Will Kia’s first pickup truck win over customers if it looks like this?
May 5, 2024 at 16:00
- The new pickup will compete with the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger.
- Kia is expected to sell the Tasman with the brand’s existing 2.2-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder.
- Underpinning the truck will be the same body-on-frame architecture as the Kia Mohave SUV.
The Tasman pickup is a significant new vehicle for the brand, and it’s set to hit the market with a distinctive exterior design unlike any other truck.
These renderings of the new Kia Tasman are based on both the official photos released by Kia last month that showed a prototype bathed in brightly-colored camouflage as well as the prototypes that have been captured on numerous occasions by spy shooters.
Read: Kia Teases Tasman And Explains U.S. Sightings, Leakers Reveal EV9-Style Interior
The front end of the pickup is particularly intriguing and includes a pair of small headlights on the outer edges of the fascia, sitting in line with the black front wheel arches.
Not only is the positioning of these lights a little unconventional, but they also have an intriguing T-shaped daytime running light. Created by Kelsonik for Kolesa, the renderings depict the Tasman with an unusual grille that includes a black central element flanked by body-colored inserts.
The sides of the new Kia are also quite unusual. Black wheel arches and a sharp crease running across the doors immediately grab attention. The rear end is more conventional, featuring an LED light bar and intricate LED taillights positioned vertically, similar to most other pickups.
Underpinnings and powertrains
The Tasman is believed to be underpinned by the same body-on-frame architecture as the second-generation Mohave SUV, which itself dates back to the 2008 Borrego. While engine options will likely vary between markets, we know there is at least one diesel in the cards that’ll probably be the group’s 2.2-liter four-cylinder CRDi found in other Kia and Hyundai models.
This diesel powerplant, which is already employed in the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento across global markets, delivers 199 horsepower (149 kW / 202 PS) and 325 lb-ft (441 Nm) of peak torque. Kia is anticipated to pair it with an automatic transmission and selectable all-wheel drive in the Tasman.
@eftm Inside the KIA TASMAN ute! First video as some lads post the first video of inside the first big Korean Ute for Australia #leak #exclusive #sneak #mule #test #kia #tasman #eftm ♬ original sound – EFTM.com
The Koreans may also consider introducing a larger 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 option for the pickup truck, although this remains unconfirmed. Regardless, Kia’s target for the Tasman includes achieving a towing capacity of 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) and a payload of 1,000 kg (2,204 lbs) with the available powertrains.
The Tasman is positioned directly against established rivals like the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Triton, and VW Amarok, and will be available for sale in Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, Korea, Africa, and the Middle East.
U.S. Availability: A Missed Opportunity?
Unfortunately, there’s little to no chance of the Kia Tasman being sold in the U.S. The primary culprit is the 25% “chicken tax” levied on foreign-made pickup trucks. This tax would automatically make the Tasman uncompetitive in the States compared to its domestic and established rivals like the Ford Ranger.
While Kia prototypes have been spotted undergoing testing in the U.S., this doesn’t indicate a future North American release. Kia confirmed this in their official response when we reached out:
“At this time, Kia America does not have any official announcements related to the Tasman, despite reports of a prototype undergoing testing in the U.S.,” a Kia spokesperson told Carscoops. “It’s important to note that Kia’s California Proving Grounds is located in the Mojave Desert, serving as a vital hub for R&D and evaluating Kia vehicles, including those meant for global markets. The Tasman testing at this facility does not imply plans for its sale in the U.S. market.