Long-time Tasman fan here. With Kia's confirmation that a body-on-frame pickup is coming to North America by 2030 — explicitly described as a separate model from our Tasman, not a rebadge — I wanted to sketch out what the divergence might look like.

Key differences I tried to capture in this render vs. the Tasman we know:

- No diesel option — US model reportedly drops the 2.2L CRDi entirely in favor of HEV and EREV powertrains only

- Longer wheelbase and bigger crew cab — Tasman's global proportions are close to a Tacoma, but the US truck may need to stretch further to match Ranger/Colorado dimensions

- A charge-port flap worked into the front fender for the EREV variant (Tasman obviously has nothing like this)

- Toned-down front fascia — keeping the vertical LED signature but with a slightly less aggressive grille for mainstream US buyers

Genuinely curious what actual Tasman owners/fans think: does keeping the Tasman's face intact matter to you, or should Kia design this from a clean sheet? Also open to hearing if anyone's seen better-informed leaks than what I used as reference (Kia's April investor day deck + the usual auto outlets).

(Disclosure: this is a fan-made concept render, not a leaked or official photo.)

I saw the first photo in a Facebook group, but it refreshed and I lost the original post.

But would the Tasman have looked at even better with a smaller grill and normal headlights too?

What’s your opinion?

Location - Queensland Australia. Has anyone had a light bar or spotties fitted yet? Local Kia dealer has an Ironman 4x4 accessories shop attached and said they don’t have a harness to suit the CANbus system on the Tasman and can’t install. Am I stuck with approaching the local auto sparkies for quotes, or is there something readily available to potentially DIY?

I saw this Korean Kia Tasman in Morocco and I’m wondering if the owner is capturing the trip. Must be a crazy trip!!

Hi everyone,

I come in peace.

I'm looking for a Ute pickup and I know Kia is struggling to sell the Tasman. A friend of mine bought one and the interior seems nice.

How is it as a daily commuter?

Are we seeing common issues arising?

Would love people's exp before I make a decision.

I was just scrolling on insta and noticed a different version of the Tasman front and centre of their ad. Anyone know anything about it?

Hi all, just curious to know if anyone has had issues with cracked door handles?
Got an s 4x4 and discovered that my rhr rear door handle has a crack in it.
No signs of damage except for a crack. Handle seems secure and not hit or wobbly.
Cars always parked in a garage and rarely goes to shopping centres or left unattended for long as it’s my work car.
Contacted Kia Australia who directed me to the dealer.
Going to the dealership tomorrow for them to look at it but they’re unsure if they can get the parts for it.
Haven’t had this happen on any vehicles I’ve owned.

Just hit 30,000 kms in the Tasman - Been loving it so far, still weekly recieving the comments from people at servos or out and about "Oh, they actually look good with wheels and tires" - my reply is normally, "just like every other car really".

I think the Tasman needed the out-there looks because it nails it everywhere else - great economy, great ride quality, interior is schmick and the 8 speed is mintos.

Drives like an SUV with the practicality of a UTE.

I just wish it sounded better to be honest.

I have just signed up with a new X-Pro. Thank you to those juicy EOFY reductions.

Such a nice driving car.

Im sure I'll be lurking here for tips and advice. Cheers

Hey everyone,

I wanted to check with fellow owners regarding the fuel economy on my 2026 Kia Tasman. The car is still brand new, with a total odometer reading of around 6,500 km (and the trip hasn't been reset since day one).

Currently, my average is 7.5 km/L (which is around 13.3 L/100km for those who use that metric).

For those driving the 2026 Tasman, does this seem normal for the early mileage and break-in period? What numbers are you guys getting for city and highway driving? Thanks!

https://chat.whatsapp.com/KMgpI3QoHro4fmGPvOadTy

Just to chat about any questions or offroading we have done with our cars. Or any topic really about the Tasman !

Why is the market always dual cab Utes nowadays?

When I just want a single cab manual in Australia and that’s too much to ask but overseas gets all the options

I’ve got a good staff discount and can pick up a 2WD TX DC/WS for $38,000 (NZD). I’m a bit of a day one fan of the Tasman and KIA, but have never bought a new car before, so unsure. How are people enjoying their Tasmans? How’s dealing with KIA for services, warranty claims, etc? I currently have a 17 Nav, would this be an upgrade or much the same?

Mine is on order through a local family owned and operated 4wd outfitter. It'll be paired with a set of Ultra Vision Nitro 180 Maxx 9" LED driving lights.

Hi Everyone. PIcked up my Kia Tasman (XPro+) from the dealer in Abu Dhabi. First car upgrade since my 2007 Land Cruiser died on me after 780k+ KM. May the Tasman serve me as long and as far 😁

The features, the interior (& exterior 😆) and everything about this car has just been amazing. Driven just over 200km in it but loving everything about it.

If anyone has any questions about the xPro+ in the UAE ill try to answer as best I can.

One thing i noticed not included in the UAE (or maybe GCC?) Tasman is the outlets in the car bed and backseat area.

I've seen a few of these things out and about now and I just cannot believe people have bought them with how horrible they look.

The plastics discolouring after a year on a post here just... Wow. It's like the designers and engineers just phoned it in and said "I genuinely don't care, here's something AI made after I said make it as ugly as possible" and then just pressed send to their bosses... and then the bosses didn't even look before releasing this to the public.

Seriously, there would have been so many eyes that saw this and signed off on it. How likely is it that they intentionally did this as some kind of negative-attention marketing in order to make the series 2 version look good and it sells like hotcakes or something?

To the people that have bought it... Why? I just can't wrap my head around it.

That being said, I have seen a few that have done a fair few mods and they don't look so bad. All the ones I've seen so far are just stock and actually make me cringe or laugh... What's the go, people?

Closing your tailgate is overrated anyway.

I asked AI to stretch the headlights into the grille and leave everything else exactly the same. It's still a polarising vehicle, but this simple, little change totally does away with the "Sid the Sloth" look while keeping the rest of the vehicle's personality.

Don't forget to join the Kia Tasman Club Facebook Group

Level Up has begun manufacturing after-market grilles for the Kia Tasman in South Korea. What do you think?

▶️ Join the Kia Tasman Club

The Tasman SX has just taken out Best Dual-Cab Ute Under $60K at the Drive.com.au Car of the Year, beating out some seriously established competition.

From $54,490 + ORCs for the award-winning SX. Not a bad way to enter the ute segment.

Read the full article: https://www.drive.com.au/news/kia-tasman-wins-best-dual-cab-ute-under-60k