KGM Rexton Commercial Review 2025

The KGM Rexton Commercial is one of a growing number of 4x4 factory van conversions, which aim to plug a gap in the market created by the introduction of car-rated benefit-in-kind taxation for double cab pick-ups.

The KGM Rexton Commercial, like the Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial and Land Rover Defender Hardtop, is aimed at customers who need a heavy duty 4x4 with comprehensive towing ability and a robust nature.

Positioned as a "premium yet practical option" the KGM Rexton Commercial is built to excel in demanding off-road environments, such as construction sites, agricultural land and remote installations.

Its selectable four-wheel-drive system and low-range gearing allow it to navigate muddy tracks, steep slopes, and rough terrain.

The conversion from passenger car to a commercial vehicle is carried out in-house and involves removal of the rear seats and seatbelt mounts, plus the addition of a ply floor with a rubberised covering. Access is via the rear tailgate or conventional hinged side doors. And aside from the darkened glass on the rear windows, there’s no real way of telling this is a commercial vehicle.

It uses selectable four-wheel-drive, engaged via a rotary switch alongside the gear selector, with low range and hill descent control, giving drivers confidence on tricky gradients by regulating speed automatically so brakes aren’t overtaxed.

The old-school 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine might be on borrowed time legislatively, but it’s a powerful, punchy unit with 202PS and a wide spread of torque, peaking at 441Nm. Coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it’s a powerful combination, capable of towing up to 3.5 tonnes.

Unlike some of its pick-up rivals, the KGM Rexton Commercial uses coil springs all-round, so is also more settled when unladen, with better road manners.

As well as its off-road ability, the KGM Rexton Commercial appeals because of its value-for-money pricing and a highly competitive five-year/100,00-mile warranty.

It’s a fair step up into the cabin of the KGM Rexton Commercial, but one inside it’s easy to find a good driving position and visibility is excellent, helped by large door mirrors and a flat bonnet. This makes it easy to see the extremities and position it on the road.

The one downside is when emerging from an angled junction, as KGM has blanked out the side glass in the rear doors – you need to position the Rexton square perpendicular to the line of the junction, or you’re left with a nasty blind-spot.

Performance-wise, it’s surprisingly eager – the 2.2-litre turbodiesel has a punchy 202PS but it’s the 441Nm of torque that gives it gusto. The eight-speed transmission is a decent companion, with smooth shifts and decent torque mapping ensuring it’s always in the correct gear for the best response. It can be quite noisy under hard acceleration but is civilised and refined at when up to speed.

On the road, it handles quite tidily despite being based on a separate ladder chassis. It grips well, body roll isn’t hugely pronounced and the ride is mostly very good, though broken surfaces can transmit vibrations into the cabin. We also found the steering quite vague and lacking in directness.

Off-road, we tested it on a few farm tracks where it gave a decent account of itself, with a very simple rotary controller for selecting four-wheel-drive and low range. KGM quotes a 350mm wading depth and approach and departure angles of 20.5 degrees and 22 degrees, which will cover most off-road situations, while a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity is among the best in class, with a trailer sway control system a useful safety aid.

On the subject of which, while a full host of assistance features is included, the KGM Rexton’s lane-keeping assist is massively over-sensitive and starts beeping as you approach the white line, way before you cross over it – luckily, it’s easily switched off via a thumb switch on the steering wheel.

Inside, the KGM Rexton Commercial impresses with a level of comfort and equipment far beyond typical commercial vehicles, with heated and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and automatic air conditioning.

An 8.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is also a bonus, though some of the interfaces are a little clunky and smartphone mirroring requires a wired connection, for which USB A and C sockets are provided.

Storage is thoughtfully arranged, with generous cubbies and a supportive central armrest, as well as a neat, concealed storage box in front of the gear-selector, ideal for stashing valuables.

Access to the rear is via a tailgate or two hinged side doors. The load bed – separated from the cabin by a mesh bulkhead – is protected by a resilient textured liner that defends against scrapes, knocks and spills.

There are 10 robust lashing points and while the load volume of 2.2 cubic metres might sound modest, the flat floor and box-like dimensions are practical in use – with a 1410mm load length, 1070mm width between the wheelarches and up to 1030mm in height. Additional power outlets in the rear area make it simple to run tools or charge devices on site, too. The overall payload of 700kg is competitive but not class-leading.

We also found there was quite a lot of noise from the load bay during our test, both in terms of echoing from the load area itself and some rattles from the bulkhead and load floor.