South Korean brand Kia has finally wheeled out its hotly-anticipated body-on-frame pickup utility, with the Tasman making its global debut ahead of an Australian-market launch in 2025 – a launch which is expected to launch sales figures to new heights for the brand.

The design is polarising, with boxy eyebrow-style wheel arch extensions and wide-set headlamps being the Tasman’s less positively-received features. That said, there are plenty of pragmatic inclusions on the Tasman’s exterior that should serve it well as a 4×4 dual-cab, with 252mm of ground clearance on the X-Pro grade, a sizable bed with tall sides, integrated roof racks and toehold-style steps built into the rear corners to help with loading cargo.

And speaking of cargo, Kia claims the Tasman is a class-leading cargo conveyor, with a 1,173L capacity for its tub, along with the option of an illuminated power outlet, slide-out cargo floor and the availability of a factory-issue tray for its cab-chassis variant. The standard styleside tub measures 1,512mm long, 1,572mm wide (1,186mm between the arches) and has sides that are 540mm tall. As for payload, Kia claims a maximum of 1,195kg in the vehicle, with a 3.5-tonne towing capacity.

A bevy of genuine accessories will also be offered, from the expected tow package to a bullbar, while the Tasman will come with four-bed accessory options: a single-deck config, a double-decker layout, an integrated sports bar and an integrated Ladder Rack. The sports bar will boast a range of mounting options for “outdoor lifestyle items”, while the Ladder Rack variant will be able to support a range of items besides mere ladders and pipes, such as a roof tent. The single-deck option adds a canopy with built-in roof rack, while the double-decker features rear butterfly doors and a sliding tonneau cover.

Built off a traditional steel ladder frame chassis with a live axle rear suspension and independent double-wishbone front suspension, the Tasman will be powered by a 2.2L turbo diesel with 154kW and 441Nm, sending power to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic and AWD transfer case. The 2.5L petrol engine and six-speed manual that will be available on overseas markets are not at this stage confirmed to be heading Australia’s way.

Offroad capabilities are headlined by the Tasman’s standard all-wheel drive driveline and high-mounted engine air intake, which affords an 800mm fording ability without the installation of a snorkel. The offroad-focused Tasman X-Pro will also boast an electronically locking rear differential and a unique Rock Mode for its drivetrain, both helping to boost traction. An offroad-specific camera view also leverages the ute’s parking camera array to show the area around it in high detail when precision driving is required.

On the inside, the Tasman’s cabin is designed to make for a pleasant mobile office, with a fold-out console table offering a large flat area to open up a laptop, complete paperwork or simply eat lunch. Unlike the outdoorsy exterior, the Tasman’s cabin presentation is modern and car-like, with twin side-by-side 12.3” panoramic displays displaying vehicle data and infotainment, while the other side of the dash and nearly the full length of the centre console are home to sizable storage cubbies, both lidded and open.

Dual wireless charging pads sit within that centre console, while the rear cabin offers an additional 33L of stowage under the back seats – which Kia claims also provide best-in-segment headroom, shoulder room and legroom, as well as the ability to recline up to 30°.

The Kia Tasman will launch into the South Korean market in the first half of 2025, followed by Australia, Africa and the Middle east later in the year. Full local pricing and specifications will be revealed sometime closer to then.