SsangYong brought the Kyron to the European market in 2005 as a replacement for the Musso, and it surprised with its look and its price.
While the customers were still trying to spell the difficult brand name, its products had shorter, easier to pronounce nameplates. The Kyron was bigger than its predecessor and tried hard to compete against well-known products such as the Nissan Terrano or Mitsubishi Pajero. The carmaker worked closer with Mercedes-Benz for the powertrains and with the British designer Ken Greenley, a former head of the Royal College of Art’s automotive design course from London.

Unlike its predecessor, the Kyron featured curved lines, and sharp headlights narrowed on the inside, with turn-signals installed on the outboard. Its split grille with vertical slats and curved, V-shaped lines along the hood impressed some customers. From its sides, the sculptured fenders and door panels featured ascending lines to evoke a dynamic form, while the taillights featured a shield-like shape in the rear.

Inside, the carmaker installed a multi-function steering wheel with buttons for the on-board computer and the audio system, while on the center stack, it installed a round pattern for the car’s off-road functions. The dashboard’s sharp lines created a distinct area for the driver, with a center stack slightly tilted toward the driver. Thanks to its long wheelbase, it offered enough comfort for four adult passengers.

The carmaker installed a new, 2.0-liter turbo-diesel engine paired to a standard 5-speed manual gearbox under the hood. SsangYong offered an option for a 5-speed automatic as well. The 4x4 system featured a transfer-case with low-range gear for difficult off-road situations, but it didn’t offer an LSD or a rear differential lock.