Kia’s Tasman is expected to be fully revealed in just two weeks. Recently, there have been several sightings of pre-production models, so we’re going to have a deep-dive into what we already know, what we expect, and what we’re hoping for.
Launch
Kia’s much-anticipated Tasman is all set to make its grand debut at the Jeddah International Motor Show, on 29 October in Saudi Arabia (6:00pm AEDT / Sydney).
This exciting announcement follows the release of Episode 5 of the docuseries “The Kia Tasman R&D Test Story,” which showcased the ute’s performance trials in the challenging desert terrain of Al Qudra, United Arab Emirates.
Leaked Promotional Photos
Official images have been leaked from a now-removed section of the Kia website.
Pre-Production Pictures
Colleagues at SHORTS CAR have spotted a pre-production Tasman. The photos give a sense of the mid-size utility’s dimensions, with its >5.4 metre length filling the parking space. They also confirm a number of functionality and design features, as well as some interesting changes.
Our friends at Healer TV have also spotted the pre-production Tasman, some changes to the last sighting. This includes clearly visible radar panels at the base of the grille, and more pronounced roof rails. The previous roof rails did look a lot sleeker, but these new roof rails should not only be easier to attach crossbars to, but may also be useful grab-handles.
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Meanwhile, a KakaoTalk Media Auto fan, Mr. Jeong Yong-ah, shared several photos that provide a close look at the vehicle’s exterior design. The first picture shows a roll cover for the tub, which appears to be supplied by respected Danish company, Mountain Top. Fitting almost every model of utilities in North America and many in Southeast Asia, it’s unsurprising but reaffirming that Kia has opted to work with the same high-quality manufacturer that also supplied the roll cover for Hyundai’s Santa Cruz.
On the tailgate, “KIA” is boldly embossed, and there’s a matte black plastic handle. The top is quite broad, almost resembling a small ‘ducktail’ spoiler. It houses a reversing camera at an angle that should provide a top-down view of the towbar when hitching up a trailer.
The taillights are framed in matte black plastic. Inside is Kia’s signature star map design. Depending on the region, some models may have traditional bulbs, while others will come with LEDs.
Above the wheels, there’s yet more matte black plastic. There was speculation that this was camouflage, despite leaked documents to Kia’s sales team mention them as part of the design. We can now see that these plastic wheel arches are accounted for in the metal tub’s moulding.
In fact, these wheel arches appear to be functional, with a large opening on the rear-left for the fuel cap. There’s also a black plastic cover above the rear wheel on the opposite side, which seems to suggest there’s a storage compartment for tools.
The front and rear bumpers are also separated from the body, giving a tough look, with bright-red recovery hooks beneath. In some photos, the front bumper appears to be directly attached to the chassis, like an after-market bullbar. In others, the front bumper appears to blend directly into the front wheel arches. Either would be a bold choice, but we’ll need to wait and see – the front of this vehicle is the only part that’s been well hidden.
The tub is separate from the cabin and is larger than the passenger area, widening as it moves backward, creating a noticeable divide between the passenger cabin and the bed.
Kia Australia’s general manager for product planning, Roland Rivero, said “The tray is going to be quite big – probably among the best in the category. And it will have the ability to fit a Euro pallet.”
Kia’s clearly paid meticulous attention to their competitors’ smaller innovations. In addition to the RAM-esque wheel arch storage, the Tasman will also adopt the Ford Ranger’s popular tub steps.
Colours
Until now, the Tasman has only been spotted in Black, Pearl White, Wolf Grey, and its various camouflage covers. It’s expected that the Tasman will also come in the standard Runway Red, Pacific Blue, and Aruba Green, like the Sorento. It has been confirmed that Interstellar Grey and Tan Beige are also options.
What wasn’t expected is the light blue colour spotted by Healer TV. My mind immediately jumps to Hyundai N’s Performance Blue. The closest colour I could find on a Kia vehicle was the Surf Blue on the relatively rare and recent Soul GT-Line.
This leads me to ask: “Is this a GT-Line Tasman?”
Drivetrain
Transmission
Kia has confirmed that there will be both an automatic 8-speed and manual transmission option.
There are conflicting reports of whether the auto will be a torque converter or dual clutch (DCT), the former being more reliable, while the latter delivers improved performance. It may be that the base model comes fitted with a torque converter, while a GT-Line model comes with a DCT, as is the case in vehicles such as the Sorento.
4-Cylinder Motors
Kia have confirmed a “familiar” engine will power the launch model, which most likely means the 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (150kW/500Nm) from the Sorento and Carnival. A 2.5-litre turbo-petrol (210kW/422Nm) is also on the way.
While these outputs are competitive with the Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT-50 (140kW/450Nm), Mitsubishi Triton (140kW/470Nm), and Nissan Navara (140kW/450Nm), it’s expected that Kia may aim to boost performance to better rival the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux. The Ranger’s 2.0-litre twin-turbo produces 154kW and 500Nm, while the HiLux’s 2.8-litre turbo-diesel offers 150kW and 500Nm. Achieving outputs around 150kW/500Nm could make the Tasman a strong contender if it meets upcoming emissions standards.
