Kia has officially broken into a part of the automotive market where it hadn’t previously ventured, which is straight into Ford Ranger territory. Its very first pickup truck, the Tasman, has finally arrived although its arrival in the North American market is, sadly, not confirmed yet. The Tasman is looking promising so far, with a futuristic look, plenty of tech and driver assistance, and a lifestyle-oriented design that matches the expectations of today’s drivers when it comes to pickup trucks. From water fording to folding tables and everything in between, let’s explore ten of the Tasman’s characteristics that make it a game-changer in today’s increasingly competitive midsize truck market.

1 A Design That Blends Lifestyle And Ruggedness

It’s no secret: pickup trucks are not what they once were. From being a scruffy, bare-bones commercial vehicle used almost exclusively on farms and in the military, the humble pickup truck has now become a very popular choice of daily driver and family hauler, as well as a commercial vehicle. This, of course, means that modern pickups are now expected to be just as stylish and comfortable as passenger cars, and the Tasman is no exception. Combining good looks and practicality with a futuristic design that retains squared-off lines but integrates them in a softer, classy look, the Tasman offers the best of both worlds. The design is also quite out there, which may or may not work for Kia.

2 Next-Generation Driver Assistance

Built to keep the whole family safe with the most advanced tech available, the Tasman is equipped with Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). These include features such as lane keeping assist, blind spot collision warning, and remote parking assist. All these features are available through the “Highways Driving Assist 2” package.

And there’s more: the Tasman isn’t just optimized for safety during everyday driving, but also while towing a trailer. The Highways Driving Assist 2 package is specifically optimized with trailer profile functionality: this means the specifications of the trailer you’re towing are taken into account by the ADAS, so all the driver assistance features you’re used to are calibrated and optimized automatically.

3 Exceptional Capabilities Off The Beaten Track…

The Tasman takes pride in being able to tackle any type of rough terrain it may encounter, thanks to Kia’s extensive research and development work to make it a highly capable off-roader. Two of the trim levels on offer are especially suited to venturing off the beaten track: the X-Line and X-Pro. The X-Line is equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels paired with alloy and terrain tires, while the X-Pro rides on 17-inch gloss black wheels and all-terrain tires. The X-Pro also has an extra 28 mm of ground clearance (which brings the total up to 252 mm) and adds features such as an automatically engaging rear electronic locking differential and Ground View Monitor to keep an eye on the terrain below. The X-Trek driving mode is only available with the X-Pro trim, and enables the vehicle to travel smoothly at low speeds on off-road terrain without any need for manual acceleration or braking input.

4 …And In The Water

The Tasman’s off-roading prowess doesn’t just extend to rough terrain on land. Its fording abilities allow it to cross water up to 800 mm deep at a speed of up to 4 mph. This is achieved through clever positioning of the air intake inside the truck’s fender, as well as other features such as waterproof connectors for some interior components. The Tasman’s water fording capability was measured through one of several intense real-life tests (more on that later), where the truck was driven through a body of water of various depths, with the water level covering the entire hood at one point.

5 Class-Leading Interior And Bed Space

When it comes to passenger and cargo space, the Tasman does very well for itself, and has been described by Kia as class-leading on several fronts. While we don’t know all the exact metrics yet, the second-row legroom measures at 940 mm (defined by Kia as best-in-class), and the rear seats can recline by between 22 and 30 degrees for ultimate comfort. The truck’s bed also offers ample space with a cargo capacity of 1,173 liters, earning it another best-in-class title. A sliding tonneau cover and sliding cargo floor make it as easy as can be to load and unload items into the truck.

6 Customization To Suit Every Preference

Customization is one of the key principles that informed Kia’s process when designing the Tasman: it was very important to the brand to create a vehicle that could be adapted to each driver’s individual lifestyle needs. This was achieved through a wide variety of options and accessories to choose from: while the full list is not available to us yet, Kia has stated that 13 accessory products will be offered in total. These will include two different types of side steps, as well as beadlock-style wheels.

7 A Range Of Powertrains For Every Driver

The Tasman is available with several different options when it comes to powertrain and layout. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder is the gas-powered option, and a 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel is also available; both engines are turbocharged. While the gas-powered Tasman comes with an 8-speed automatic, the diesel version also offers a 6-speed manual in some markets. All engine and transmission options can be had with either a 2WD or an AWD layout. If the Tasman does eventually find its way to America, the gas-powered version is the most likely candidate. The USA has been pretty diesel adverse since Dieselgate.

8 A Business And Living Space On The Go

The Tasman was created to be not just a truck, but a space for both business and leisure, where a small business owner can work on the go and a family can be entertained during a long journey. Its dual purpose is achieved thanks to several work-and-play features that make the Tasman a comfortable living space: these include dual wireless charging pads, a folding console table to convert the truck from a working area to a relaxing one, and hidden storage bins dotted around the cabin. There is also a power outlet, ideal for charging a laptop on the go or operating a power tool on a construction site.

9 Decades Of Expertise From An Observer’s Perspective

Kia may be a newbie when it comes to pickup trucks, but it has been keeping a close eye on the market for decades now. The company has been rising through the ranks of the automotive world over the past couple of decades, from producing budget compact cars to high-quality, reliable vehicles in several different segments. Its market researchers have, no doubt, been keen observers of the pickup truck market throughout the development of the Tasman, noting which models out there have performed well and which haven’t. Thanks to several years of watching from the sidelines, Kia is now equipped with the tools it needs to succeed in yet another segment.

10 An Extensive, Brutal Testing Process

When it came to testing their new creation before sending it out into the world, Kia did their homework. The Tasman was subjected to a variety of grueling real-world tests, on all kinds of terrain, in order to accurately assess and fine-tune its off-roading capabilities.

The location of choice was the Australian Outback, one of the most challenging environments for any vehicle, where the Tasman was subjected to 18,000 miles’ worth of testing on muddy and rocky terrain. Towing testing was conducted with a large water ballast trailer, which the Tasman managed to tow up an incline and on dirt roads. The truck’s water fording capabilities were also put to the test, with the Tasman wading into a body of water of varying depths.