Kia revealed its first-ever pickup, the Tasman, poised to challenge stalwarts like the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. Initially, the truck will be available only in Australia, South Africa and the Middle East, with no immediate plans for European or American markets.
The Tasman will be offered in single or double-cab configurations, built on a new ladder frame chassis developed by Kia. It features the typical suspension setup for this category, combining double wishbones and coil springs up front with a live axle and leaf springs at the rear. Compared to the Toyota Hilux, the Tasman is significantly larger: it’s 3.5 inches longer (212.9 inches), 3 inches wider (76 inches), and boasts a wheelbase that's 7.3 inches longer (128.7 inches). The bed is slightly shorter by 0.4 inches (59.4 inches) but 1.2 inches wider (61.8 inches), offering dedicated interior lighting and a 220V power outlet. It boasts a payload capacity of approximately 330 lbs. higher (2,645 lbs.) and a similar towing capacity of 7,716 lbs.
Under the hood, the Tasman offers a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 281 horsepower and a 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine with 210 horsepower. Both engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and a transfer case, allowing rear-wheel drive for fuel efficiency on dry roads, four-wheel drive with front power transfer for wet conditions, and full-time four-wheel drive for off-road adventures with a low range for tougher terrain. It includes a selector with four off-road modes (sand, mud, snow, and rocks) that optimize the vehicle’s systems for the selected terrain and a rear differential lock. A dedicated off-road version (X-Pro) will also be available, equipped with aggressive off-road tires (BFG AT) on smaller wheels (17 inches compared to 18 inches) and an increased ground clearance of 1.1 inches (9.9 inches).
Additional design features include familiar Kia motifs like the grille and front lighting units, while the profile showcases pronounced wheel arches with black protective cladding and a pair of roof rails. The rear bumper includes special recesses to ease access to the bed.
In keeping with Kia’s current models, the Tasman extensively uses recycled and eco-friendly materials. The driver’s area features two 12.3-inch screens serving as a digital dashboard and a touchscreen, with an additional 5-inch screen for climate control. The armrest between the front seats can be converted into a work surface for a laptop, and there is a large storage compartment under the rear bench for equipment.
According to Kia, advanced safety systems, including autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, and active blind spot monitoring (preventing entry into occupied lanes), have been specially calibrated for towing.
Our take: Kia enters the pickup arena as a fresh contender against well-established brands with long-standing reputations. Unlike new entrants from China, like the BYD Shark or Maxus E-Tron 9, Kia has opted for a conservative approach, foregoing the integration of electric or hybrid systems from its passenger cars to minimize risk—a strategy that might make it harder to stand out. Succeeding in this market will be challenging, as pickup truck customers exhibit significantly higher brand loyalty than those in other automotive segments. It's not going to be easy.
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