The What Van? Road Test: Ssangyong Musso

Date: Monday, May 15, 2023

Detail Engine Copy

Powertrain

Fitted with common rail fuel injection, the Musso’s four-cylinder in-line 16-valve diesel delivers its top power at 3,800rpm. Maximum torque of 441Nm – 5% up on the previous
model – bites across a 1,600rpm-to-2,600rpm plateau.

Periodic AdBlue top-ups should ensure that exhaust emissions comply with Euro 6D requirements, and you will find the filler point for the 25-litre AdBlue reservoir behind the refuelling flap on the truck’s nearside.

Driving

Put some weight in the back if you want a smoother journey. The Musso Saracen’s ride is on the nervous side when unladen, with a constant pit-a-pat from the wheels and suspension that becomes irritating after a while.

In-cab noise levels are otherwise well-suppressed, and there is good news where the handling is concerned. While the steering needs regular correction when you are on
the motorway the truck sweeps majestically through tight bends on A and B roads, without showing any signs of coming unstuck even when pushed quite hard.

The aforementioned Eco setting is fine if you are lightly-laden and offers sufficient on-highway performance. Power makes better sense if you are heavily-burdened and summons up ample performance that allows you to thunder past slower-moving traffic without breaking sweat.

Grab-handles on the A and B-pillars can be clung onto by passengers as the truck bounces through the mud. Off-road it is a perfectly competent performer, churning its way across muddy fields, sloshing through streams, and steadily grinding its way up deeply-rutted farm trucks as sheep look on unconcerned.

What Van? Britain's biggest and best van buyers' guide