Kia Corporation has unveiled full details of the Kia Tasman, the brand’s first pickup truck. Marking the latest addition to Kia’s extensive lineup, which includes sedan, SUV, commercial, and PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) zero-emission models, the Kia Tasman is set for global launch in 2025.

Will the Tasman be available in the US? Time may tell, but Kia's announcement only states the vehicle's initial availability overseas. 

The Kia Tasman will initially launch in the Korean domestic market during the first half of 2025 before being introduced in Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. According to Kia, Saudi Arabia is expected to be a particularly strong market.

Leveraging more than five decades of expertise developing special-purpose vehicles, including off-roaders, Kia said the Tasman is a “transformative pickup truck that effortlessly meets the needs of both work and leisure activities.”

Leveraging SUV Background in a Pickup

Injecting the legacy of Kia’s SUV models with exceptional off-road capability, including the Mohave (marketed in North America as the Kia Borrego when it was in production), Kia said the Tasman has been comprehensively engineered to meet customers' diverse needs across all forms of terrain.

“Kia’s first-ever pickup truck was created from the ground up to transform the market and respond to the growing preference for lifestyle-oriented trucks with advanced features,” said Ho Sung Song, president and CEO at Kia.

Exterior Designed for Adventurers

Karim Habib, executive vice president and head of Kia global, said the Tasman was designed for explorers, adventurers, and people who like to get things done.

“Solid and capable, its design begins with an honest form, using simple and rugged elements to capture a spirit of practicality. The Kia Tasman is a pickup truck that effortlessly blends lifestyle and utility, and represents our commitment to always bring bold and innovative ideas to our customers,” Habib added.

The Kia Tasman will be available in nine colors.

Interior Design – Rugged Space of a Pickup

The interior design and what Kia called a rugged space are in keeping with the character of a pickup truck. Kia said the interior design leverages concise, symmetrical proportions to create a stable, balanced appearance.

Large air vents featuring a honeycomb pattern – a key theme of the interior – emphasize the functionality of the ventilation. A multi-function steering wheel and the modern, minimalist lower center dashboard and tunnel sections with carefully positioned buttons provide intuitive control of the Kia Tasman’s advanced technology. 

State-of-the-art 12.3-inch + 5-inch + 12.3-inch panoramic widescreen technology gives both the pickup truck driver and passenger access to vehicle controls and advanced infotainment options. An optional eight-speaker Harmon Kardon premium audio system allows users to use the standard-fit Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

Kia Tasman Trims and Specifications

The Kia Tasman pickup is offered as a double-cab base model and in X-Line and X-Pro trim. The X-Pro provides off-road performance thanks to its 1.1-inch higher ground clearance, which totals 9.9 inches. It has 17-inch gloss-black wheels and all-terrain tires, while the X-Line features larger 18-inch alloy wheels paired with highway and terrain tires.

Additionally, Kia provides customizable chassis cab variants to meet specific business needs, along with single cab options that optimize bed space by reconfiguring the passenger compartment into a single-row layout.

Bed Accessory Configuration Options

The Kia Tasman pickup truck will be offered with four bed accessory configurations, which are: 

• Single decker

• Double decker

• Sports bar

• Ladder rack

The first three will be available immediately after launch. In addition, 13 accessory products for the new pickup truck will be offered, including two types of side steps and beadlock-style wheels.

Drivetrain Options Available

The Tasman will be offered in Korea with a 281PS 2.5-liter gas engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. With 421Nm of torque, the Kia Tasman can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 115 mph.

In the Australian market, the pickup will feature a 210PS 2.2-liter diesel engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Producing 441Nm of torque, the engine can propel the Kia Tasman from 0-0 to 62 mph in 10.4 seconds, and top speed remains unchanged.

In other regions, such as the Middle East and Africa, customers can choose between a 2.5-liter gas engine equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a 2.2-liter diesel engine with a choice of an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission (depending on the market).

The X-Line and the X-Pro are equipped with standard all-wheel drive, an option available on the base model. The AWD system switches automatically to the configuration required to provide optimum traction on different road surfaces and offers three driving modes—ECO, Smart, and Sport—with various terrain modes available within these settings depending on the relevant market.

The X-Pro model provides an additional Rock mode, specifically designed to enhance performance on challenging mountainous terrains. In the Middle East and Africa, Desert, Mud, Snow, and Rock modes are fitted to all-wheel-drive variants of the Kia Tasman pickup. In Australia and all other general markets, all-wheel-drive variants are equipped with Sand, Mud, Snow, and Rock modes.

Further enhancements to the X-Pro variant include an automatically engaging rear Electronic Locking Differential (e-LD) and X-Trek mode. X-Trek mode enables the vehicle to maintain a low speed off-road without the need for manual acceleration or braking, ensuring smooth navigation through rough terrain. The e-LD, located in the rear differential, provides advanced control over locking and unlocking, enhancing the vehicle's adaptability and control in off-road scenarios.

Bed Dimensions, Cargo Space & Towing

The Kia Tasman’s load bed is 59 inches long, 62 inches wide, and 21 inches deep, which provides best-in-class cargo capability of 41.4 cubic feet. Thanks to a multi-skeleton, highly strengthened bed structure, the Kia Tasman pickup can carry a maximum payload of 2,634 pounds in 2WD mode and a 7,716-pound towing capacity.