The Kia Tasman pickup has finally arrived following what felt like an unending series of previews. It won’t be offered in North America, thus by “here,” we don’t really mean the US. In addition to South Korea, the Ford Ranger rival will be available domestically in Australia, the Middle East, and Africa. The workhorse is available in various flavours, as one might anticipate from a midsize pickup.
Versatile Body Options for Different Needs
In addition to single-cab and double-cab body types, Kia will also provide a chassis cab that may be customized by company owners. The vehicle has an eccentric appearance from almost every perspective, as the preview photos make clear. The back isn’t particularly unique, despite the large emblem that is etched into the tailgate (some people still confuse it for “KN”). The profile with the mustache-like body covering is the most peculiar angle. A more traditional wheel arch, where the black portion encircles the entire wheel arch instead of just the top, will be an option.
Distinctive Exterior
The Tasman’s unusual front fascia, which features vertical headlamps pushed to the sides, makes it stand out as well. To give the truck a more powerful appearance, there is a bulging hood and another large Kia logo. In general, it’s not the Telluride pickup that some people had anticipated, and the same is true of the material beneath the polarizing body. Unlike the Maverick or Ridgeline, which have a unibody construction, this vehicle has a body-on-frame design.
Inside the Tasman
It’s not as rough on the inside as the outside indicates. The Tasman’s triple-screen interior design is more akin to that of a car. A 12.3-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system and a 5-inch display in the centre connects the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Kia hasn’t given up on conventional switchgear, even with the large-screen real estate. Only a few switches and buttons remain to access the most often utilized features.
Designed with Practical Truck Features
The low-range mode switch and locking differential button let you know it’s a real truck. Surprisingly, there is a plaque on the centre console that lists the pickup’s measurements: 212 inches long, 75 inches wide, and 75 inches tall. Although it isn’t stated, we know that the Tasman’s wheelbase is 128.7 inches between the axles.
Power and Performance
Depending on the market, the new Kia Tasman pickup will be available with six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions along with two- and four-wheel-drive configurations.
Powertrain Options and Specs
- Korea: The Kia Tasman pickup gets a 2.5-liter gasoline engine producing 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Not that acceleration matters a lot in this segment, but it’ll hit 62 mph in eight and a half seconds. Flat out, it can do 115 mph.
- Australia: In Australia, the Tasman has a 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine rated at 207 hp and 325 lb-ft. It has the same top speed but takes 10.4 seconds to reach 62 mph.
- Middle East and Africa: Customers can choose from these two gasoline and diesel engines. Both come with 21.1-gallon fuel tanks and a maximum towing capacity of 7,716 pounds.
The payload capacity varies from 2,242 to 2,635 pounds while the cargo bed’s volume is 41.4 cubic feet.
Built for Tough Terrain
Kia designed the Tasman with a stiff rear axle with leaf springs and a double-wishbone front suspension. The vehicle can reportedly ford water up to 31.5 inches deep at 4.3 mph, and some internal components have watertight couplings as a precaution. In order to handle a range of terrain, there are several drive modes available, including Desert, Mud, Snow, and Rock, as well as all-terrain tyres with 17- and 18-inch wheels.
Interior Space and Convenience
In addition to the option to recline the back seats between 22 and 30 degrees, Kia boasts class-leading headroom, shoulder room, and second-row legroom. There are two concealed storage boxes for things you don’t want to keep in the bed when you raise the back seats. The Tasman also features grab grips in the A-pillars, a folding console table, a Harman Kardon sound system, and two wireless charging pads.
Accessories
Kia will begin to offer 13 accessories, such as side stairs and wheels in the beadlock design. The lit bed in the back can be set up with a roll bar, a sliding tonneau cover, or a canopy with butterfly doors. There is also a roof rack that works with a rooftop tent.
Launch and Future Electric Model
Before Kia’s first pickup truck reaches Australia, Africa, and the Middle East in the first half of 2025, Korea will be the first market to receive the Tasman. The world premiere is being held at the Jeddah International Motor Show because the business believes Saudi Arabia will be one of the truck’s primary customers.
Kia has been working on other pickups besides the Tasman, and by 2027, an electric vehicle will be available. It may have been used for spy testing in the US earlier this year. For markets outside of the US, a fully electric Tasman is probably in the works. In order to avoid the 25% tax, Kia would need to manufacture a truck at its Georgia facility if it planned to sell one here.
