2026 KGM Torres Hybrid Ultimate Review

With fuel prices showing no signs of falling back to Earth anytime soon, hybrids have never been more popular. Where a fair chunk of the population are hesitant to make the move to full electric, hybrids provide a safe middle ground of lowering fuel prices without having to commit exclusively to a battery, and worrying about range figures. It’s for this reason that having some sort of hybrid has almost become a prerequisite for the mid-size SUV segment, and KGM is the latest to join in.

As a relatively small Korean manufacturer compared to the likes of Kia and Hyundai, KGM is sometimes mistaken as a Chinese brand. While that isn’t the case on paper, the Torres Hybrid is more Chinese than you might think. That’s because its hybrid system uses a 1.8kWh LFP Blade battery, which is built by BYD. This battery feeds an electric motor on the front axle, which is paired with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The combined outputs of this system are 150kW and 300Nm. A dedicated hybrid transmission sends drive exclusively to the front wheels, as unlike the non-hybrid Torres, an all-wheel drive model isn’t available.  

This powertrain is shared between the two Torres Hybrid grades offered by KGM in New Zealand. The range starts with the standard Torres Hybrid at $49,990, and the Ultimate variant (which is what we tested) starts at $54,990.

At this price, the Torres Hybrid Ultimate is well-appointed with 18-inch alloy wheels, wireless phone charging, and a leather upholstery. As for the tech offering, a pair of 12.3-inch displays work as the digital cluster, and the infotainment system. I was disappointed to see Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity only offered via a cable connection. This feels like quite a miss when wireless phone projection is almost a segment-standard at this point. Other highlights include electrically adjustable seats, with heating. You even get rear seat warmers in this Torres, which is a pleasant surprise at this price point.

The packaging of the Torres is also quite impressive, and there’s a fair bit of room for passengers inside. I didn’t have any issue with headroom in the front row, and I found the leg room was adequate in the second.  

KGM doesn’t provide a luggage capacity figure with the rear seats in place, and claims 1662 litres with the rear seats folded. I can attest that there is plenty of space with these seats folded, as I managed to fit a 65-inch TV in the back (in its box), which was far larger than first anticipated.

On the road, the Torres Hybrid is a decent drive, providing a reasonable ride. While many Chinese SUVs at this price point are overly soft, the Torres is more tightly controlled without becoming harsh. I found it to be a bit fussy around metro areas at low speed, but smoothed out on the motorway. 

One area where the Torres could be more refined is in its power delivery. The petrol engine is very smooth and works well with the CVT, but at low speeds, the electric torque overpowers the front tyres with ease. The Torres isn’t alone in doing this, as a lot of cheaper hybrids suffer from the same issue, but you can be on the receiving end of some discerning looks as the tyres squeal when you pull away from an intersection.  

I was impressed by the driver assistance systems available, as I used adaptive cruise control for most of my time behind the wheel. It has no trouble keeping up with traffic, and slowing when needed. The lane keep assist system was a little less refined, and would be a little more intense with its inputs, alongside a lot of beeping.  

Arguably the most important aspect of any hybrid is its efficiency, and while this model is significantly better than the standard petrol-powered Torres, it doesn’t stand out in its segment. KGM New Zealand claims a combined figure of 5.6L/100km, and I had no trouble hitting this during my time with it. Larger SUVs such as the RAV4 Hybrid or even BYD’s (much cheaper) Sealion 5 PHEV have little trouble falling below the 5L/100km mark. 

As a whole, I’d have no trouble recommending the KGM Torres Hybrid to anyone looking for a mid-size SUV and wanting to save a few dollars. Obviously it isn’t as much of a value proposition as its Chinese counterparts, but it stands out in a crowd with its off-road aesthetic. The overzealous electric power delivery and lack of wireless phone projection deduct points, but aren’t deal-breakers for an otherwise impressive SUV. 

Pair this with the fact KGM offers a five-year/100,000km warranty across its range, and you’ve got peace of mind for years to come.  

KGM Torres hybrid Ultimate 

$54,990  /  5.6L/100km  /  127g/km
0-100 km/h 7.5s
Engine  1498L ,IL4, DI/T
Hybrid output  150kW / 300Nm
Drivetrain  e-CV / FWD
Weight (claimed)  1670kg