Kia is entering the pickup space with the 2026 Tasman. Currently available in Oceania, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, this rig is taking aim at some of the most well-established marques in their respective regions. While the South Korean automaker has no plans (yet) to bring it to North America, the truck you see here could form the basis for a similar model that would be sold in the US and Canada under the banner of Kia’s corporate partner, Hyundai.
What is the Kia Tasman?
Design
Tasman’s styling is generating polarizing opinions. The front end tries to fit within the brand’s current design language. While it works well on SUVs such as the Sorento and Telluride, we think it’s a miss in this application. It gives off first-generation Honda Ridgeline vibes, and that truck didn’t exactly set the market on fire.
Two-door Single and four-door Double Cab configurations will be offered with a 5-foot bed specifically designed to carry a standard Australian or European pallet. Unlike the Ridgeline or smaller Hyundai Santa Cruz, which use a car-type unibody chassis, the Tasman is a traditional body-on-frame truck. This results in maximum bed payload and towing capacities of around 2,500 and 7,700 pounds, respectively.
Inside, the boxy theme is used to much better effect, with the tan accents offering a unique look versus the bolder primary colors you might find in other pickups. The instrument panel and infotainment layouts will be familiar to anyone who’s driven a recent Kia. It even has some new tricks up its sleeve with a “Ground View Monitor” that uses a special camera to provide an unobstructed look at what’s immediately in front of the vehicle, which can be a godsend when off-roading. Practical touches include an expandable center console table and bedside storage that doubles as a folding work surface.
Engines
Under the hood, Tasman offers turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. The former is a 2.5-liter unit that produces 278 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The latter is a 2.2-liter with 207 horsepower and 325 pound-feet. Both engines pair with an 8-speed automatic transmission with the diesel also offering a 6-speed manual. Rear- and 4-wheel-drive are available, depending on trim level and region.
Pricing
The 2026 Kia Tasman ranges in price from $38,010-$74,990 Australian dollars (AUD), or about $27,000-$53,000 US. This puts the Tasman squarely in the middle of a market segment dominated by the likes of the Ford Ranger, Nissan Navara, and Toyota’s legendary HiLux.
Why the 2026 Kia Tasman matters
While Kia has stated that the Tasman is not planned for the US or Canada, its arrival is noteworthy. Hyundai is widely rumored to be developing a new midsize pickup for North America to either be positioned above or to outright replace the smaller Santa Cruz. Tasman’s platform and engineering could preview elements of that future truck.
CG Says:
Based on early drive impressions from Australian media outlets, the Tasman comes across as a traditional-feeling pickup with solid capability and competitive pricing, though it lacks polish compared to its more established rivals. Still, as a first attempt, it appears to be a credible entry in a demanding segment. Hopefully Hyundai will learn some lessons from the Tasman’s launch and use it to improve their version of the truck for North America, where competition is arguably tougher with the likes of the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma vying for consumer attention and dollars.
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2026 Kia Tasman Pictures
