A few months ago we shared spy photos from the new Kia Tasmanthe brand’s first pickup truck. Designed primarily for AustraliaAfrica and the Middle East to fight with trucks like that Ford Ranger And Toyota Hilux, the midsize body-on-frame Tasman is quickly approaching its debut, and Kia has just released the first official teaser image. Despite the wrap designed by New Zealand artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop, we imagine the Tasman will have the strangest design of any pickup truck on sale – and I think that’s a good thing.
The Tasman has super blocky, upright proportions with a blunt face that reminds me of a hippopotamus. Small headlight housings are pushed into the corners, and a snout-like grille opening sits above a prominent bumper. The headlights flow into black plastic fender flares that look pretty cool, and the Tasman has thick all-terrain tires.
We can also see a raised C-pillar, some nice clean surface lines on the sides, steps recessed into the rear bumper and taillights protruding from the rear corners. Overall it’s something special so far, certainly not just a new edition of existing trucks. Kia has taken extremely bold styling risks with new cars like this EV6, EV9 And K4, and the risks paid off – 2023 was the brand’s best sales year ever. If Kia really wants to compete in such a competitive market, it needs to stand out, and it seems like the Tasman will do just that.
Still, we don’t know many details about the Tasman’s mechanicals or drivetrain, which are obviously of great importance to truck buyers. Previous reports said the Tasman will get a 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine with automatic or manual transmission, and there could also be Kia’s 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6. Here’s what Kia said in its press release about the Tasman’s positioning:
The Path Never Taken concept embodies the adventurous spirit of the Kia Tasman, which will inspire customers to embark on journeys of discovery and adventure in a vehicle that puts reliability and performance at the forefront. Through this theme, the Kia Tasman will take people to unknown and beautiful landscapes. Not only does the Tasman effortlessly fulfill the role of a work-oriented pickup truck, but it is also designed to meet customers’ diverse personal needs. The versatile Kia truck is suitable for a demanding 24/7 lifestyle and supports even the most extreme recreational activities.
Even though the truck looks basically finished, Kia says the Tasman won’t hit the market until 2025. Tasman prototypes have been spotted testing in the US, and while that doesn’t necessarily mean the truck will be sold here, Kia has previously discussed developing trucks for the US market, and strong rumors suggest the Tasman will be offered in America. As long as Kia has the nail on the head when it comes to trucks, the brand’s combination of quirky design and great value could make it a winner.