Humans crave new product intel – from Apple’s long-awaited car to the latest camera technology. So, when details of Kia’s entry into the pickup segment landed across this writer’s workstation, the excitement counter valve bounced into the proverbial redline.
Positioned as a global competitor to Ford’s new Ranger and the Toyota Hilux, the mid-size truck, rumored to be called the Tasman, has been spotted wearing the disguise of a Kia Mohave. This clever disguise has sparked speculation about whether it’s a test mule or a separate project, potentially aimed at markets like South Korea and Australia.
Now, an anonymous source close to Kia has shared intriguing details about its appearance and other important aspects, including the availability of both ICE and electric powertrains. However, it’s essential to note that this new truck is not intended for the U.S. and Canadian markets. Curious to learn more? Grab your popcorn and read on.
A Brutalist Outlook
Being a new player in the truck market, Kia is pulling out all the visual tricks to make you stand up and notice. Take the bold front end, for example – it sports a massive ‘tiger-nose’ grille flanked by vertically stacked LED headlamps to emphasize width. The protruding bumper has recessed fog lights and is positioned higher than usual, giving the impression that it could tackle any offroad trail.
There’s almost a hint of Jeep Gladiator with its squared-off wheel arches and boxy, upright glasshouse. Raw carbon fiber-effect trim sits atop the flared fenders, and the door handles are unique with their vertical orientation. Intriguingly, the rear glass wraps around the C-pillar for an open, airy cabin, and the blocky taillamps also seem inspired by the Jeep school of design.
Interior Minimalism
Unlike the muscular exterior, our source has indicated that the Kia Tasman’s interior has taken a different design route with a clean, minimalist interior. Cork inlays and 3-dimensional trim elements sit behind a dual panoramic curved display consisting of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment display.
Goodies will likely include standard-fit wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and a 360-degree Surround-View monitor. The truck will seat five, and indications suggest it’ll be among the more spacious offerings in the mid-size truck arena.
Under The Skin
The good folk over at PerformanceDrive, citing an insider from Kia, report that the truck will be body-on-frame to aid off-road credentials, and braked towing capacity will max out close to 3500kg/7716 pounds (petrol/diesel models). It’ll be similar in length to its rivals at 5400mm/212.59 inches.
It’s also believed that at least three powertrains will be on the cards. The first is a 2.2-litre ‘Smartstream’ turbocharged diesel four, pumping out roughly 157kW/210hp and 420Nm/310 ft-lbs. Next is a petrol-fueled 2.5-litre turbo four shared with Hyundai’s Sonata N-Line, putting 206kW/276 hp to the ground via an eight-speed auto.
Perhaps the most exciting news will be a fully electrified version. The EV variant won’t sacrifice towing capacity at a competitive 3400kg/7495 pounds. As for performance metrics, its dual-motor arrangement develops a substantial 410kW/550 hp and 800Nm/590 ft-lb. Electrons are stored in a 123kWh battery pack with a range of up to 450km (280 miles), and its 800v architecture should enable DC fast charging of up to 250kW.
Rivals & Reveal
Key rivals for the ICE-versions of the Kia Tasman include Ford’s Ranger, Toyota Tacoma and Hilux, Jeep Gladiator, Nissan Frontier/Navara, and the Mazda BT-50 and Isuzu D-Max. The electric variants, on the other hand, may face fewer direct competitors depending on the market, and could potentially be a unique offering.
According to our sources, the new Tasman pickup truck that will be produced at Kia’s Hwaseong plant in South Korea is intended to be offered in many markets, with an introduction expected sometime in 2024. However, it doesn’t look like it will be available in North America due to the so-called Chicken Tax, which imposes a 25% tariff on light trucks imported to the US. Additionally, the EV model will not qualify for the $7.5k federal tax incentive, making it even less appealing.
Nonetheless, rumors suggest that Kia is planning an entirely different electric truck for North America, possibly related to the upcoming EV9.
What do you think of Kia’s truck ambitions? We’d love to hear your views in the comments below.
Note: This story features CarScoops illustrations that are not endorsed or affiliated with Kia.