Tough face: KGM Torres charges into Israel at a surprising price

Talcar, the importer of KGM in Israel, is expanding its model range by adding a third model – the Torres – alongside the Rexton and its pickup version, the Musso. The Torres will be positioned below the Rexton in the model lineup and will try to occupy a peculiar position—dimensions of a 7-seater vehicle at the price of relatively inexpensive compact crossovers.

The Torres itself is not a new model; it was introduced in 2022 and, judging by the visual feedback from a visit there, it enjoys considerable popularity in its homeland. In that region and elsewhere, it is also offered in an electric version that was launched in early 2023. We anticipated it would arrive here in the second half of that year at a price of around NIS 200,000. However, just as back then, today the importer claims that its import is not feasible due to a non-competitive price from the manufacturer at this stage.

But reality has its own plans, and the first version landing here is the gasoline version.

In terms of dimensions, the Torres offers an overall length of 4.7 meters, far exceeding vehicles like the Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson (4.51) and closer to those of the Nissan X-Trail or Mitsubishi Outlander (4.68 and 4.71, respectively). Its width is a commendable 1.89 meters, and the height stands at 1.72 meters. Only the wheelbase reveals that it is not actually a very large vehicle—268 cm, which is identical to the Sportage. Thus, a lot of the measurements go to the huge trunk with a capacity of 599 liters. The model will also be marketed here in a four-wheel-drive version, and it is worth noting that its ground clearance stands at 19.5 cm.

Whether with front or four-wheel drive, the basis is identical—a 1.5-liter turbo engine with a power output of 163 hp and a torque of 28.6 kgm. In this regard, it does not compete with the category's top contenders, which offer 20 to 30 more hp. The transmission is automatic with 6 gears.

The performance is, therefore, reasonable but not exhilarating—10.1 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h with front-wheel drive, 10.9 with all-wheel drive, and a top speed of 191 km/h.

Next year, the manufacturer is expected to offer a hybrid version, which is also expected to arrive in Israel.

In terms of equipment levels, they are divided according to the type of drive, "Executive" for front-wheel drive and "Luxury" for all-wheel drive, with the latter being the more premium option. The equipment includes dual-zone climate control with rear air conditioning vents, a 9-inch multimedia screen with Android and Apple compatibility, an 8-inch screen for controlling climate and vehicle systems, a 12.5-inch instrument cluster, a wireless charging pad, electric adjustment for the driver's seat, heating and ventilation for the front seats, heating for the rear seat, keyless entry and ignition, a sunroof, and more. The higher trim adds a power liftgate, heated steering wheel, and 20-inch wheels instead of 18.

The vehicle, despite the four-wheel drive and off-road inspiration, comes without a spare wheel, as permitted by European regulations. It is worth noting that the importer offers a spare wheel for customers with the Rexton.

In the list of safety equipment: Lane departure correction, blind spot monitoring, door opening warning for blocked lanes, and autonomous braking even in reverse. Additional safety systems, such as adaptive cruise control, will be added later in the model's lifecycle.

As mentioned, the Torres enters the competition in a rather unusual position. It has the external dimensions of models from the category above, like the Mitsubishi Outlander with seven seats, but a wheelbase more similar to that of medium crossovers. The engine's power is not among the highest in the category, and the decision to bring it in a four-wheel-drive version directly competes with the Subaru Forester and the recently introduced JAC 7. Additionally, its list of safety systems is less comprehensive than that offered by some of its competitors. The warranty period is 3 years or 100,000 km.

The prices— NIS 175,000 for the front-wheel drive version—place it in direct competition with a very wide range, including the Tucson, Sportage, Toyota RAV4, and other category members. At NIS 190,000 for the all-wheel-drive version, it also positions itself in direct competition with a price advantage against vehicles like the JAC 7 (170,000 for the front-wheel drive and NIS 200,000 for the all-wheel drive) or the Subaru Forester at NIS 205,000.