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SsangYong Musso Pickups
It's time to recognise Musso as a well established brand of competitive, stylish pick-ups that not only work hard in this niche segment, but also represent great value for money.
This information and data spotlights the history of the SsangYong Musso pickups and timeline of the variants from 2018 through to the present day.
History of SsangYong Musso Pickup Trucks
The South Korean automaker SsangYong has been making intermediate SUVs and pickups since 1993.
In 1994, they launched the Musso SUV into the UK market. It was their first vehicle to use the famous Daimler-Benz technology.
This unique collaboration between Musso and Mercedes also resulted in a double cab pick-up version, called the Musso Sports.
They started producing the SUV in 1993. But, we had to wait until 2002 for the release of the mid-sized Musso Sports pick-up.
Even though SsangYong's new pickup truck adopted the nameplate from Musso, the setup for the body-on-frame platform (e.g. ladder frame chassis construction) actually came from the SsangYong Rexton.
Musso Timeline: 2018 to 2024
2018: Musso Q200 Series
The Q200 made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2018. It shares the chassis and the Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) with the second generation of the Rexton SUV.
The Musso pickup is available in either two-wheel or part-time four-wheel drive and there are two engine choices:
- 181 horsepower 2.2 L e-XDI 220 diesel.
- 225-horsepower 2.0 L e-XGDI 200T petrol turbo.
Further options include the AISIN 6-speed automatic transmission or the 6-speed manual transmission.
Another key feature of the Musso pickup truck is the Five-link suspension with optional locking differential.
SsangYong offers the long wheelbase model XLV with a rear leaf suspension in the base ELX model for the Australian market. The mid spec Ultimate is optional.
But, the United Kingdom market gets the Musso Rhino long wheelbase model. This variant uses the market model name as a top of the range trim level for buyers in New Zealand.
Enhanced Safety Features
The safety equipment in Musso pickup trucks is impressive. It has six (6) airbags and several smart safety driving systems, including Autonomous Emergency Brake System (AEBS), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Blind Spot Detection (BSD).
Pro Tip: SsangYong unveiled the Rexton Sports Culmen in May 2023. It looks like this will be the facelifted model for the new Musso pickup.
2002: Musso Sports
Some might know it as the Daewoo Musso Sports, but the production of the P100 series Musso Sports is a 4-door dual cab pickup version started in 2002 and continued until 2006.
It uses an engine, gearbox, and seats all designed by Mercedes-Benz. Plus, some later models also feature an option for the turbo diesel, along with 'fins', extra tail lights, canopy, and chrome plated trimmings.
All-Wheel-Drive Technology
SsangYong's many years of experience in AWD technology shows itself in the truck's 4 wheel drive system. In other words, you get better efficiency and greater fuel economy.
Selectable 4WD delivers power to the rear wheels "permanently". The electronics diall-in the front wheel drive as and when required by the on and off-road conditions.
Pro Tip: Check out our pickup models comparison guide for a list of the key features and technical specifications available in the new models reaching the showroom forecourts this year.