Kia has taken the wraps off its first pickup truck, the Kia Tasman, positioning it as a trailblazer in the brand’s evolving lineup. Marking a new era for Kia, the Tasman combines refined design with next-gen technology, superior off-road performance, and robust practicality, allowing drivers to “Dive into a New Dimension.” With the Tasman, Kia promises to redefine what pickup trucks can be, bringing innovation, comfort, and rugged reliability to meet diverse needs, from adventurous lifestyles to practical business requirements.
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Progressive Design for a Modern Lifestyle
Drawing on Kia’s heritage in SUVs, particularly the rugged Mohave, the Tasman has been designed to thrive across challenging terrains. Kia CEO Ho Sung Song highlights that the Tasman “follows its own path” in delivering a balance of pickup essentials with groundbreaking features. The truck, blending utility and aesthetics, reflects the company’s global vision to inspire exploration and support active, work-focused lives.
Exterior Design: Distinctive, Functional, and Confident
The Kia Tasman’s exterior design defies traditional styling, shunning oversized elements and embracing a clean, functional aesthetic that conveys power. “The Tasman is designed as a dependable companion,” said Karim Habib, Kia’s Head of Global Design. Its bold lines, upright windshield, and integrated functionality prioritize practicality without sacrificing style.
Key elements include:
- Radiator Grille and Hood Trim: Amplifying the truck’s width and projecting strength, these features frame Kia’s recognizable Tiger Face, with vertically oriented lighting for visibility and style.
- Graphic Fender Design: Serving a dual purpose, the fenders incorporate headlights and storage space, adding to the Tasman’s practical versatility.
- Tailgate: Featuring a stamped logo, a well-integrated handle, and a high-mounted stop lamp, the tailgate underscores the Tasman’s utilitarian character.
The Tasman is offered in nine colors, from classics like Clear White to bold tones like Denim Blue and Tan Beige, allowing customers to choose a look that resonates with their personality.
Interior Design: Luxury Meets Utility
The Tasman’s interior takes inspiration from Kia’s premium designs, introducing simplicity and innovation in a spacious, balanced cabin. Prioritizing practicality, the cabin uses high-quality materials and thoughtful proportions to create a refined yet durable environment. Highlights include:
- 12.3-inch Panoramic Widescreen: This cutting-edge display offers intuitive access to controls and infotainment, bolstered by an optional Harman Kardon sound system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Sophisticated Seating: Class-leading space in headroom, shoulder room, and second-row legroom. Reclining rear seats (22-30 degrees) ensure optimal comfort, with ample storage, including 33 liters in hidden bins beneath the rear seats.
- Eco-Friendly Materials: Kia’s commitment to sustainability is evident in the use of recycled PET fabrics, bio-plastics, and eco-friendly paints.
Interior color options, such as Onyx Black/Medium Gray and Deep Green/Terracotta Brown, reflect Kia’s attention to versatile style across all trims.
Trim Options and Configurability
The Kia Tasman will be available in a range of trims, from the base Double Cab to the more rugged X-Line and X-Pro models. The X-Pro, optimized for off-road enthusiasts, boasts a ground clearance of 252mm and features 17-inch gloss-black wheels equipped with all-terrain tires. For urban-focused users, the X-Line’s 18-inch alloy wheels provide style and capability.
Kia also offers a single cab variant, aimed at maximizing bed space with an adapted single-row layout. Additionally, the Tasman supports a high level of customization with four bed configurations:
- Single Decker: Equipped with butterfly doors, a canopy, and roof racks, ideal for rooftop tents.
- Double Decker: Featuring a sliding tonneau cover and adaptable cargo space.
- Sports Bar: Provides mounting options for outdoor equipment.
- Ladder Rack: Ideal for industrial or trade uses with a practical rack.
These configurations, along with 13 accessory products, offer consumers flexible solutions tailored to diverse activities, from business needs to camping.
Performance and Drivetrain
Built on a body-on-frame platform, the Tasman offers impressive power and versatility across markets:
- Korean Market: The Tasman is powered by a 281PS 2.5-liter petrol engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 421Nm of torque and a 0-100 km/h time of 8.5 seconds.
- Australian Market: Here, a 210PS 2.2-liter diesel engine provides 441Nm of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 10.4 seconds.
- Middle Eastern and African Markets: Customers can select between the 2.5-liter petrol or 2.2-liter diesel engines, with automatic or manual transmissions available depending on the region.
The Tasman’s suspension system integrates Kia’s frequency-sensitive damping control (SDC) and hydraulic rebound stops, ensuring ride comfort and control even on the roughest terrains.
Off-Road Capability and Safety Features
Kia’s engineers have carefully calibrated the Tasman to tackle various environments, from desert sands to snowy landscapes. The Tasman’s 800mm water-fording ability is supported by a high-mounted air intake and waterproof connectors, ensuring durability in tough conditions.
The Tasman’s all-wheel-drive (AWD) system offers tailored modes to navigate different terrains:
- X-Pro Variant: Adds a Rock mode specifically for mountain terrain.
- Middle Eastern and African Markets: All AWD models include Desert, Mud, Snow, and Rock modes.
- Australia and General Markets: Features Sand, Mud, Snow, and Rock modes.
The X-Pro trim introduces Kia’s X-Trek mode, which maintains low-speed control off-road without manual braking or acceleration. With an electronically locking rear differential, the Tasman gains stability across challenging landscapes. Additionally, Kia’s Ground View Monitor (GVM) gives drivers a clear view of the terrain beneath, further enhancing maneuverability.
Advanced Technology and Driver Assistance
In line with Kia’s premium innovations, the Tasman integrates advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2). The Tasman also offers trailer-profile optimization, which adapts ADAS functions to accommodate different trailers, ensuring smooth, safe towing experiences.
The cabin is designed with additional sound-deadening materials, minimizing cabin noise during extended highway trips. Enhanced features like extra wind-sealing strips and noise extraction technology provide a quieter, more comfortable interior, making long drives more enjoyable.
Practical Utility for Work and Play
Kia has ensured the Tasman is equipped to support work-focused users, such as tradespeople and farmers. Practical design elements include corner steps for easy access to the bed, a 240V power outlet for tools or laptops, and an optional sliding cargo floor for convenient loading and unloading.
With best-in-class cargo volume at 1,173 liters, the Tasman also features a highly strengthened bed that can carry a maximum payload of 1,195kg. Its 3,500kg towing capacity makes it suitable for transporting heavy equipment or recreational vehicles.
Global Debut and Launch Plans
Following extensive testing across various terrains, Kia officially unveiled the Tasman at the Jeddah Motor Show in the Middle East, a strategic move to capture interest in a region where pickup trucks are in high demand. The initial rollout will begin in Korea in early 2025, followed by launches in Australia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Kia’s Ambitious Foray into the Pickup Market
With the Tasman, Kia delivers a compelling pickup option that transcends the traditional market offerings. Combining luxury, ruggedness, and intelligent design, Kia’s first pickup is poised to appeal to those seeking a versatile, high-performance vehicle for both work and leisure. Through its debut, the Tasman not only solidifies Kia’s dedication to innovation but also exemplifies the brand’s commitment to expanding its lineup in meaningful, market-responsive ways.
Source: Kia
