Kia Unveils its first pick-up truck Tasman

SAUDI ARABIA : The new Tasman will be available in three trims; Base, X-Line, and X-Pro with single-cab and double-cab versions.

• The Kia Tasman features a boxy design with a vertically stacked grille and headlights, 17-inch wheels and is offered in four-bed configurations.
• The Tasman's cabin offers modern features like two 12.3-inch screens for infotainment and instrument cluster, Harman Kardon music system, wireless charging and ADAS Level 2 safety suite.
• The pick-up truck will be available in 2.5L petrol and 2.2L diesel engine options.

The South Korean automaker Kia has finally revealed Tasman, its first-ever pickup truck. The Tasman will first launch in its native markets in the first half of 2025 followed by the launch in Africa, Australia, and the Middle East.

Exterior Highlights

The Tasman boasts a boxy design with fascia being squarish with five vertical slats in the grille, vertically stacked headlights and a muscular bumper. The pickup truck rolls on 17-inch gloss-black wheels with all-terrain tyres, while the wheel arches come with chunky plastic cladding.

The rear profile features C-shaped tail lights and the Tasman insignia in the middle. The pick-up truck is configured on the body-on-frame platform, measuring 5,410mm in length, 1,930mm in width, 1,920mm in height, and 3,270mm long wheelbase. The vehicle will be offered with four different bed configurations viz; Single-decker, double-decker, Ladder Rack and Sports Bar.

Interior comfort and technology

Inside, there is a lot to talk about. The Tasman features a panoramic widescreen featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 5-inch screen in the middle for the HVAC controls. 

Other comfort aspects include dual wireless charging pads, Harman Kardon audio system, a large folding console table and hidden storage bins hidden underneath the rear seats. Furthermore, the rear backrest can be reclined at 22 and 30 degrees. In terms of safety, the pickup truck comes with an ADAS Level 2 suite that offers features like lane-keeping assist, remote parking assist, blind spot collision warning and more. 

Engine and Performance

The Tasman will be offered with a 2.5L turbo-petrol motor that pumps out 281hp and 421Nm and a 2.2-L diesel powertrain that generates 210 hp and 441 Nm torque. The petrol engine comes paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox while the diesel one is mated to either an 8-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission. With the petrol engine, it can get from 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds gaining a top speed of 185 kph.

Talking about its off-roading capability, the pick-up truck gets three driving modes in the AWD version including Eco, Smart and Sport and four terrain modes Desert, Mud, Snow and Rock, while it comes with 800mm water wading capability. Other aspects include Sensitive Damper Control, Hydraulic Rebound Stop, and rear electronic locking differential.

The vehicle can carry a max payload of 1,195kg in 2WD mode, in addition to towing capacity of 3,500kg.

Engine	Power	Torque
2.5-litre Turbo Petrol	281 HP	421 Nm
2.2-litre Diesel	210 HP	441 Nm

Launch and availability

The Kia Tasman is expected to be priced at SAR 240,000 and will directly rival the Toyota Hilux and Isuzu V-Cross. The launch is expected in the Middle East by the end of 2025.