The Kia Tasman Truck Is Finally Taking Shape
We have good news and bad news about the new Kia pickup truck. The good news is that it’s actually happening and has a name. The Kia Tasman is in the works, and it’s based on a project that started in 2020. But the bad news is that we still have to wait!
What is the Kia Tasman?
The Kia Tasman is the temporary name for one of the upcoming Kia pickup trucks. That’s right. We said trucks because two electric models are on track to debut by 2027. One is a dedicated model, and the other is a strategic truck for emerging markets.
This may indicate that only one of the trucks will be available in America. Based on rumors, the Kia TK project or Tasman could be the dedicated model because it’s expected to be available in some countries with a diesel engine.
We’ve heard about a new truck riding on an electric vehicle platform, which tracks. It could be based on the Kia EV9 SUV. But a rugged truck with a ladder frame is also coming to fruition. It might be based on the popular Kia Mohave SUV.
There are a few spy shots with a Kia truck heavily covered in camouflage with similarities to the Mohave. You can see similar headlights and a matching grille.
However, the exterior look and frame may change before the truck makes its debut. It’s currently being tested before entering the final planning stage.
How much power will the Kia truck have?
The official specs for the Kia Tasman haven’t been released, but it’s expected to be a heavy-duty truck. The dedicated, body-on-frame double cab truck reportedly targets the ability to tow up to 7,716 lbs and carry a payload of up to 2,204 lbs.
That’s pretty impressive, as the Jeep Gladiator currently offers the best-in-class tow rating of up to 7,700 lbs. The Tasman could be a serious rival in the market and is expected to battle the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger.
It could borrow the diesel engine from the Kia Mohave. The 3.8-liter V6 unit cranks out 274 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque. But the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Genesis GV80 also have enticing diesel engines available.
If it borrows the electric setup from the Kia EV9, then the dual motors could provide 379 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The EV9 has an EPA-estimated range of 339 miles, which beats the Ford F-150 Lightning’s range of 320 miles on a single charge.
However, the electric Kia truck is expected to be smaller than the F-150 Lightning. It might be closer to the Rivian R1T in size, which has an EPA-estimated range of 352 miles.
When will the Tasman come out?
Unfortunately, the Kia Tasman isn’t expected to be available until 2025. We have to wait until the middle of 2024 for its debut, then it will enter production. But of course, these time estimates are subject to change based on supply chain issues and rising inflation.
But we’re getting closer to seeing the Kia pickup truck in action. It’s being thoroughly tested to gauge its performance both on and off the pavement. Also, the truck will be manufactured in South Korea.
This is a bit concerning because that will make it subject to the chicken tax in America and could increase the price. However, if it doesn’t come to America, then the problem will be avoided. Also, the Tasman might not even be one of the two electric trucks Kia is working on.
Stay tuned because we will continue investigating all this Kia truck news for updates. The electric trucks could arrive sooner than expected.
