• The Kia Tasman midsize pickup has inspired digital renderings of a rugged SUV sibling.
  • This model could rival the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, and Isuzu MU-X.
  • Kia has no plans for an additional version of the Tasman in the foreseeable future.

If success is measured by how much noise a new product makes, then Kia’s Tasman is already off to a strong start. As the Korean brand’s foray into the pickup market, it arrives with a design that, let’s be honest, you can’t ignore. Whether you find it daring or downright divisive, the Tasman’s unapologetically polarizing styling has already done its job—getting people talking. That same distinctive look has also inspired digital artists, who wasted no time envisioning a hypothetical SUV version.

In fact, we have two different takes on what a Kia Tasman SUV could look like, brought to life by rendering artists Theophilus Chin and Nikita Chuicko. Both envisioned a five-door SUV with a shortened wheelbase, a redesigned rear end, and a more SUV-friendly body style. The illustrations retain the truck’s upright nose, generous ground clearance, and large wheels wrapped in rugged tires—key elements that make the original stand out.

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Theophilus Chin used the latest Toyota Land Cruiser as a base for his render to achieve the right proportions. The rear end can easily pass for a Kia, thanks to the modern LED graphics on the taillights. An interesting bit is the rear door handles, which are nicely integrated into the rear fenders.

On the other hand, Nikita Chuicko went for a cleaner, less controversial look. Gone are the rugged plastic claddings, replaced with body-colored fenders for a more cohesive appearance. His version also boasts longer roof rails and a rear design that’s more faithful to the pickup, keeping that Tasman DNA intact but in a more polished form.

Illustrations: Theophilus Chin / YouTube

Illustrations: Nikita Chuicko / Kolesa.ru

Whether we’ve simply gotten used to the unconventional look of the Tasman or not, it certainly seems more appealing in SUV form. Still, Australian outlet CarsGuide reports that a Tasman-based SUV is not planned—at least not in the immediate future.

When asked about an additional bodystyle flavor of the pickup, John Buckingham, Head of Kia Next Design Exterior, said: “We are not exploring that at the moment. So we haven’t got anything on our drawing boards. I really like what the Tasman has and, just from my point of view, it has a huge amount of potential as a visual statement. But that’s all we have at the moment.”

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While the designer’s comments suggest that a Tasman SUV is not under development, he doesn’t completely rule out the possibility for the future, adding: “We have to see what comes of it really”.

In theory, a Kia Tasman SUV—or perhaps a next-gen Mohave—could challenge the likes of the Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Fortuner, Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, and Isuzu MU-X, all of which are built on ladder-frame platforms derived from midsize pickups. If Kia ever decides to pursue it, the Tasman SUV could be a interesting contender in that space.

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