KGM Rexton Diesel 2.2 K30 Van Auto

Ten Second Review

Need a tough 4x4 van at a more affordable price? Many currently switching away from the pick-up market might be looking for exactly that - in which case, this KGM Rexton Commercial could fit the bill.

Background

Some heavy duty SUVs make a perfect base for a commercial vehicle conversion - models like Land Rover's Defender and the INEOS Grenadier which, sure enough, do come in van variants. If your business needs a particularly tough 4x4 van, it's quite possible that you might have looked at those two particular LCVs and, regretfully, found that they're a little above your price point. In which case, might we suggest you consider the model we're going to look at here, the KGM Rexton Commercial. You might dimly be aware of the KGM Rexton - though you might know it better by its previous name, the SsangYong Rexton. The SsangYong brand was renamed 'KGM' at the end of 2023 but as a product, the big Rexton 4x4 remained almost unchanged. It took until Spring 2025 though, for it to be launched in the commercial vehicle form we look at here.

Driving Experience

All the engineering's the same as with the SUV version of course, so under the bonnet this Rexton gets a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine manufactured by KGM, which delivers maximum power of 202PS and maximum torque of 441Nm. This powerplant delivers progressive acceleration from a standing start - the rest to 62mph sprint takes 10.7 seconds. More important is the way that this proven e-XDi 220 unit has been tuned primarily for the strong low-end torque typical of the Korean maker's powerplants. Transmission is a Hyundai-sourced 8-speed automatic. Like most SsangYong-derived SUVs, this one will be ideal for those wishing to tow. Thanks to a braked towing capacity of 3.5-tonnes, it can deal with heavier items like a double horsebox, a large caravan or a commercial trailer. Like other 4x4 vans in this class, the Rexton features a part time 4x4 system with power delivered permanently to the rear wheels, plus you get a low ratio gearbox for when off-road conditions become more demanding. Off road electronic safety aids like hill start assist and hill decent control are standard and the Rexton offers capable approach and departure angles - 20.5 degrees and 22.2 degrees respectively. On-tarmac, refinement isn't great, but it's aided by a stiff body, decent aerodynamics and plenty of engine isolation.

Design and Build

At first glance, it's very difficult to tell this Rexton Commercial apart from any ordinary Rexton SUV - which of course is intentional. The side and rear doors open normally, but the rear side and tailgate glass is opaque. Inside, the front-of-cabin experience is of course exactly like it is in a Rexton SUV - which means it's very nice indeed for a van. Would you think you were in rival van versions of the INEOS Grenadier or Land Rover Defender? Probably not, but the cabin quality difference to much pricier 4x4 vans of that sort isn't great and there's a big 12.3-inch instrument cluster display and a 9-inch HD centre-dash screen. A proper off roader should have a properly high, commanding driving position - and this one does. You can't really fault the Rexton for cabin storage space. True, these little slots either side of the gearstick aren't much use for anything but the glovebox and door bins are all large and spacious and between the seats, there's also a deep lidded storage box with a lift-out compartment. A storage area at the bottom of the centre stack is obviously intended for your 'phone because close by lie USB and Aux-in ports, plus a couple of 12v sockets. You also get two cup holders below the gearstick and an overhead compartment for your sunglasses.

Market and Model

There are three Rexton Commercial variants, starting with the base 'K30' version costing at launch from around £35,000 excluding VAT. Next up is the mid-range 'K40' model at around £36,000 excluding VAT; and things culminate with the top 'K50' version at around £39,000 excluding VAT. To give you some perspective, at the time of this LCV model's launch, the passenger Rexton SUV was priced from around £42,500 including VAT. More relevant is a price perspective in this Rexton Commercial model's van segment. An INEOS Grenadier Commercial van cost around £52,000 excluding VAT at the time of this KGM's launch; while a rival Land Rover Defender Hard Top van started at around £58,000 excluding VAT in smaller short wheelbase 90 form; that Land Rover model cost around £84,000 ex-VAT for the more comparable long wheelbase 130 model at the time of this review. As expected equipment levels are generous. Even the base 'K30' derivative comes complete with 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, LED headlamps, a 12.3-inch full digital console, dual zone climate control and a 9-inch HD touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto. The 'K40' version adds Nappa leather seats, ambient mood lighting, plus a few extra safety features like blind spot detection and rear cross traffic warning. The flagship 'K50' version includes 20-inch wheels, a sunroof, rear air-conditioning and leather and suede interior trim. 

Practicalities and Costs

Let's get to the LCV facts here. The Rexton Commercial offers a 750kg payload, has a 2,200-litre load area and can tow 3.5-tonnes. That load area (which is 223-litres greater than the seats-down load capacity of a standard Rexton SUV) sits behind a full-height fixed-mesh bulkhead. And to keep prying eyes from checking out the contents of the load bay, KGM has installed opaque reinforced windows at the side and at the rear. The load area is carpeted, but it might be more prudent to specify the optional rubber mat KGM offers. Running costs are of course the same as those of the Rexton SUV (in principle anyway: obviously, if you regularly travel fully loaded-up, it'll hit fuel consumption considerably). As a commercial vehicle, this van is subject to a first year VED tax of £345. And it comes with the usual KGM 5 year/100,000 mile warranty.

Summary

A Rexton isn't quite as tough on the rough stuff as a Land Rover Defender or an INEOS Grenadier, but it gets close enough for most and the price saving for this Commercial version over LCV variants of those two competitors is significant. As with any properly capable 4x4 van, you've to compromise on ultimate load capacity and payload to get the off-road prowess, but for some sections of the target market - people like country vets and jobbing builders - that might not be an issue. One of these would certainly be a lot more tax-efficient than that pick-up you might previously have been considering. Indeed, it's probably the change in tax laws for the pick-up market that prompted KGM to launch this Rexton LCV derivative. Compared to a pick-up, you do without rear seats with a Rexton van of course. But you get a lot in return. Enough to justify the asking price here? You might just think so.