Exciting news for truck fans – it looks like Kia may be considering bringing their upcoming Tasman pickup to the United States after all! Several spy shots recently surfaced of a heavily camouflaged prototype testing in California, complete with Michigan license plates.
While Kia has only officially announced the Tasman for other markets so far, automakers do frequently test new vehicles in different countries. And the US is obviously a huge market for trucks. If they did sell it here, they’d have to deal with the “Chicken Tax” tariff which jack up import prices significantly.
The separate video from Australia gives us a sneak peek inside what seems to be a higher-end trim level. Dual screens, memory seats and ambient lighting make this cabin look comfy. It also looks more off-road ready with chunky door handles. We even see the column-mounted shifter and left-hand drive, even though Aus is right-side.
Power is expected to come from a 2.2L turbo diesel, paired with an 8-speed auto. Rumors say a V6 version may join the lineup too. And an electric version is planned for 2026. The double cab prototypes hint at other body styles like single cab and chassis cab as well.
Kia aims to take on top sellers like the Ranger, Hilux and Amarok with the mid-size Tasman. We can’t wait to see more of this potential new player when it launches later next year. Fingers crossed it does come to the US market too – the competition would surely drive prices down for buyers everywhere. Exciting times ahead for truck fans!
