The Rexton Commercial returns but this time it's slightly different. With SsangYong having changed its name the KGM Rexton Commercial is an altogether new name for the LCV world, but the model itself is still very familiar.
Ssangyong was perhaps best known for its SsangYong Musso pick-up truck, but before it found success with that model the company was (in)famous for its range of car-derived, 4x4 LCV conversions.
It seemed like every model got its rear seats ripped out from the Korando to the Rexton, there was a Commercial version of nearly everything, except the Tivoli small car.
That trend faded, and after changing its name from SsangYong to KGM (short for KG Mobility) there were no LCV conversions in the range, but with the changes to the double cab pick-up tax rules, KGM saw an opportunity to transform some of its spare Rexton SUVs into a van.
The base Rexton car is a large, seven-seater SUV, with the fifth-generation model having been introduced in 2021, but the model this is based on was actually updated earlier this year.
Like all conversions of this nature, the KGM Rexton Commercial sees the car's rear row of seats removed, replaced by a flat floor and a mesh bulkhead.
The rear side door windows are blacked out, but the doors themselves remain usable to give side access to the 2.2m³ loadspace.
The cargo area is also accessible via the electrically powered rear tailgate, and the floor has been lined with a rubberised matting, to add some sound proofing and a degree of non-slip.
There's a choice of three trim levels for the KGM Rexton Commercial, with K30, K40 and K50 trims.
Tested here is the K50 trim which includes not very LCV-like 20-inch alloy wheels, as well as a powered sunroof. There's also a memory function for the driver's seat, which are leather on K40 trim and above.
K40 models also include an around-view camera system and a blind-spot detection system. There's also a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.
Power for the Rexton Commercial comes with a 2.2-litre diesel engine, with 202hp and 441Nm of torque. It's paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
The driveline is the only combination and power choice available for the Rexton LCV.
Understandably as a conversion there is only one size of Rexton Commercial, which means it's rather simple to explain how big it is.
The Rexton is 4.85m long, 1.8m high and 1.96m wide. It's cargo area has capacity for 2.2m3 with a maximum length of 1.9m, a height of 0.85m and a width of 1.1m.
For more a more detailed breakdown of the KGM Rexton Commercial dimensions read the complete size guide.
Once upon a time SsangYong interiors were not very nice. Cheap plastics, questionable quality and a deisgn from past decades.
Thankfully the KGM Rexton Commercial is none of those things. Appearance wise it looks decent enough, with a good deal of chrome and piano black finishes.
The ergonomics also aren't terrible, with a comfortable driving position, good all round visibility and a nicely chunky steering wheel with infotainment and mobile phone controls.
The screen could do with being angled a bit more towards the driver as it picks up a lot of reflections, and the touchscreen itself is also not very responsive. It feels like it's perhaps struggling to deal with the computational weight of the smartphone mirroring like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Lower your expectations and you'll be pleasantly surprised at how good the KGM Rexton is to drive.
For SUV owners and those used to the premium feel expected of a large 4x4 the Rexton will inevitably dissapoint. However, if you come at it from the point of view of a commercial vehicle then it's not a bad bit of kit at all.
That's not to say that all vans driver badly, they're just not quite in the league of the mega-money SUVs people seem to all lust after.
The performance of the 2.2-litre engine is pleasantly suprising, with a good amount of torque that comes in nice and early. The engine does feel quite industrial, which lends itself to a heavily laden commercial vehicle, but it does mean there's also a lot of noise to contend with.
The eight-speed transmission is also a little on the slow side, and you can be found wanting the gears, particularly the first few, to come a lot quicker. It means that progress can be a little slow and disjointed. That said, the shifts are nice and smooth and despite its lethargy it's a decent double act.
It's not the most dynamic vehicle, though. That's partly because this is a large SUV, but also because despite its pretences of being a family runabout, the Rexton's underpinning are deeply commercial in their nature.
The Rexton uses a ladder frame chassis, the same chassis used in the Musso pick-up truck, so it's littler wonder that it feels like a pick-up.
Considering the chassis though, the Rexton Commercial does well dynamically, gripping well in the corner and showing little in the way of body roll. The turn in from the steering is more pick-up truck like than sporty SUV and you'll need to work it quite a lot. It's also quite wooly, and disconnected from the road.
Like a pick-up truck, the ride is also quite harsh. It's a rough and ready sort of experience, far removed from the expectations of a premium SUV.
Soft-roader isn't a term used often enough, but it's one that should definitely apply to the Rexton Commercial.
While on paper there's a good deal of kit to make it a capable off-roader, you wouldn't want to really test its limits.
There's selectable four-wheel-drive, a low-range mode and approach and departure angles of 20.5 degrees and 22 degrees. There's also a 500mm wading depth.
But, turn off the Tarmac and it's a pretty disappointing experience. That already hard ride becomes bone jarringly brittle. The traction control works overtime, hampering progress and the wooly steering doesn't do it many favours either.
Sure, the Rexton Commercial can go off road, but we'd expect many of them won't and that's probably better for everyone.
That said, if you want to really use it for work the Rexton Commercial does get a 3.5 tonne towing capacity. There's also a trailer sway control system for added assistance.
Priced at £34,995 for the entry-level model and just £38,995 for the top-spec trim, the money is a compelling arguement in the Rexton Commercial's favour.
Add in the tax benefits of having a bona fide commercial vehicle and the LCV rate of VED, and flat rate BIK make this a very cheap all rounder.
It's not a posh SUV like a Volvo, Ineos Grenadier Commercial or even a Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial, but it is a cheap one. That alone will win it some customers, and if you simply want a cheap runabout that's friendly on your pocket there are worse ways to spend your money.
