Kia Tasman pickup set to debut in 2025

You probably already know Kia will soon launch a pickup truck called the Tasman. Reportedly set to take on the likes of the Mitsubishi Triton, Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, and Nissan Navara, the rumored pickup could cause quite a stir in the midsize truck market.

At the time, the automaker did not release any images of the upcoming pickup truck. Besides confirming its existence and its official name, Kia was tight-lipped about its looks...until now. Ladies and gentlemen, this is your first look at the soon-to-be-revealed Kia Tasman pickup truck.

Wearing a unique livery by renowned artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop hailing from Australia & New Zealand, the truck features a boxy yet rugged-looking exterior. But why call it the Tasman in the first place?

This is your first look at 2025 Kia Tasman pickup truck image

Well, according to Kia, the name comes from the Tasman Sea which sits between Australia and New Zealand. The name is also a homage to Abel Tasman who discovered Australia's island state that now bears the name Tasmania. As for its appearance, the pickup appears to have an EV9-inspired front fascia with its vertical LED daytime running lights and eye-catching LED headlights. Also worth mentioning is the vertical grille, the rugged bumpers, and the squared-off fenders complete with black body cladding.

Back to the unique livery designed by Boyd-Dunlop, the special wrap centers around the theme of “The Path Never Taken” which highlights the Tasman's adventurous spirit. Influenced by Australia's untamed beauty and diverse landscapes, the livery resonates with Boyd-Dunlop's adventures in Australia.

“This design resonates as it evokes my own personal experiences traveling across Australia and the encounters that I had. These experiences are influential to my work, and the Tasman enabled me to create a continuation of this, depicting the connection, joy, and sheer sense of adventure that is inherent to Australian culture,” said Boyd-Dunlop.

This is your first look at 2025 Kia Tasman pickup truck image

Other details about the Tasman pickup truck are still a mystery. However, Kia did confirm that it will be powered by a turbo-diesel powertrain. With that, we won't be surprised if it might get the Carnival's 2.2-liter turbo-diesel engine. In the minivan, the turbo-diesel powerplant makes 202 PS and 441 Nm of pull. It is then paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

With its debut set sometime in 2025, it might be a while before Kia fully unveils its new pickup truck. Once launched, however, it will be offered in markets such as Australia, New Zealand, Korea, the Middle East, and Asia.