KGM Torres Gets More Power, Better Gearbox — But When Does WA Get It?

The KGM Torres has only been on WA driveways since 2024, but KGM has already pushed through a meaningful facelift in its home market of South Korea. The updated model brings a more powerful engine, a new automatic transmission, proper physical climate controls, and terrain modes that would genuinely come in handy if you're heading beyond the bitumen. Whether WA buyers will see these changes anytime soon is another matter entirely.

What's Actually Changed — and Why It Matters

Under the bonnet, KGM has squeezed more out of the Torres's 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. Power climbs by 5kW to 125kW, and torque rises by 20Nm to a solid 300Nm. That's not a dramatic leap, but in a mid-size SUV used for school runs in the northern suburbs or weekend runs down to Mandurah, every bit helps.

The bigger mechanical news is the transmission swap. The old six-speed torque converter automatic has been replaced by an eight-speed Aisin unit — a well-regarded gearbox used across plenty of the industry. Buyers can choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. Inside the cabin, you'll spot the difference immediately: the new Torres uses a lever-style gear shifter rather than the toggle set-up that divided opinions on the current model.

On the interior front, KGM has joined the growing list of brands ditching touchscreen-only climate controls in favour of physical buttons and dials. The steering wheel has also been redesigned with dial controls positioned below the spokes. If you've ever tried to adjust the air conditioning on the Kwinana Freeway at 100km/h without taking your eyes off the road, you'll understand why this change is a straightforward win.

The infotainment system steps up to KGM's Athena 2.5 platform on a 12.5-inch display, now with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Twin wireless charging pads sit beneath the climate controls — handy for anyone who spends serious time in the car navigating WA's sprawling road network.

The Features WA Drivers Will Notice Most

For buyers who use their SUV as an actual SUV — and plenty of WA drivers do, whether it's tracks through the Wheatbelt, long hauls up to Broome, or weekend trips to the South West — the new terrain modes are worth paying attention to. The updated Torres adds sand, mud, and snow modes to assist all-wheel-drive models across varying surfaces. Sand mode alone makes this relevant for WA buyers in a way it simply wouldn't be for most other markets.

The exterior gets a refreshed front and rear bumper design with integrated bash plates, giving it a slightly more purposeful look that suits WA conditions better than the outgoing version's softer styling.

Safety kit includes intelligent cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, and trailer sway assist — a practical inclusion if you're towing a boat or camper trailer.

What WA Buyers Should Do Right Now

The current KGM Torres line-up starts from $38,000 drive-away across six variants spanning petrol, hybrid, and full electric powertrains. That's a competitive entry point in the mid-size SUV segment, particularly when you factor in WA's fuel prices and the running cost advantage of the hybrid and EV variants around the city.

KGM has not confirmed an Australian launch date for the updated Torres, and given the model only arrived locally in 2024, it could be a year or more before the revised version reaches Perth showrooms. Details on updates to the Torres Hybrid and Torres EV are also yet to be released.

If you're actively shopping for a mid-size SUV right now, the current Torres is still worth a look at that price point. But if you can wait and the facelift lands locally with the same specs as the Korean model, it shapes up as a noticeably more rounded package.