Kia Tasman - Redefining Off-Road Performance in Pickup Truck Market

Abu Dhabi : The first pickup truck from the brand is designed to handle both on- and off-road challenges.

• The pick-up features a strong, reliable platform, excellent water-wading ability, and a tough truck bed.
• It features a two-speed All-Transfer Case (ATC), electronic-locking differential (e-LD), and special terrain modes for different conditions.
• The Tasman gets a 2.5-liter turbo petrol and a 2.2-liter turbo diesel powertrain option.

The Kia Tasman is the company's first pickup, built from scratch to do more than just carry loads. It mixes on- and off-road driving easily, offering practical versatility for different tasks. Its new platform provides strong off-road skills and high payload capacity. Let’s know all about its off-roadability.

Ready for any challenge

The Tasman is built for tough terrain, with a ground clearance of up to 252mm available on the X-Pro model. Its approach, departure, and ramp-over angles reach up to 32.2, 26.2, and 25.8 degrees, making it strong off-road. The front suspension uses a high-mount double-wishbone design to resist rust and boost ground clearance, while the rear has a rigid axle with leaf springs.

Special shock absorbers with sensitive valves and urethane bump stops help smooth the ride across rough surfaces. Different tyres suit each model: Highway Terrain tyres for on-road driving and larger All-Terrain tyres on the X-Pro for tough terrain. The vehicle can wade through water up to 800mm deep at speeds of up to 7 kmph.

Crafted for maximum endurance

The Kia Tasman’s X-Line and X-Pro models feature standard four-wheel drive (4WD). It includes advanced off-road tech, making it the most capable Kia off-roader yet. The Two-Speed Active Transfer Case offers four drive modes: 2H, 4H, 4L, and 4A, allowing drivers to choose the best setting for their needs.

A special Desert mode is for sandy dunes, which also improves cooling with a water-cooled oil cooler. The X-Trek Mode offers low-speed cruise control for rough terrain so that the drivers can focus on steering. 

Additional features like the Ground View Monitor show the underbody terrain via the infotainment screen, while the Off-Road Page provides real-time data on the engine, transmission and cooling systems.

Performance 

The Kia Tasman is set to debut in different markets with varied engine choices. In the Middle East and Africa, it will have options between the 2.5-liter turbo petrol and the 2.2-liter turbo diesel. The engines will be paired with either automatic or manual transmissions depending on the market.

The Tasman is built to tow loads up to 3,500kg and features enhanced cooling systems, such as larger radiators and air-cooled transmission oil coolers, with extra water-cooled systems in desert areas. It includes a Tow Mode for smoother towing and Kia’s first Trailer Brake Controller and Trailer Stability Assist to reduce trailer sway. 

The drivetrains underwent tough testing in locations from snowy Sweden to Abu Dhabi deserts and steep US hills to ensure durability and performance across diverse conditions.

Interiors – Writing A New Dimension

Inside, the slimmer seatbacks help maximise the 2,214 mm-long space. The second row features Kia’s first sliding-linked reclining seats for a more relaxing position. Tech-wise, it boasts a big 12.3-inch display combined with a 5-inch segment screen and a second 12.3-inch infotainment system, all run by Kia’s latest software. A premium Harman Kardon sound system completes the setup.

Cargo room and accessories

The Tasman is built for adventure, offering plenty of space and tough features. Its bed is 1,573mm long and 1,600mm wide, with a depth of 543mm, giving plenty of cargo room of over 1,200 litres. The width between the wheel arches is 1,194mm, enough for standard-sized pallets. It can carry up to 1,151kg, including the loads inside the cabin. 

The bed includes useful features like slots for wooden dividers, cargo rails with cleats, tie-down hooks, side lighting, a protective liner, and a 220V inverter for power. Kia also offers accessories like canopies, sports bars, sliding trays, bed covers, and side steps to match the vehicle’s rugged look. 

Launch

The Tasman will be launched in Korea first, during the first half of 2025. Release in Australia and the Middle East will follow soon.