6-Cylinder Motor
Kia Australia has openly expressed their desire for a GT model. KindelMedia repoted that Kia was emissions testing a Kia Tasman in California, fitted with the 3.3-litre V6 Twin Turbo engine from the Kia Stinger.
Within the 2023 Stinger, the 3.3L engine creates 274 kW @ 6,000 rpm and 510 Nm @ 1,300–4,500 rpm. For comparison, the Ranger Raptor’s 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo EcoBoost engine produces up to 292kW @ 5650rpm and 583Nm @ 3500rpm.
Hybrid Motors
“Every product moving forward for the Kia family is always thinking of ways to be electrified in some way, shape, or form.”
While unconfirmed, electrification in the form of a HEV, PHEV, or EREV is a no-brainer. Kia needs to succeed under Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) laws, so we expect to see hybrid electrification eventually, especially to compete with the Ford Ranger PHEV and BYD Shark EREV. Kia also had the advantage of foresight when designing the Tasman, while seasoned competitors will have to find ways to retrofit their older vehicles with large batteries.
Battery EV Model
In addition to the expected HEV Tasman, Kia has already confirmed multiple baterry electric (BEV) pick-ups, though none of them are the Tasman! We know that one will be a full-size pickup, similar to the Ford F-150 Lightning, that will be manufactured for the North American market.
But we have already seen a second BEV pickup, thanks to @Studiver. This mid-size pickup, with similar dimensions to the Tasman, has been spotted in testing in California, with a unibody chassis (as opposed to the Tasman’s ladder frame), a much sleeker, less rugged overall appearance, and the Kia EV9’s headlights.
It is expected to be powered by single (150kW / 350Nm) or dual (283kW / 600Nm) electric motors.
Towing & Payloard
Kia has stated that 3.5 tonne towing and 1 tonne payload are non-negotiable targets, which is in line with market expectations. In reality, most manufacturers want to keep their payload just under 1t. Reaching 1t payload means vehicles aren’t eligible for novated leases, which will prevent a lot of fleet buyers, which are Kia’s target market.
Lucky for us, several Tasman models have been seen towing both on and off road with Australian registration. This means it’s easy for us to look-up the regos and their specifications:
| Payload (est.) | Tare weight | Kerb weight (est.) | Gross vehicle mass (GVM) |
| 1012kg | 2178kg | 2238kg | 3250kg |
| 974kg | 2216kg | 2276kg | 3250kg |
| 919kg | 2271kg | 2331kg | 3250kg |
Interior
The Kia Tasman’s interior has already been leaked, showing heated, leather, bucket seats with a mesh headrest. The back of the seats appear to have hard-plastic kick-guards with room for storage of items such as laptops, tablets, books, et cetera. The doors are very utilitarian, with rugged door handles, A-pillar grab handles in the front, and shoulder bumps in the rear. and lots of black.
The centre-console is packed with a t-bar gear shifter, 4WD switch including high and low range, electronic brake, and a push-start button. Oh, and cup holders! Just about everything, from the headliner, seats, carpets, and pillars, is black.
There are two, large 12.3-inch screens (one for a digital gauges, one for the infotainment system) sitting upon a honeycomb dashboard which wraps around in a cockpit style.
Safety
Kia Australia’s stated that they will achieve a full 5-Star ANCAP rating, which means a full suite of safety technology. Promotional videos have already displayed the Tasman’s working lane-keep assist, while a radar on the front means autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and adaptive cruise control will be included.
Accessories & Modifications
While established competitors like the Hilux & Ranger have a plethora of after-market options, Kia is expected to jump-start the accessories and modifications with OEM tow kits, bullbars, side steps, and a canopy already being spotted.
“… we’ve already done some accessory fitments in Korea with canopies and alloy trays, steel trays. We had to send our suppliers over there to do some fitments and that is an ongoing thing. South Africa has got similar needs to us, and they’re big on bull bars as well. The department of primary industry has told us that ‘we’ve got a policy – it has to have a bull bar’ for all their reps on the road. Sydney Water is the same – any time you’re in the bush in rural Australia, you must have a bull bar.” said Mr. Rivero.
Offroading
Warranty
Kia’s warranty varies from market to market but is generally one of the most comprehensive warranties wherever you go.
Kia’s Australian Competitors
- KGM SsangYong Musso: 7 years, unlimited kilometres
- Great Wall Motors (GWM) Cannon: 7 years, unlimited kilometres
- Isuzu D-MAX: 6 years, 150,000 kilometres
- BYD Shark: 6 years, 150,000 kilometres
- Mitsubishi Triton: 5 years, 130,000 kilometres, with bonus 10-year, 200,000km warranty on the powertrain, provided the vehicle is serviced by Mitsubishi.
- Ford Ranger: 5 years, unlimited kilometres
- Toyota HiLux: 5 years, unlimited kilometres
Kia’s Global Warranties
- Australia: 7 years unlimited kilometers.
- Indonesia: 5-year unlimited kilometer warranty for most vehicles.
- Middle East: 5-year/150,000-kilometer warranty for most vehicles.
