2027 KGM Musso: What WA Ute Buyers Need to Know Before October

The next-generation KGM Musso is headed to Australian showrooms in October 2026, and for WA buyers weighing up alternatives to the Ford Ranger or the flood of new Chinese utes, it's worth a serious look — with a few caveats.

Same Diesel Engine, Sharper Skin

Don't expect a mechanical revolution under the bonnet. Australian Government certification documents confirm the new Musso carries over its 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder, producing 133kW of power — identical to the outgoing model. Torque figures aren't listed in the filings, but the current Australian-spec Musso sits between 400Nm and 420Nm depending on variant, so expect something similar.

The six-speed automatic and part-time four-wheel drive system also carry over. For WA buyers who do regular runs out to places like the Kimberley, the Pilbara, or down south on unsealed roads, that 4WD setup and diesel efficiency will still be the main draw.

Braked towing capacity stays at 3500kg — the benchmark buyers in this segment have come to expect — while payload ranges from 903kg for short-wheelbase variants to 1123kg for the longer version. That LWB payload in particular makes it competitive for tradies and anyone carrying serious gear.

Two Body Lengths, Multiple Grades

KGM will again offer the Musso in short-wheelbase (SWB) and long-wheelbase (LWB) configurations. The SWB comes in Advance and Ultimate trims, while the LWB spans base, ELX, Advance and Ultimate grades — so there's a genuine entry point for budget-conscious buyers and a properly specced-up top trim for those who want the lot.

The new body is noticeably tougher looking than before, with chunky black plastic wheel arches and a rear bumper step similar to what you get on the Ranger. The interior gets dual 12.3-inch screens, and higher grades bring a sunroof, ambient lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear outboard seats. Safety kit includes autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot assist, adaptive cruise control, driver monitoring, lane-centring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera with transparent chassis view.

One detail that sounds minor but genuinely isn't: the new Musso finally gets a lap/sash centre rear seatbelt as standard. If you're regularly carrying a family member or an extra worker in the back seat on long WA country drives, that matters.

Where It Sits in a Crowded Market

The Musso is under real pressure. KGM has delivered just 615 examples across Australia to the end of May 2026 — down 30 per cent on the same period last year. Chinese rivals like the LDV Terron 9, Foton Tunland and JAC T9 are closing the gap, and the Kia Tasman — the only other diesel Korean ute on sale here — is outselling it significantly with 2094 units over the same stretch.

For Perth buyers, the Musso's relative value proposition has always been its combination of Korean build quality, a proper diesel drivetrain, and pricing that undercuts the mainstream Japanese and American competition. Whether the new generation's refreshed styling and updated tech are enough to reverse the sales slide will depend heavily on where KGM lands the pricing — which hasn't been announced yet.

If you're in the market for a workhorse dual-cab that can tow 3500kg, carry serious payload, and handle WA's variable conditions without the uncertainty some buyers still associate with newer Chinese brands, the 2027 Musso is worth putting on your shortlist when it arrives in October.