Kia’s new Tasman pickup, which is still in the works, was spotted in California. Pictures snapped by KindelMedia show it alongside a Ford Ranger Raptor. People are now wondering if Kia plans to sell it in the US.
Although Kia hasn’t confirmed the official specs, it’s widely believed that the Tasman will be powered by a 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
This engine, known as the ‘Smartstream’ unit, is currently utilized in models like the Hyundai Santa Fe, Palisade, and Kia Sorento. If the Tasman adopts this powertrain, it’s expected to produce around 148kW of power and 440Nm of torque.
The Tasman is set to match rivals like the Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, and Nissan Navara in power. Kia might also consider a stronger engine from the Genesis GV80 SUV, but it could be too pricey.
The Tasman will come in different styles, including single and dual-cab options, with choices for the type of bed. Kia wants to offer something for everyone in the pickup truck market.
The Kia Tasman ute is set to launch in mid-2025 in Australia after years of development. It’s designed to compete with the Ford Ranger, offering similar towing and payload capacity.
Kia plans to make it capable off-road with selectable four-wheel drive. They’re working hard to ensure it’s competitive against popular pickups like the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.
