Kia Confirms Tasman SUV Plans, Could Be Followed By More Ladder-Frame Off-Roaders
- Kia is working on a Tasman-based rugged SUV that could rival the Ford Everest.
- The model could arrive soon, but final approval depends on global demand.
- A wider ladder-frame family of utes, SUVs, and EVs is also under consideration.
The Kia Tasman pickup may be just the beginning for a broader family of ladder-frame models by the Korean brand. A high-ranking engineer confirmed that a Tasman-based SUV is currently under consideration, and could be followed by other rugged off-roaders. However, this could only happen if there’s sufficient demand on a global scale to make them viable.
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Over the past year, we’ve heard rumors about an SUV variant of Kia’s first midsize pickup, with Australian executives lobbying for it. However, we now have an official confirmation by Dong Hoon Kang, Kia’s Vice President of Mid-Large Sized Vehicle Chassis Engineering Design Center, who was in charge of the Tasman’s development.
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Speaking to Australian media Drive, Kang said: “Now we are starting to consider about that”, referring to a ladder-frame SUV that could rival the likes of the Ford Everest, Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, and Isuzu MU-X. Unofficial renderings have already given us a preview of how the polarizing styling language of the pickup would look on an SUV that could feature a slightly shorter wheelbase and a three-row seating layout.
While early development studies are most likely already underway, the model has yet to receive the green light from top management. According to Roland Rivero, Kia Australia’s head of product planning, the final decision hinges on whether demand extends in global markets:
“I think it has to be globally feasible. So it can’t just be Australia that’s strongly pushing for it to see the light of day and get the green light. We’ll need the Middle East, we’ll need South Africa, we’ll need South America all on board wanting one as well.”
If the project gets approved, the SUV could arrive within the next couple of years. Kang said: “We started to develop the Tasman since, maybe, 2019 – it takes a long time. But maybe I think that the SUV, would be a little bit shorter than that – we already have the kind of foundation.”
More Off-Roaders Are Possible
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Besides confirming that Kia is actively considering a Tasman SUV, Dong Hoon Kang revealed they are also exploring other rugged models: “Not only for Tasman, we are considering ladder-frame vehicles – utes and SUVs. We need to consider all of that.”
These comments suggest that the Korean brand wants to become a major player in off-road segments, potentially expanding its appeal to a different demographic.
Kia has already confirmed it is working on a midsize pickup for North America, which will likely be one of the upcoming ladder-frame models. This model will be separate from the Tasman and is rumored to adopt a fully electric powertrain. As for the debut date, it could arrive between 2026 and 2029, possibly alongside a Hyundai sibling.
More: Hyundai Is Finally Building A Proper Pickup Truck
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While this is purely speculation at this point, Kia could further expand its lineup with an SUV version of the US-bound pickup. This would be the equivalent of the Rivian R1S to the R1T or the Scout Traveler to the Tera, although in a slightly smaller segment.
Hopefully, Kia executives will approve the above projects as the world needs more rugged SUVs with genuine off-road credentials. Bear in mind that Kia is also working on a beefier version of the Tasman to tackle the mighty Ford Ranger Raptor, alongside hybrid and electric powertrain options that could be added to the lineup later in the product cycle.
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