Kia's Ambitious SUV Plans Face Obstacles Due to the Tasman | Carscoops
The company has halted plans for a rugged SUV associated with the Tasman pickup due to disappointing sales, although a plug-in hybrid variant might still be pursued.
Kia postpones its rugged SUV ambitions in light of slow Tasman sales.
The SUV project will rely on global interest beyond Australia.
An electrified Tasman could enhance its competitiveness against hybrid alternatives.
Kia's first midsize pickup, the Tasman, has not met sales expectations, impacting future initiatives. A planned SUV variant, which had been in preliminary development stages, has now been put on hold.
Nevertheless, there is a potential positive outcome. Kia is contemplating a plug-in hybrid version of the Tasman that could improve its competitiveness with rivals that have already adopted electrification.
In June, Kia executives proposed a rugged SUV based on the Tasman’s ladder-frame architecture, hinting at a possible launch within three years. By August, a senior executive confirmed that the model was still under consideration, but final approval would depend on global demand.
Currently, that demand appears uncertain. The SUV's success is closely linked to the pickup’s performance, and things have not progressed as anticipated.
Reasons for the SUV Delay
In an interview with Australian outlet Drive, Roland Rivero, General Manager of Product Planning at Kia Australia, noted that discussions about a body-on-frame SUV are ongoing. However, he emphasized that any new body style depends entirely on the success of the current Tasman pickup.
“Any exploration of an additional body style variant would ultimately rely on the ute's success first and foremost,” Rivero explained. “I’m not saying it’s off the table or dismissed, but an SUV is not the top priority at the moment.”
Rivero also highlighted the importance of global interest in justifying development beyond the Australian market.
“From Australia’s perspective, we’ve expressed our desire for an SUV variant,” he said, “but it must also be the case in other markets that carry the Tasman; they need to want an SUV too. It cannot solely be Australia advocating for an SUV. Regions like South America, the Middle East, and the South Korean domestic market—those regions that take the Tasman must also express interest in an SUV.”
Can New Versions Change the Outcome?
In November, the Tasman ranked ninth in Australia’s midsize truck segment, with 607 units sold. In South Korea, the pickup performed slightly better with 592 units sold, making it the top-selling pickup in the country for that month.
Kia hopes that the introduction of new model variants will help improve these figures. If sales pick up, the SUV project may be revisited.
What a Tasman SUV Could Look Like
If the project moves forward, the Tasman SUV would face stiff competition from established ladder-frame vehicles like the Toyota Land Cruiser and Fortuner, Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, and Isuzu MU-X. Most of these models combine off-road capabilities with family-friendly features, typically offering three rows of seating.
Conceptual renderings from digital artists, including Theophilus Chin, depict a possible design direction for the SUV, envisioning it with a shorter wheelbase than the Tasman pickup and a redesigned rear end suitable for passenger use.
Advancing Electrification of the Tasman
While the SUV project is currently on hold, Kia continues to advance electrification efforts. Rivero confirmed that powertrain development is actively ongoing.
Previously, he mentioned that the Tasman’s body-on-frame design can accommodate a variety of powertrains, including both hybrid and fully electric systems. Recent updates suggest that a plug-in hybrid is being seriously evaluated, enabling the Tasman to compete with models like the mild-hybrid Toyota Hilux and the plug-in Ford Ranger.
A range-extender setup, while less likely, could also be considered for a future Hyundai truck. Whether this would be sufficient to revitalize the Tasman's sales remains uncertain.
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Kia's Ambitious SUV Plans Face Obstacles Due to the Tasman | Carscoops
The company has halted its plans for a tough SUV associated with the Tasman pickup due to poor sales, although a plug-in hybrid variant may still proceed.