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It’s no secret that Americans miss out on tons of cool turbodiesel trucks. The Kia Tasman is the latest example of forbidden muscle and that’s pretty upsetting. New teasers and spy shots show that the Kia Tasmna truck is beefy, capable, and attractively boxy. 

The Kia Tasman is a real trucking contender 

The words Kia and pickup truck feel weird together, but it won’t for long. The Kia Tasman, which is known as the most Australian Kia ever and it’s a real truck. 

Seriously, with the help of Australia, Kia has developed a true contender against the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux. 

While it’s referred to as an ute the Tasman has a body-on-frame platform instead of a unibody design. It’s also a larger, mid-sized truck instead of a compact option. 

Rumors suggest that the Tasman can tow over 7,700 lbs and carry a payload of about 2,200 lbs. That beats the best-in-class towing and payload figures that the Jeep Gladiator provides. 

Plus, it will be available with a manual and an automatic transmission. Reportedly, it will be powered by a 2.2-liter diesel engine that probably doesn’t meet higher emission standards in America. 

The truck might be available in single-cab, double-cab, and chassis-cab configurations. Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive variants should be available with 2H, 4H, and 4L modes. 

Based on spy shots, the Tasman rides on 17-inch wheels. Also, it’s safe to expect an independent front suspension, a rear locking differential, and leaf springs. 

But unfortunately, this is one of two new Kia pickup trucks on the way, and this one has no mention of coming to America. 

It’s slated for Australia, the Middle East, and South Africa instead. The 25% chicken tax on imported trucks could be to blame. 

The two new Kia trucks will arrive by 2027, but it seems like the Tasman will arrive first. The second Kia truck is rumored to be a smaller EV unit for America. 

The massive Kia manufacturing plant in Georgia currently builds gas-powered Kia models like the Telluride. It could have room for a gas-powered truck or retrofit to build EVs. 

While Americans would undoubtedly love the new diesel-powered Tasman, they may have to settle for a new electric Kia truck instead.

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Staff Writer

Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.