Welp, it’s finally here, after countless teasers and previews, Kia finally pulled the digital sheets off of its first-ever pickup truck, the Tasman, and is preparing for its big launch in markets abroad, but not for ours. The Korean company long ago started teasing its first pickup as its contribution to the global midsize market, currently dominated by the likes of the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navarra, Mitsubishi Triton, Volkswagen Amarok, and even the global Ford Ranger, many of which are forbidden fruit for the U.S. market.
It’s no mystery that midsize pickups are very popular globally, especially in far corners of the world where its all-terrain capabilities and practical hauling abilities make for great motoring companions, especially in more desolate areas. Whether in the deserts of Africa or Australia, or deep in the tropical forests of South Asia or Central America, these pickups are icons and hugely popular for all the right reasons. But will the Tasman be popular enough to garner enough interest here in the States to compete with our small selective pool of midsize pickups?
The Most Off-Road-Ready And Capable Kia Ever
Kia may be known globally for making excellent mainstream and economy cars and crossover SUVs and thus, rugged off-roaders and trucks really aren’t their forte (see what I did there?). Which is why a pickup like the Tasman is a big deal for the brand, aside from being the first-ever pickup from the South Korean automaker.
Featuring a clean-sheet in-house design with a classic body-on-frame ladder construction, the Tasman looks to dethrone the Hilux and Navarra in both the capability and hauling departments, especially since it boasts the most cargo capacity in the segment. But lots of cargo capacity isn’t the Tasman’s only noteworthy tech spec.
Despite its rigid ladder frame construction, the Tasman sports sophisticated double-wishbone front suspension with a solid rear axle and leaf springs for the best balance between handling, maneuverability, and load-carrying capability. Vertical-mounted shock absorbers specifically improve suspension travel and extreme axle articulation for improved damping, control, and off-road capability. Frequency-sensitive adaptive dampers with bespoke Hydraulic Rebound Stop technology also provide a more comfortable and luxurious on-road experience, helping to balance out the Tasman’s compromise between durability and on-road friendliness, particularly since making a truck more rugged often compromises its livability and overall comfort.
Propelling the Tasman is a wide variety of potent turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines, ranging from a 280-horsepower 2.5-liter gasoline four-cylinder with an eight-speed automatic and 310 pound-feet of twist, to a torque-happy 2.2-liter 210-horsepower turbocharged diesel with 325 torques.
“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,” said Ho Sung Song, Kia’s President and CEO said in his official statement.“The Kia Tasman is a progressive pickup truck that follows its own path – not the competition. The Kia Tasman combines true pickup values with exceptional capability and practicality, and advanced features that defy conventional thinking. This essence is instilled in our global slogan ‘Dive into a New Dimension’, enabling customers to broaden their horizons. It offers world-first solutions for those seeking a lifestyle vehicle for leisure and outdoor activities while meeting the needs of small business operators, such as traders and farmers.”
Although not specifically for our markets, there’s always a chance that if enough prospective customers express their interest, Kia can make the adjustments needed to adapt the Tasman for the U.S. market.
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