This Korean SUV Is A Blatant Jeep Grand Cherokee Copy

Are you in the market for a brand-new Jeep Grand Cherokee but don't have $39,000 to spend? Well, South Korea is coming to the rescue. Despite some recent financial issues, Korean automaker SsangYong just teased a new SUV called the Torres. This model will sit above the Korando as a more rugged option with more off-road capability. The Torres arrives sporting a bold new look that differs greatly from any other SsangYong models. In fact, we think it looks suspiciously close to the current Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Jeep owns the rights to a seven-slot grille, and has even sued companies like Mahindra for building vehicles that look too much like its iconic Wrangler. SsangYong has possibly got around this issue by only giving the Torres six slots on its grille. The squared-off lower grille area looks more like the three-row Grand Cherokee L, though the rear styling is nothing like any current Jeep model.

Obviously, any exterior similarities between the Torres and the Grand Cherokee are purely in the eyes of the beholder. As for the interior, the two are quite different. These pictures show the most luxurious T7 trim level, which looks quite premium. The Torres boasts three screens, including an infotainment touchscreen, a lower touchscreen for climate controls, and a digital gauge cluster. Nothing in this cabin is particularly Jeep-like, though the steering wheel gives us serious Audi A8 vibes.

SsangYong has only teased the Torres thus far, so we don't have full powertrain specifications. But don't go expecting a smooth V6 or a punchy V8 like the Grand Cherokee. We expect the Torres to use the same 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as the Korando, which produces 168 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque. This engine should send power to front- or all-wheel-drive through a six-speed automatic transmission. There's no chance SsangYong will suddenly announce plans to sell vehicles in the US and bring the Torres here. Even if it did, we doubt it would outsell the Jeep Grand Cherokee.