- South Africa: 5-year unlimited mileage warranty for most vehicles, with a 3-year/100,000-kilometer paint warranty.
- South Korea: 10-year/100,000-mile warranty for the powertrain and a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
- United States: 10-year/100,000-mile warranty for the powertrain and a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Price
The Kia Tasman’s success will largely hinge on its pricing strategy, making it a critical factor in this new ute’s market entry. Its main competitors—Ford Ranger, Volkswagen Amarok, and Toyota HiLux—dominate the higher end of the market, with top models surpassing $70,000. Given it lacks the long-standing reputation in the ute segment that brands like Toyota and Ford enjoy, Kia would be mistaken to think it can compete in this market at launch.
A more competitive approach could see the Tasman’s top model priced around $60,000, placing it alongside mid-range rivals such as the Isuzu D-Max ($32,200–$67,500), Mitsubishi Triton ($43,690–$63,840), and Nissan Navara ($33,050–$70,765).
However, Kia is unlikely to undercut prices to compete with budget brands like KGM SsangYong, GWM, and LDV. One distinct advantage Kia brings to the table is its seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty—a feature that could attract buyers seeking reliability and long-term peace of mind.
Sales
Kia says the Tasman will be sold in a “global market” consisting of Australasia, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It won’t be sold in Western Europe, where there are strict emission laws and utilities aren’t popular, but it will be sold elsewhere in the continent.
Australia
Australia is the main market for the Tasman, outside of the Korean Domestic Market. Kia hopes Australia will make up 1/3rd of projected global annual sales of 60, 000 units. This would mean Kia expects to be playing in the same ballpark as the D-MAX, Triton, and BT-50.
2023 Auslian Utility Sales:
- Ford Ranger: 63,356 units
- Toyota HiLux: 61,111 units
- Isuzu D-MAX: 29,627 units
- Mitsubishi Triton: 26,449 units
- Mazda BT-50: 20,000 units (approximate)
- Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series: 15,000 units (approximate)
- LDV T60: 10,000 units (approximate)
- Great Wall Cannon: 8,000 units (approximate)
- Nissan Navara: 7,500 units (approximate)
- Volkswagen Amarok: 6,000 units (approximate)
North America
The Tasman isn’t expected to be sold in Canada, Mexico, or the United States – at least not initially. The Tasman will be manufactured in Korea, which means it will be subject to the Chicken Tax in the States. Hyundai & Kia have already announced separate full-size pickups to be developed for the North American market.
Still, there are signs that the mid-size Tasman may make it to North America eventually. The Tasman has been thoroughly tested in California, there is growing demand for affordable mid-size pickups over expensive yank-tanks, and Kia may need to find a Mohave replacement (more on that below…).
Manufacturing
The Kia Tasman will be manufactured in Korea at the Hwaseong Plant, where operations halted from late July to mid-August to prepare for the Tasman’s production.
At Hwaseong, the cab of the Tasman will be produced at Plant 1, while the tub will be produced separately and assembled later. This approach is driven by the unique characteristics of Korean car factories, which predominantly use conveyor belt systems. These systems would be impractical for large, modular vehicles like the Tasman. Notably, Hyundai-Kia primarily manufacture unibodies, which adds to the complexity and necessitates separate production lines for different components.
Korea’s reputation for build quality has made significant strides over the past decade, often outpacing many competitors in terms of reliability and performance. This advancement is particularly noteworthy considering that most utes sold in the Asia-Pacific region are manufactured in Thailand or China. Models like the Triton, D-MAX, BT-50, Ranger, and HiLux hail from Thailand, while the GWM Cannon, BYD Shark, and LDV T60 are produced in China. In contrast, the Tasman stands out as one of only three utes being produced in Korea or Japan for the Australian market, alongside the Musso and LandCruiser.
Easter Eggs
One Easter Egg has already been found in the form of a Kangaroo moulded into the side mirrors, a nod to the Tasman’s Australia design roots. No ute has had as much Australian input except the Tasman’s biggest rival, the Ford Ranger (though Ford may give up that title).
Tasman SUV
Kia’s Mohave is currently their sole ladder-frame SUV, and its aging design and impending production end could pave the way for a new model based on the Tasman’s underpinnings. This has lead to rumours of a Kia rival to the Toyota LandCruiser Prado and Ford Everest. Roland Rivero, General Manager of Product Planning at Kia Australia, acknowledged the rumours.
“What we need for it to happen is other markets, major markets that source Tasman, to also want to have a ladder frame SUV,” Mr. Rivero said.
“We’re hoping that South Africa or the Middle East would be keen on it, but at the end of the day we need all of the stars to align for something like to happen.”
The discontinuation of the Mohave/Borrego may free up production capacity, especially state-side, where a shared drivetrain would also increase the likelihood of the Tasman being sold in North America. Any Tasman-based SUV sold in the US would need a solid powerplant, and we’ve already seen the Tasman undergo emissions testing with a V6 engine in the United States
Kia’s covert testing of a modified Mohave SUV as a serious off-roader in late 2023 raises even more questions, suggesting that plans for a new ladder-frame model could already be underway…
