- Kia introduced the Tasman together with a host of optional accessories.
- The automaker believes that “customization is central to the Tasman’s appeal”.
- Some of the accessories may polish the unconventional looks of the pickup.
The Kia Tasman has emerged as one of the year’s most polarizing debuts, thanks to its unconventional, eyebrow-raising styling. Alongside its global debut, Kia introduced a suite of optional accessories for the midsize truck, designed to boost both functionality and curb appeal—or so they claim. But can these extras actually make the Tasman more enticing to skeptical buyers? Let’s check them out.
The automaker has confirmed it will offer a total of 13 accessory products for its first-ever pickup. Among the offerings are four different bed accessory configurations, two styles of side steps, and a set of beadlock-style wheels. A closer look at the images reveals even more: larger fender extensions, a snorkel, and an off-road bumper equipped with an integrated bull bar.
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The Tasman’s most divisive feature has to be its horizontal, unpainted plastic fenders—a choice that’s sparked more than a few double-takes. Damen Meredith, CEO of Kia Australia, appeared to acknowledge the backlash even before the debut, hinting that a fix was in the works.
Fender Extensions and Bull Bars
The solution, as it turns out, involves a set of chunky fender extensions that follow the contours of the wheel arches, tying them visually to the bumpers and side moldings. This tweak does lend the Tasman a slightly more conventional, rugged look without entirely abandoning its boxy design language. The downside to this is that the rear fender add-ons don’t appear to retain the practical storage compartment found in the stock version.
And then there’s the front end. The Tasman’s face is… challenging. The hood sports a horn-like trim element, and the signature Tiger Nose grille is wedged between fender-mounted headlights in a way that might be intended as aggressive but mostly comes across as awkward.
One potential fix for this design mishap is the hefty protective bull bar, mounted on the optional off-road bumper and flanked by additional LED lights. This accessory admittedly looks cool in the pictured double chassis-cab variant of the truck, especially in combination with the black steelies, side steps, and a snorkel.
In an attempt to downplay the stark contrast of the unpainted plastic elements, Kia has opted for black Tasmans in most of the press photos. It’s a clever trick—black hides a multitude of sins—but it’s hard to shake the feeling that the Tasman was styled by committee, with each member pulling in a different direction.
Bed Accessories
The automaker has also detailed the the four bed accessory configurations. The Single Decker combines a rear canopy with butterfly doors, and a roof rack. The Double Decker also features the trunk with butterfly doors, but adds a sliding tonneau cover and a customisable cargo space. Finally, the Sports Roll Bar doubles as a frame for mounting equipment, while the Ladder Rack is compatible with rooftop tents for camping.
Kia claims that “customisation is central to the Tasman’s appeal”, adding that the accessories are designed to “enhance leisure and work activities”. Given that pickup buyers tend to lean heavily into off-road and practical modifications, these options should help the Tasman carve out a distinct niche—and potentially attract a broader audience in the process.
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Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if the first Kia-branded pickup can realistically compete with well-established rivals like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux that are best-sellers. After all, this is why the Kia Tasman looks like it does in the first place, with its designers adopting a “fresh approach to aesthetics”, in a quest to deviate from the “familiar form language” that defines most pickup trucks in the segment.
Pricing for the truck and its accessory packages remains under wraps, though Kia has confirmed they’ll be sold in bundled packages. The Tasman will first hit the market in Korea, followed by Australia, Africa, and the Middle East in 2025. Accessory availability is expected to vary by region, which might frustrate anyone hoping for full customization options right out of the gate.
