Lots of cars are named after God’s creatures. Some are fitting tributes to the iconic – the term is not overused here – animals they’ve been inspired by. Ford Mustang. Jaguars. Mitsubishi Colt. The Reliants Robin and Kitten, in their lovable ways. The Suzuki Tree Toad. Sorry, made that one up. I think. Also the Hyundai Pony, until someone at HQ in Seoul learned all about Cockney rhyming slang and it became the Excel, but it wasn’t a spreadsheet, so then it was the Elantra, which doesn’t mean anything. Whereas, closing in on the point, the KGM Rhino certainly does. (For obscure branding reasons, this pickup is technically the “Musso Rhino”, but we won’t let that get in the way).
“KGM”, by the way, means KG Mobility, and the K and the G are derived from the original names of the founders of the company that now owns this manufacturer. For some time it was (slightly) better known as SsangYong, and they’ve been specialising in rugged 4x4s for more than 70 years. So there’s a pedigree and a decent reputation there, even if it’s not well-known.
open image in galleryThe Rhino lives up to its name. It’s heavy (2.2 tonnes, thus about as much as the average real rhinoceros), somewhat slab-sided, a touch ponderous but plenty fast enough when it builds up a bit of momentum, but maybe a little difficult to turn a corner at its maximum velocity. It can certainly go anywhere.
In the increasingly crowded double-cab pickup sector, and even with the loss of the best of its tax breaks, buyers are spoilt for choice. The Chinese Maxus T60 and GWM Poer [sic] are the out-and-out value propositions, the Isuzu slightly less of a utilitarian vibe.
A Ford Ranger is the mid-range default choice, and can be had with a VW badge as the Amarok. Mitsubishi’s L200 and the Toyota HiLux both trade on deserved reputations for quality and longevity. If you want an extremely capable off-roader with Land Rover looks, there’s the costly Ineos Grenadier, but at the moment there’s no pickup version of the latest Land Rover Defender.
THE SPEC
KGM Musso Rhino
Price: From £38,995 + VAT
Engine capacity: 2.2l 4-cyl, turbo diesel, 6sp auto
Power output (hp): 202
Top speed (mph): 107
0 to 60 (seconds): 12
Fuel economy (mpg): 29.6
CO2 emissions (WLTP, g/km): 252
The Rhino is value-biased I’d say, and is a perfectly good compromise on price, image and capability. Given that the basic package in this sector is very similar – four doors, five seats, nicely appointed cabin with SUV overtones, strong off-road potential, chunky, macho styling, and a grunty diesel motor, it’s pretty much a transparent affair to choose one.
It’s “what you see is what you get” with a pickup truck, and a matter of where you choose to make the trade-offs. Most are made in Thailand and are of old-school, basic but rugged body-on-ladder-frame-chassis design. (The Rhino is built in Korea.)
In contrast to the outgoing model, the all-new Rhino is almost delicately styled, particularly at the front, and the nicely sculpted tailgate is reminiscent of the back end of the current Ford Transit. The interior is swathed in real leather (only in black), the seats heated or ventilated, and it has a judicious mix of touchscreen and manual controls.
open image in galleryMy one quibble was that the air con couldn’t be set at below 18C, but I’ve since been advised that setting the dial to 18 tells the car’s computer to cool the overall interior as much as possible, while air from the vents will be considerably chilly – five to 10 degrees. Cool. This was borne out during my time on the off-road section at Cotswold Driving Experience during a heatwave, which felt very reminiscent of the last time I was on dirt tracks in Southern Africa. With the Rhino, at home there too obviously, I was in total control of the terrain, with selectable four-wheel drive in low ratios and locking rear differential.
The forward vision camera told me what I was in for over the brow of any hill. So long as a driver doesn’t panic and press the brake, it will guide you down in complete safety. (I didn’t panic, for the avoidance of doubt.) For the open road, it’s rear-wheel drive only, which helps a little with fuel consumption.
open image in galleryThe Rhino is also available with a slightly longer load bay (“Rhino +”), and will carry up to 1.2 tonnes, and both varieties will tow 3.5 tonnes, which is par for this sector (and gets the business tax breaks). The load space is very competitive. The only apparent drawback to practicality is that it lacks a proper spare wheel. Like its four-legged namesake, the KGM Rhino is available in black, white and grey finishes. All it needs is a horn. Oh, as it happens, it’s even got one of those too, but with no bogus claims to virility.