Kia Tasman To Spawn 4Runner-Rivaling SUV

When Kia launched the Tasman late last year, it made a splash. Not only because of its polarizing, slightly offensive looks – which apparently works to its advantage – but because it’s the first time that the Korean marque has ventured into making a ladder-frame truck that can rival the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma. Kia’s isn’t stopping there, though, as an SUV version of the Tasman is confirmed to be on the horizon.

“Three years down the track.” Those were the words of Graeme Gambold when asked by Carsales whether it was time to talk about plans for a Tasman SUV. Gambold is Kia Australia’s Chief Engineer, the very person who’s behind the tuning of the newly introduced Korean truck. The proposition of a Toyota 4Runner-rivaling Tasman SUV isn’t exactly new, with digital artists already imagining what it could look like as seen in the images here.

The Tasman Needs To Succeed First

While not a confirmation, it’s great that the Korean marque isn’t ruling out a version that will rightfully serve as a ladder-frame counterpart to the Kia Sorento. Kia Australia’s marketing chief, Dean Norbiato, was quick to put off further speculation about the SUV, though, pointing out that the Tasman has to do well first when it hits the showrooms this year.

“If Tasman is a success, then it will open many doors, so let’s get Tasman right first,” Norbiato told Carsales.

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Kia isn’t exactly new to making ladder-frame SUVs. In fact, previous versions of the Sportage and Sorento were body-on-frame SUVs. And then there was the Borrego, also known as the Mohave, which was only sold for a few generations before bowing out. A Tasman SUV could revive Kia’s contention in the 4×4 off-roader segment – a niche that Americans love.

Not Likely Coming To The US, But Who Knows

And then, there’s the rub. The Kia Tasman isn’t coming to the US, that much has been confirmed before. America will have something different, though details of that truck are scarce at this point. What we know for now is that it will have a robust towing system and off-roading capabilities, and that Kia aims to eventually sell 90,000 units of it annually and hold a 7% market share.

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That said, if the Tasman gets an SUV down the line, probably in 2028 or 2029, it won’t likely reach the US. However, that doesn’t close the doors to an SUV version of whatever Kia’s cooking with its US-exclusive truck. We’ll know more in a few years or so, but at least America will have its own made-in-USA Korean truck.

Source: Carsales