Kia Tasman redefines the pickup truck

30 October, 2024

New Zealand will get the best global version of the Kia Tasman ute

Kia has today unveiled full details of the Kia Tasman, the brand’s first pickup truck (watch video below). With the Tasman bound for NZ in 2025, featuring some of the world’s most up-to-date technology, and an updated driver assist package that has New Zealand’s Tasman models at the forefront of driving and safety.

New Zealand will get both the full-time four-wheel and two heel drive models at launch, including a black-on-black Kia Tasman X-Line and the Tan Beige colour on the off-road Kia Tasman X-Pro (featuring a range of mechanical and technology upgrades for adventurous off-roading).

  • Kia’s first pickup truck invites customers to ‘dive into a new dimension’ by pushing boundaries of what a pickup can deliver
  • Redefines pickup sector with purposeful exterior and interior design, cutting-edge technology and class-leading space and convenience
  • Tasman will meet customer needs effortlessly in both work and leisure activities, offering customization accessories to tailor the truck to owners’ tastes
  • Corner steps, load bed equipped with illuminated power outlet, sliding cargo floor and best-in-class 1,173-litre cargo capability illustrate Tasman’s highly practical and versatile nature
  • Advanced chassis and suspension technology combines exceptional off-road capability with class-leading on-road refinement
  • Advanced Driver Assistance Systems incorporating trailer profile functionality

Progressive Pickup to Support a Broader Lifestyle 

Injecting the legacy of Kia’s SUV models with exceptional off-road capability, including the robust Mohave, the Kia 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,”

Ho Sung Song, President and CEO at Kia.

Exterior Design – A Fresh Approach to Aesthetics 

The Kia design team deliberately shunned the familiar form language that has dominated the pickup genre for decades. This fresh approach to aesthetics strips away the unnecessary to begin with a basic, honest form that highlights the vehicle’s sense of solid power through simple yet functional elements, without relying on the oversized styling that has come to dominate the pickup segment.

“Created especially for explorers, adventurers and people who like to get things done, the Kia Tasman is designed to serve as a dependable companion in every situation”.

Karim Habib, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design.

“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.”“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.”

The Kia Tasman projects power, confidence and capability in equal measure. An expansive radiator grille and bumper design emphasise the pickup’s width, while the hood trim and grille frame the familiar Kia Tiger Face, featuring vertically oriented signature lighting incorporated into the headlamps.

The upright windshield and rear glass contribute to the Kia Tasman’s bold silhouette, reinforced by the 45-degree angles of the vehicle’s striking graphic elements. The unique fender design combines practical functions, such as headlights and storage units, demonstrating functionality and clear, confident design

At the rear, the Kia Tasman visually reinforces its highly practical nature. The tailgate showcases a bold, stamped logo, while the tailgate handle and high-mounted stop-lamp are seamlessly integrated for enhanced functionality and a utilitarian character.

Kia Tasman World Premiere Video

Drivetrain – Superior Performance and Comfort

Based upon a fully optimised body-on-frame platform, the Kia Tasman will be offered in Korea with a 281PS 2.5-liter petrol engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. With 421Nm of torque, the Kia Tasman can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds and on to a maximum speed of 185km/h.

In the Australian market (NZ TBC), 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 0-100km/h in 10.4 seconds, while top speed remains unchanged.

Utilising an optimised composite bush structure to mount the Kia Tasman’s body to the frame-type chassis ensures improved rigidity, body control, stability and comfort. Equally, the double wishbone front suspension units have been developed to improve ride and handling in all conditions. The rear features a rigid axle with leaf springs for optimum robustness and load carrying capability, incorporating vertically mounted shock absorbers to ensure more effective damping and greater control, even at the extremes of suspension travel.

The capabilities provided by the front and rear suspension units are significantly enhanced by Kia’s frequency selective Sensitive Damper Control (SDC) and Hydraulic Rebound Stop technology. These further minimise vibration transmitted to the cabin and improve body control and comfort, even on the roughest terrain.

Interior Design – Purity and Practicality Combined

The robust and rugged space is in keeping with the character of a pickup truck. 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 – emphasise the functionality of the ventilation. A multi-function steering wheel and the modern, minimalist lower centre dashboard and tunnel sections with carefully positioned buttons provide intuitive control of the Kia Tasman’s advanced technology. Luxurious, sophisticated shapes and details applied throughout the cabin raise the bar further for pickup interior design.

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

To support its customers in new and more meaningful ways in both their business and leisure activities, Kia has equipped the Tasman’s interior with a broad range of innovative features and equipment. These include a large folding console table, dual wireless charging pads and hidden storage bins concealed beneath the rear seats offering class-leading storage capacity of 33 litres. The Kia Tasman also boasts best-in-segment headroom, shoulder room and second-row legroom of 940mm, with the rear seats able to recline between 22 and 30 degrees, ensuring a spacious and comfortable environment.

* Specifications are subject to change. Pre-production images displayed.