- Kia is targeting Southeast Asia and Australia with the Tasman pickup, and possibly Europe too.
- It’s unlikely the mid-size pickup will be sold in the United States due to import taxes.
- A standard 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel is likely, with a V6 option possible.
Update 7/16: Kia’s gearing up to drop a new documentary series, called “One More Round,” taking us on a deep dive into the development of their first-ever pickup truck, the Tasman. Showcasing over 18,000 rounds of testing in the Australian wilderness, the series promises to detail the mid-size pickup’s durability and performance. For now, we’re getting a 30 second teaser with the full clip to be released on July 22.
“The Kia Tasman represents our unwavering dedication to innovation. Every aspect of our R&D Division’s capability has been channelled into creating a vehicle that not only lives up to its title as the first of its kind, but also delivers performance that surpasses expectations,” said Heui Won Yang, President of the Kia R&D Division.
Kia’s model range has steadily expanded over the past two decades, enjoying increasing sales without competing in one of the market’s most competitive segments: pickup trucks. That’s set to change with the long-awaited Kia Tasman.
The pickup truck aims to take on established players in the mid-size segment like the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Mazda BT-50, and Isuzu D-Max. Recently, our spy photographers captured another camouflaged prototype undergoing rigorous testing in Spain’s hot climate. Despite the disguise, we’ve managed to gather many details about the upcoming Tasman.
Read: 2025 Kia Tasman Pickup Rendered To Reality And Everything Else You Need To Know
Visually, the Tasman appears unconventional, though not as radical as the Tesla Cybertruck. While the overall silhouette aligns with other mid-size pickups, the front fascia boasts an intriguing grille design. Kia’s designers have taken a bold approach with the headlights, positioning them lower on the fascia for a distinctive look.
The side profile is where the Kia will make its most dramatic statement. This prototype and others we’ve seen sport a set of boxy wheel arches that dramatically protrude from the rest of the body. The bed also looks quite spacious, and while the taillights of this example are almost completely hidden, they are expected to be trick LED units.
Underpinning the Tasman will likely be the same body-on-frame architecture as the second-generation Mohave SUV. Most versions sold will likely come with the 2.2-liter CRDi four-cylinder found in other Kia and Hyundai models, like the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe, where it produces 199 hp and 325 lb-ft (441 Nm) of torque.
Not too long ago, our spy photographers snapped Kia testing the Tasman against a Ford Ranger Raptor in Sweden. This has prompted speculation that a high-powered version to rival the Ford could also be in the works. Kia and Hyundai have an impressive 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 gasoline unit in their family that could do this job nicely. Another option could be Kia’s 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6.
Key markets for the Tasman will include Southeast Asia and Australia, but there’s a strong chance it could also be sold in Europe. And the U.S.? That’s unlikely as the Tasman will be built internationally and would be subject to the 25% ‘chicken tax’ if sold Stateside and not produced locally.
