New Kia Tasman: 5 things to know about the practical and technological pick-up

Kia has revealed the all-new Tasman, marking its first foray into the fiercely competitive mid-size pickup market, where established rivals like the Toyota Hilux And Ford Ranger dominate. The Korean automaker’s new truck promises to be a capable workhorse with a strong emphasis on practicality and off-road chops, blending a controversially styled but customizable exterior with a well-equipped, tech-laden cabin.

Scheduled for a global rollout in 2025, the highly anticipated Tasman will offer both gasoline and diesel engines, but don’t expect it to hit U.S. shores anytime soon, thanks to the prohibitive “chicken tax” . If Kia wants a share of the U.S. market, it will have to reserve assembly space at its Georgia plant to avoid the 25 percent import tariff on pickup trucks. Here are five things you need to know about Kia’s first-ever truck.

#1 Unconventional but highly customizable exterior

New Kia Tasman: 5 things to know about the practical and technological pick-up

The aesthetics of the Tasman are its main talking point, and not necessarily in a good way. Kia has chosen what it calls a “new approach to aesthetics,” intentionally departing from the “familiar formal language that has dominated the pickup genre for decades.”

As Karim Habib, Kia’s head of global design, says, the Tasman’s design “starts with an honest form, using simple, robust elements to capture the spirit of practicality.” But “honest” might mean “controversial,” because this truck is unlike anything else on the road.

More: Kia will offer a solution to the Tasman’s bulky fenders

Boxy proportions and a vertical front end anchor the look, with vertically stacked LED headlights, sturdy bumpers and a unique horn-shaped hood trim. The fenders, which also serve as horizontal strips of unpainted plastic housing the headlights and storage areas, have been divisive, to say the least. Fortunately, Kia will offer optional accessories to make them less jarring.

Out back, the Tasman sports a full-size bed with big taillights, a full-size tailgate and a bumper with integrated steps. THE truck is offered in a standard double cab body measuring 5,410 mm (213 inches) long, with customizable single and double cab chassis options. Ground clearance varies depending on the version, ranging from 224 to 252 mm (8.8 to 9.9 in).

#2 Advanced technology inside

If the exterior of the Tasman is polarizing, the interior should be a relief. Kia has opted for simple, symmetrical lines, resulting in a layout that’s pleasantly easy to digest.

More: Chery’s new KP11 pickup will arrive in 2025 to take on the Hilux and Ranger

The highlight inside is a triple-screen digital cockpit. One panel houses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, while a 5-inch screen manages the climate controls, and another 12.3-inch touchscreen powers the infotainment. Buyers can also opt for an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system for an extra dose of luxury.

Sustainable materials are all the rage, and Kia is following suit with recycled PET fabric and bio-PU synthetic leather upholstery, giving the cabin an eco-friendly edge, although it remains to be seen whether this approach can maintain the level of perceived quality that buyers expect. .

#3 Focus on practicality

Convenient features inside the cabin include a folding table on the center console, a 33-liter (1.2 cubic feet) storage compartment under the rear seats, and a reclining rear bench seat. Kia claims second-row head, shoulder and legroom are best-in-class, thanks to the Tasman’s boxy design.

As for the cargo-hauling capabilities of this workhorse, the payload is between 1,017 and 1,195 kg (2,242 and 2,635 pounds) and its towing capacity is up to 3,500 kg (7,716 pounds). Kia also touts the Tasman’s bed cargo capacity of 1,173 liters (41.4 cubic feet), saying it outperforms most of its competitors. The rear bed is packed with features: it is illuminated, has a built-in power outlet, a mini table and a sliding cargo floor to make loading bulky items easier.

The bed can also serve as a blank canvas for four different configurations – Single Decker, Double Decker, Sports Bar and Ladder Rack – transforming the Tasman according to its owner’s needs. In total, Kia will offer 13 accessoriesintended to improve the practicality and style of the Tasman.

#4 Ladder chassis and non-electrified powertrains

The Kia Tasman will launch with two four-cylinder engine options, one petrol and one diesel. The 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine produces 277 PS (281 hp) and 421 Nm (311 lb-ft) of torque. Meanwhile, the 2.2-liter turbodiesel offers 207 PS (210 hp) and a muscular 441 Nm (325 lb-ft) of torque.

Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, although the diesel can also be had with a six-speed manual. While four-wheel drive is standard on higher trims, base models are available in a more economical 2-wheel drive configuration. The Tasman offers selectable terrain modes (sand, mud, snow and rock), with the rugged X-Pro version adding an electronic locking differential (e-LD) and an X-Trek mode for tougher terrain.

Built on a ladder chassis, the Tasman combines double wishbone front suspension with a live rear axle featuring vertically mounted leaf springs and shock absorbers. Kia has also fitted the suspension with frequency-sensitive dampers and hydraulic rebound stop technology to improve both comfort and control over rough terrain.

Global model #5, but not for the United States

THE Kia Tasman is a global model expected to hit dealerships in 2025. It will first be rolled out in its home market of Korea, followed by Australia, Africa and the Middle East. Kia said Saudi Arabia is expected to be a “particularly strong market”, which explains why the pickup was revealed at the Jeddah International Motor Show.

It’s not yet clear what availability in Europe will be, and a North American launch seems unlikely given the 25% tariffs on imported light trucks. Unless Kia decides to build it in the United States, American consumers will likely be left behind.

Besides the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, which are the most popular offerings in the mid-size pickup segment, the Kia Tasman has to compete with models like the Mitsubishi TritonNissan Navara, VW Amarok, Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, BYD Shark and GWM Cannon Ute.