2022 SsangYong Musso details: Isuzu D-Max, LDV T60 and GWM Ute rival lacks more powerful engine

A new Expedition variant will be offered in South Korea, but it's not clear if it will arrive in Australia.

Just months after the facelifted Musso hit showrooms, SsangYong has unveiled yet another update for its workhorse.

The facelifted ute, discovered by SsangYong in South Korea, features a more powerful 2.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine, with power and torque up from 133kW and 400Nm in the current version to 149kW and 441Nm. 

However, a spokesman for SsangYong Australia said that Cars Guide that the Australian market version would not be offered with a boosted engine. 

Musso, due in showrooms this March, will continue to run with the same engine as before. 

The updated Musso for the Korean market uses diesel exhaust fluid, which requires an additional fuel tank, according to a spokesperson. This takes up space in the spare tire area and means it cannot be fitted with a full size spare tire. SsangYong Australia opted to keep a full size spare in place of the uprated engine.

Had it taken a more powerful donk, it would have been closer to the competition, including the Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT-50 twins (140kW/450Nm), Ford Ranger 3.2L (147kW/470Nm), Nissan Navara (140 kW / 450 Nm). and LDV T60 Pro (160 kW/500 Nm), but more than Mitsubishi Triton (133 kW/430 Nm) and GWM Ute (120 kW/400 Nm).

Musso's off-road brother, the Rexton, received an engine upgrade as part of a mid-life refresh launched in Australia in early 2021. 

New features coming to the Aussie Musso include a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, up from the current model's 7.0-inch LCD panel, LED interior lighting, a new overhead console with LED map lights and seat belt reminders.

Other changes to the Musso that won't be introduced in Australia include an electronic power steering system that SsangYong says improves steering feel and reduces noise, vibration and harshness.

In Australia, it will continue with hydraulic power steering, meaning the local version will not have adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist.

The Musso was already equipped with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and a driver assistance system.

Another feature of the Korean market that we won't see here is INFOCNN, which has features like remote car start, air conditioning remote control, and infotainment system. It also gets a 9.0-inch multimedia screen (up from 8.0-inch) in the home market.

South Korea is also getting a new flagship Expedition variant with solid styling cues such as a thruster bar, black grille and other unique touches.  

SsangYong unveiled an update for the Musso in June 2021 that marked a significant facelift with a bold new front end design with a larger grille, restyled bumper and new front and rear lights.

The Musso is Australia's best-selling SsangYong by the country mile, with 1883 units sold in 2021 compared to the runner-up Rexton's 742 units. Korando was third on 353.

More details, including pricing, will be released closer to the showroom debut in March.