Introducing Kia Tasman 2025
After a flurry of teasers and hype, Tasman is finally here. Not in the US, of course, because it's not going to be released in North America. This van, which is a fierce competitor of the Ford Ranger, will be sold in South Korea (Kia's home country), Australia, the Middle East and Africa. As expected of a mid-size van, the Tasman comes in a variety of models.
Kia offers the Tasman in single-cab and double-cab versions, as well as a special chassis cab model that's perfect for businesses to customize to their liking. Looking at the advertising images, we can see the special and unique design of this car from every angle. The rear of the car is a little more normal, but the big Kia logo on the rear door (which some people mistakenly read as "KN"!) catches everyone's attention. The strangest angle is related to the side view, which has a mustache-like body covering. For the wheel arches, you can choose the regular model that covers the entire arch with a black coating.
Tasman has a bold look with its different front end. The vertical lights are placed on both sides and the prominent hood conveys a sense of power. Contrary to the opinion of some who expected the Telluride van, this car has a separate structure. The Tasman has a frame body, not like the Maverick or Ridgeline, which use a one-piece construction. The inside of the car, unlike its harsh appearance, has a soft and modern design. A three-panel layout is used in the Tasman cabin; 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 5-inch display in the middle and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. While it doesn't lack in terms of display, Kia still uses traditional keys and buttons to access some functions.
On the center console is a plaque that shows the van's dimensions: 212 inches long, 75 inches wide, and 75 inches high. Wheelbase isn't mentioned, but we know it's 128.7 inches. In some markets, this van is available with six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic gearboxes and in two-wheel and four-wheel drive models. In Korea, the Tasman is offered with a 2.5-liter gasoline engine that produces 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Although acceleration is not a big deal in this segment, the Tasman reaches 62 mph in 8.5 seconds and has a top speed of 115 mph. In Australia, the 2.2-liter diesel model is available with 207 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. In the Middle East and Africa, customers can choose between gasoline and diesel engines. Kia has prepared the Tasman for challenging roads with a double-wishbone front suspension and a rear axle with leaf springs. The car can be submerged in water up to 31.5 inches deep, and as a safety measure, waterproof connectors have been incorporated into the interior. The Tasman is also ready for any surface with 17- and 18-inch off-road tires and multiple driving modes such as desert, mud, snow and rock.
Kia claims more head, shoulder and legroom in the second row than other competitors. The rear seats recline between 22 and 30 degrees, and by raising them, two hidden compartments are available for storing valuables. Other features include two wireless charging pads, a Harman Kardon sound system, a folding console table, and auxiliary handles on the A-pillars. Kia introduced 13 accessories for the Tasman from the start, including beadlock wheels, side steps and a sunroof with butterfly doors. The cargo space can also be equipped with a sliding cover or a roll bar, and a roof tent-compatible cargo strap is also available. Korea will be the first market to receive Tasman in the first half of 2025, followed by markets in Australia, Africa and the Middle East. Kia believes that Saudi Arabia will be one of the most important markets for this car, and for this reason, it will be shown for the first time at the Jeddah Motor Show.
The Tasman is not the only Kia van under development; An electric van will also be released by 2027. The prototype may even have been tested in America this year. Kia may also be planning an all-electric version of the Tasman for foreign markets. If Kia plans to sell this car in the US, it will have to produce it at the Georgia plant to avoid the 25 percent tax known as the "Chicken Tax."
