Having been teased as far back as April, the Kia Tasman has finally been revealed as the brand’s first pick-up truck. Unlike the Hyundai Santa Cruz – an SUV-based model with a monocoque chassis – this is a proper go-anywhere, do-anything one-tonne truck that has the all-conquering Toyota Hilux right in its sights.
That means it has a ladder-frame chassis and a solid rear axle with leaf springs, de rigueur for this segment, plus double wishbones at the front. Further evidence of Kia’s seriousness in selling the Tasman as a work vehicle is the availability of single- and double-cab variants, along with a customisable chassis cab for businesses to attach whatever they want to the frame rails.
The company is also promising a payload of over 1,000 kg (hence one tonne), a towing capacity of 3,500 kg and a tow ball mass rating of 350 kg. All Tasman models have a maximum water wading depth of 800 mm at speeds of up to 7 km/h, thanks to an air intake mounted inside the front fender. Kia has also implemented several water ingress prevention measures, including the use of waterproof connectors for selected interior parts, to increase durability in challenging conditions.
The engine options are a bit more modern. Depending on the market, buyers will be able to choose from turbocharged petrol and diesel mills. The former is a 2.5 litre Theta 3 direct-injected four-cylinder that already sees service in the aforementioned Santa Cruz, producing 281 PS and 421 Nm of torque.
It’s exclusively mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and gets from zero to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 185 km/h. Buyers may balk at the fuel consumption, however, which is rated at just 8.0 km per litre.
Perhaps better suited to such a workhorse is a new version of the ubiquitous 2.2 litre R turbodiesel, now producing 210 PS and 441 Nm of torque. This one can be had with either the slushbox or a six-speed manual, but it’s quite a bit slower to 100 km/h at 10.4 seconds. You’ll be rewarded in spades for your forbearance at the pumps, however, with a fuel consumption figure of 13.2 km per litre.
Further modernity can be observed in the suspension, which utilises frequency-selective dampers more commonly seen in premium vehicles, along with Hydraulic Rebound Stop technology. These are said to minimise vibration and improve body control and comfort “even on the roughest terrain.”
Buyers who want even more off-road capability can opt for either the X-Line or X-Pro variants, both coming with standard four-wheel drive (optional on the base model) that can automatically switch between two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive and low-range 4WD. Three drive modes (Eco, Smart or Sport) and three terrain settings (Sand/Desert, Mud or Snow) are offered, with the X-Pro adding a Rock mode to the latter.
Also unique to the X-Pro model are 17-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tyres (the X-Line receives larger 18s and highway terrain tyres), a 28 mm lift kit (bringing ground clearance up to 252 mm), an electronic locking rear differential and an X-Trek mode. The latter functions as a sort of off-road cruise control, similar to Land Rover’s All Terrain Progress Control.
Kia has gone all out in giving the Tasman a distinctive appearance, which will certainly divide opinion. At the very least, its designers can’t be accused of aping more popular pick-ups, with the most striking feature being the black horizontal fender flares. These integrate the small vertical headlights, fuel filler door and, on the right side of the bed, a small storage compartment.
Those “pontoons” flank a tubular-shaped body emphasised by the massive grille and U-shaped black bonnet trim, forming Kia’s Tiger Face graphic together with the chunky front bumper. The rest of the design is defined by chiselled surfacing, an upright windscreen and glasshouse, an upswept window line kink on the double cab models, tiny C-shaped taillights and bed steps integrated into the rear bumper.
Double-cab models have a bed that measures 1,512 mm long, 1,572 mm wide (1,186 mm between the wheels), and 540 mm deep, resulting in a claimed segment-leading cargo capacity of 1,173 litres. You’ll also find built-in illumination, a sliding cargo floor to ease loading and unloading and a 240- or 220-volt power outlet.
Not enough? Kia is offering four customisation options that add usability, including Single Decker (canopy and roof rack), Double Decker (butterfly bed doors and sliding tonneau cover), Sports Roll Bar and Ladder Rack packages. There are also 13 different accessories for you to choose from, including two side steps and hardcore bead-lock wheels.
Inside, the Tasman treads familiar pick-up terrain, with an oblong dashboard, a wide centre console with a variety of storage spaces (including dual Qi wireless chargers) and lots of chunky toggle switches. A honeycomb mesh over the air-con vents brings to mind the latest Honda models such as the Civic.
The interior tech consists of a twin 12.3-inch displays for the instrumentation and infotainment, split by a five-inch multi-function screen for the climate controls – similar to what you’ll find in the EV9. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, with an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system optional.
Elsewhere, practical touches include a large folding console table, hidden storage bins under the rear seats (with a total capacity of 33 litres) and a recline function for those back pews, allowing passengers to lean back between 22 and 30 degrees. Kia is also boasting best-in-class headroom and shoulder room, along with 940 mm of rear-seat legroom.
As is becoming commonplace in the pick-up segment, the Tasman is chock-full of the latest driver assistance systems, including Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) Level 2 semi-autonomous driving functionality – all optimised with a setting that accounts for a trailer being pulled at the back.
The Kia Tasman will be launched in its home market of South Korea in the first half of 2025, before being gradually rolled out in Australia, Africa and the Middle East – Saudi Arabia, where the truck was revealed, is expected to be a strong market. No mention of Southeast Asia however, which is baffling given that Thailand is one of the biggest pick-up markets in the world. What do you think – would you like to see the Tasman being offered in Malaysia? Sound off in the comments after the jump.
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Renderings were miles ahead
the headlamps won’t last long in that position if this car is used on heavy off road