Taken over by a Korean industrial group and renamed in 2023; that bit of ownership history change has impacted the brand’s ability to gain Irish market share in what is a competitive and discerning 4x4 pick-up market that is dominated by the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger.
That’s the history bit put into some context, so now we need to see where the new KGM Musso Q300 fits in terms of performance and features.
To understand where the Musso Q300 fits into the market, I’ve compared its specification and performance with the latest generation Toyota Hilux, which was recently unveiled at Ploughing 2026 (see table at the bottom of the article).
The KGM Musso Q300 is powered by a 2.2l turbo-diesel engine that derives some of its engine design from the previous versions where there was a Mercedes-Benz connection.
This engine delivers slightly less power and more significantly less torque than its Hilux counterpart.
Those performance figures don’t impact significantly on its towing ability, which rated at 3.5t is as good as any other 4x4 pick-up on the market.
There is not a noticeable feeling of the engine being underpowered and out on the road. The six-speed automatic gearbox is smooth in operation.
On the road
Driving on the road allows the pick-up to cruise at 120km/hour, at relatively low 1,800rpm engine revs, which helps it to achieve a competitive fuel economy figure of 9.54l/100km or 10.5km/l.
Couple this with a slightly smaller 75l fuel tank than some of the competitive and in theory, with on road driving this should deliver a range of over 750km on a full tank.
The test Musso Q300 did not come with a tow bar, so it was not possible to put its 3.5t rated towing performance to the test.
I took it off road on some relatively dry stubble fields with the opportunity to also assess the 4x4 system ease of use.
The dial controlled system performed well with modest off-road tyres.
The system is electronically controlled and to engage the low 4x4 option you will need to bring the transmission to neutral, which is typical of current similar 4x4 systems.
The rear load area is slightly shorter while wider and with deeper sides than that of the Hilux.
The tailgate is not part of the central locking system, so needs a separate key lock function. There is a full range of approved after-market kits to cover the pick-up area and provide further load secure storage. The side bumper integrated step for easier access to the pick-up area is also a useful feature.
Internally, there is a modern feel to the Musso Q300’s styling including a large central infotainment screen.
The heating system is easy to use with clear rotary dials, while a multi-function steering wheel that feels good to the touch provides additional controls for the radio and other features.
Wireless phone charging is included along with two front USB charge points, so overall, the Musso Q300 is well equipped for everyday use.
This 4x4 pick-up has an impressive Euro NCAP safety report helped by its use of a range of modern ADAS safety systems. What I liked about the Musso Q300 system, which can be annoying on smaller rural roads, is that it was easy to disengage the lane departure warning system, but the price that we pay for these systems is that that disengagement function must be repeated on each journey.
The KGM Musso Q300 is built around a ladder chassis design, which in all such cases brings its comfort shortcomings compared with modern car suspensions. In general terms, this 4x4 pick-up handled the roads very well and is comparable with the more dominant competition in terms of road holding and comfort.
The slightly shorter Musso Q300 does offer an additional benefit of a tighter turning circle than the likes of the Toyota Hilux. The price advantage of the KGM Musso Q300 is the feature that will bring a second look. At €51,950 including VAT, or £46,794 in Northern Ireland, this is among the keenest 4x4 pick-ups on the market. The brand needs more dealers and the price reflects the need to aggressively enter the market with a value offering that includes a five-year or 120,000km warranty offer.
There is always a slight leap of faith to move to one of the lesser known brands such as KGM and where it can match performance and economy, then the substantial price difference looms strongly.
More local dealers would give the KGM brand the stability and confidence to encourage more customers because the value is clear, while the features, performance and reliability are no longer the issue.
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