If you’ve been keeping an eye on the truck market lately, you probably know that Kia has entered the pickup segment with its new Tasman.
Kia’s Tasman pickup is still a fresh face in the automotive world, having launched just a year ago. The truck is currently aimed at markets such as Korea, the Middle East, Australia, and Africa. Unfortunately for North American drivers, Kia has no plans to bring it to the U.S. or Europe anytime soon. So, if you were hoping to see one parked in your driveway, it’s best not to get your hopes up.
That goes for an SUV version of the Tasman as well. There’s no indication that Kia is developing one, which is a shame — an SUV built on the Tasman platform would likely make for a tough, capable family hauler with serious off-road potential.
Still, digital artists have imagined what such a vehicle could look like, and recent renderings show a rugged machine that would fit right in alongside models like the Toyota 4Runner. The design gives off serious adventure vibes, with proportions that appear a bit larger than Toyota’s iconic SUV.
The imagined Tasman SUV features a fully enclosed cargo section behind the rear seats, extending the practicality of the pickup’s layout. The rear doors are longer to improve access for passengers, while the back overhang appears slightly shorter. The wheelbase looks unchanged, giving it a balanced stance.
Another standout detail is the fender design, which blends cleanly into the bodywork and matches the paint color for a more refined look. Some subtle cladding along the lower panels adds a touch of ruggedness, while the front bumper remains unchanged from the pickup. The rear bumper design, however, is unique to the SUV rendering. It also sits on a new set of wheels wrapped in chunky all-terrain tires, ideal for off-road use.
Overall, the concept looks ready for the trails — or at least for the showroom floor. If Kia ever decided to bring a Tasman SUV to Western markets, it could give the 4Runner and Bronco some serious competition. For now, though, it remains a digital dream.
For reference, the Kia Tasman pickup starts at around $28,365 for the base S 4x2 model in Australia, moving up to $35,950 for the SX, $41,165 for the SX+, $44,860 for the X-Line, and $49,480 for the top-tier X-Pro. Every version is powered by a 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel producing 206 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque.