The SsangYong Musso long-wheelbase LWB will be arriving in UK dealerships in around April 2020. At 310mm longer than the current version, it will have the longest load bed of any double-cab pickup.
Since going on sale in 2018, the second-generation SsangYong Musso has fallen short when it comes to load space capacity which has no doubt hampered sales, especially with commercial operators. At 1,300mm long, it’s 185mm shorter than the load bed on the Isuzu D-Max – the next shortest of all double-cabs.
SsangYong Musso LWB: Alterations
SsangYong has come up with a practical solution for work-minded buyers. While virtually everything forward of the C-pillar remains the same, the Korean manufacturer has developed a 310mm longer bed, extended the wheelbase by 110mm and replaced the softer coil springs with more rugged leaf spring suspension at the rear.
The result is a double-cab pickup with a load bed length of 1,610mm – 32mm longer than the current longest (Mercedes-Benz X-Class and Nissan Navara). The bed width remains the same at 1,500mm (1,110mm between the wheel arches), as does the extremely high sidewall (up to 600mm).
From front to rear, the SsangYong Musso LWB is a 310mm increase on the current model at 5,405mm. The overall height also increases slightly (15mm) to 1,855mm, although the width remains the same again (2,175mm with the mirrors).
The front-end design also receives the mildest of refreshes. The horizontal chrome bar that epitomises the current grille has been replaced by one that features 10 vertical chrome strips that have been “inspired by the historic Parthenon temple of ancient Greece.” Ok, then.
SsangYong Musso LWB: Long or Short Wheelbase?
The advantages go a lot further than the obvious practical feature of being able to fit more items in; the greater distance between the front and rear axles allows for a more comfortable ride and for more stability when towing.
The most apparent disadvantage is that it will be harder to park in confined spaces and less manoeuvrable. Additionally, it won’t be as agile off-road, with the longer wheelbase more prone to ‘beaching’ and the longer rear overhang more susceptible to getting scraped.
SsangYong Musso: Pricing and Availability
Prices have yet to be confirmed but we can expect a moderate price increase of a couple of thousand to around £22,500 to £27,500 plus VAT. They will arrive into SsangYong dealers in around April 2020; which currently number around 65, but this is expected to increase to around 90 by the end of 2020. The SsangYong Musso LWB is backed by the sector’s best warranty of seven years or 150,000 miles.
SsangYong Musso LWB: Dimensions
| Dimension | Musso SWB | Musso LWB |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5,095 mm | 5,405 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Height | 1,840 mm | 1,855 mm |
| Overhang front | 890 mm | 890 mm |
| Overhang rear | 1,105 mm | 1,305 mm |
| Approach angle | 20° | 19.5° |
| Departure angle | 22.5° | 20.5° |
| Loadbed length | 1,300 mm | 1,610 mm |
| Loadbed width | 1,570 mm | 1,570 mm |
| Leadbed depth | 570 mm | 570 mm |
| Kerb weight | 2,155 kg | 2,260 kg |
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