off-roader. That said, it’s more capable than your average crossover in extreme weather conditions.

It has a useful 205 mm ground clearance and can ford depths up to 250 mm thanks to its waterproofed chassis. It also has decent approach and departure angles, plus a towing capacity of 1.3 tonnes.

So, has the addition of hybrid technology made a difference? In a word, yes. The Actyon Hybrid is definitely quicker off the line and the six-speed automatic transmission works a treat compared to the high-revving CVT gearboxes that often blight hybrids.

Drive modes (Eco, Comfort and Sport), accessed via the touchscreen are available, though Comfort offers the best blend of performance and efficiency.

Additionally, handy steering wheel mounted paddles can be used to adjust the strength of the regenerative braking.

Economy still isn’t scintillating, but the 27mpg I achieved in the petrol version is now closer to a 40mpg real-world average.

On the road, the Actyon Hybrid is much like the petrol original. There’s a commanding view over the chunky bonnet thanks to the high driving position, while visibility is generally good.

Those big rear pillars can result in a bit of blind spot when reversing, but the 360-degree 3D surround view camera system takes care of that.

It feels substantial, while the suspension has been tweaked for the Actyon Hybrid, resulting in a more fluid ride quality. As before, when it’s pushed in faster corners it stays remarkably flat.

The steering is nicely weighted and it bowls along nicely with good grip and decent traction for a front-wheel drive SUV.

So, the Actyon Hybrid isn’t perfect, but it’s a much more compelling proposition than before, and I haven’t even mentioned the five-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

Mind you, it’s got to be good when its rivals include the likes of the Kia Sportage Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, Nissan X-Trail e-Power and Toyota RAV-4.

Verdict: The new, improved KGM Actyon Hybrid is now the car is should have been at launch. So, if you’re looking for a classy, comfortable, spacious SUV that’s well made, safe, stands out from the crowd and drives well, then take one for a test drive.

Review in association with AutomotiveBlog