Five years after the news first broke, Kia has finally entered the pick-up market with the unveiling of its first-ever production truck, the Tasman, at the Jeddah Motor Show in Saudi Arabia.
As demand for pick-ups grows globally, the Tasman has been designed to be suitable for both work and play, producing a clean and confident look set apart from the usual heavy, oversized vehicles typical in the pickup market. At the front is Kia’s “Tiger Face” grille, with distinctive vertical headlights creating a style-led frame. With some hints of the EV9 SUV evident, the design uses simple lines to emphasise the vehicle’s width and highlight its strength and utility.
Beyond the standard Tasman, the Tasman X-Pro trim offers those wanting to get off-road ground clearance of 252mm — an increase of 28mm over the standard model — and 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres.
The Tasman will be available in single and double-cab versions, and a single-cab model with an extended load bed will also be available.
Inside, you’ll find a panoramic digital display at the front of the cab, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel for the driver, a 5.0-inch information screen in the centre with a second 12.3-inch infotainment screen next to it, which allows both the driver and the passenger access to the controls. Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto will be included as standard, and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system will be available as an option.
There is plenty of convenient and practical storage, including a hidden compartment under the rear seats and a foldable console table for those needing a mobile workspace or a usable surface for a family road trip.
Kia boasts that the Tasman has class-leading head, shoulder and rear leg room, allowing it to accommodate up to five passengers comfortably. The rear seats recline between 22 and 30 degrees, making the space versatile for either passengers or cargo.
To meet sustainability targets, the cab includes eco-friendly materials such as bio-plastics, recycled PET fabrics, bio-based synthetic leather, and BTX-free paint.
Both petrol and diesel engines will be available in the Tasman, depending on where it’s sold — Korea will get the 2.5-litre petrol unit, developing 281hp and 421Nm of torque, while Australia will be happy with the 2.2-litre diesel engine. With 210hp, it’s down on power, but a healthy torque figure of 441nm will keep ute buyers happy in the outback. Both engines are available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed automatic transmission.
More than 1,750 tests over 18,000 gruelling evaluations have been carried out across the world to ensure the Tasman’s capabilities, including the snowy tundra of Sweden, deserts in the Australian outback and Al Qudra in UAE, and the mountain regions of the US and Korea.
The X-Line and X-Pro trims are fitted with all-wheel drive. Drivers can switch between different terrain modes based on conditions, including Rock, Sand, Mud, and Snow. Middle East and Africa-bound vehicles will also get a Desert mode, although there’s no explanation of how this differs from the Sand mode.
The X-Pro model will include an additional Rock mode specifically designed for mountainous regions. An Electronic Locking Differential (e-LD) in the rear ensures improved control and traction in challenging off-road conditions. A Ground View Monitor has also been added, giving drivers a view of the ground below the vehicle through the infotainment screen, providing a clear picture of nearby obstacles on narrow trails.
The Tasman can tackle water well, too; the air intake is positioned to allow the Tasman to wade through water up to 800mm deep at speeds of 5mph.
Most importantly, for many, the load box on the back of the Tasman ensures that it performs well against rivals. It is longer than the Isuzu D-Max, with a length of 1,512mm, but doesn’t stretch to the length of the Volkswagen Amarok, Toyota Hilux or Ford Ranger. Kia claims that the Tasman has a cargo volume of 1,173 litres, which would give it the best-in-class title.
Every model has payload limits over a tonne, reaching as high as 1,195kg, with towing limits set at 3,500kg.
The Tasman’s load bed includes practical touches like corner steps and a 240-volt power outlet for charging tools or electronics. A sliding cargo floor and adjustable load dividers will also be available as options.
Accessories will be available from Kia; These include the Single Decker, featuring a canopy with butterfly doors and a rooftop rack, and the Double Decker, equipped with a sliding tonneau cover. A sports bar and ladder rack will also be available.
The latest driver assistance technology from Kia will be fitted to the Tasman. Features like blind-spot warnings, lane-keeping assist, and Highway Driving Assist 2 all offer added safety and ease for the driver. The Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) also has a feature to assist with towing by adapting driving characteristics to maintain stability when driving with a trailer.
Kia Tasman Availability
The Tasman will launch in Korea in 2025, with a global rollout taking it to Australia, Africa, and the Middle East, where Saudi Arabia is expected to be a strong market.
Despite growing demand for pick-ups in Europe and the UK — the UK market accounts for about 50,000 sales a year, with EU sales adding another 100,000 — Kia currently has no plans to bring the Tasman to our shores. Will that change if UK punters start clamouring for it? Let's hope so.
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