Get ready for Kia’s unexpected turn into the pickup world with the Tasman—a rig that’s not just for hauling cargo but redefining the art of practical elegance. Billed as a workhorse with a soul, the Tasman brings a minimalist yet bold design, ditching the usual oversized grille bravado for a sleeker look that emphasizes functionality without any unnecessary frills.
The Kia Tasman has corner steps and an illuminated load bed, so you’re not fumbling for tools in the dark, plus a best-in-class 1,173-liter cargo capacity that’s all about “work hard, play harder.”
Inside, Kia blends utilitarian simplicity with a hint of sophistication. There’s a panoramic widescreen setup and an optional Harmon Kardon sound system, making the Tasman ready for road trips or mobile office setups, complete with dual wireless charging pads. Meanwhile, the seats are tricked out in recycled and bio-friendly materials, because this pickup truck is also out to save the planet.
For those planning off-road adventures, the X-Pro variant with 252mm ground clearance and all-wheel-drive is your new best friend, taking you through rock, sand, and mud like it was born there. Plus, it boasts a 3,500kg towing capacity, so it’ll haul just about anything.
Under the hood, you can pick between a 2.5-liter gasoline engine (G4KIII FR 2.5 Turbocharged GDI) pushing 281 PS and 421 Nm in Korea or a 2.2-liter diesel (D4HIII FR 2.2) for 210 PS and 441 Nm in Australia. Both are ready to handle work and fun equally well.
The gasoline variant is paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, enabling it to wipe 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 8.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 185 km/h (115 mph). The diesel motor, on the other hand, is available with a choice of 6-speed stick shift or the same 8AT as the gasoline engine model. The diesel offers a pretty decent 0-100 sprint at 10.4 seconds and it also has a top speed of 185 km/h or about 115 mph.
Look out for the Tasman hitting the Korean market first in early 2025, with plans for a global rollout later. Meanwhile, you can learn more about Kia’s first-ever pickup truck HERE.
Images: KIA Motors.
