Kia boss responds to Tasman styling criticism

KIA has unveiled a widebody prototype of its forthcoming Tasman ute with a number of specific design alterations that hit back at key criticisms of the pick-up’s offbeat styling.

The Tasman Weekender concept was shown discreetly during the 2025 Seoul Mobility Show—though the sand beige-coloured ute grabbed attention from Australian media (including GoAuto) for its potential to address feedback regarding the production model’s design cues.

Retaining the standard Tasman’s 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine, producing 154kW/441Nm, the Weekender substitutes in larger wheels and tyres on a significantly wider track supported by bespoke wheel arch extensions and a revised front-end treatment.

This prototype features body-coloured wheel arch flares in place of the unpainted plastic units fitted on the standard Tasman as revealed, as well as auxiliary rooftop lighting, front bar cutaways, an integrated winch, and a tray-mounted equipment case, while lime green highlights carry over from Kia’s high-performance GT models.

Kia Australia had already confirmed that painted fenders will be available as a locally-fitted accessory, though the full extent of the wider Weekender’s stance and enhanced wheel-body proportions, have not yet been committed to production—though they are being considered.

Speaking to GoAuto in Seoul, head of Kia global design Karim Habib acknowledged that the company had heard the feedback from target markets such as Australia regarding the Tasman’s appearance.

“We have played with the idea of body colour(ed fenders). It is something we will do in the future in different ways, in different shapes and forms,” Mr Habib said.

Asked whether a more performance-oriented derivative of the Tasman, potentially targeting rivals such as the Ford Ranger Raptor, could adopt the Weekender’s wider track and more assertive proportions, Habib said the idea was under consideration.

“Maybe that will come. If (Australia) shows certain interest, that is something we can consider … when you have these wider tracks, these bigger wheels—trucks live from that wheel-to-body proportion. It is really, really essential.”

The production version of the Kia Tasman launches in Australia in mid-2025 with customer deliveries commencing some time later.

While some elements of the Tasman’s styling have drawn strong criticism online—particularly from Australians—Mr Habib said the ute was intentionally styled to challenge established norms and sit apart from rivals like the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.

“The pick-up market is a very loyal market … For (Kia) to make an entry of value we felt we had to offer something different and that is what we tried to do. We tried to do something based on our principles … I believe that is what the Tasman is,” he said.

He also noted that polarising feedback was not necessarily negative for a brand attempting to establish itself in a well-defined market.

“I am not an objective person. My perception is that the feedback has been polarising. To me, that is different. That means there is a lot of negative feedback but there is a lot of positive feedback.

“Our intention was to create something that is not like what is out there … You have to accept there are things that (will be) well accepted and certain things not. It is something we are conscious of. (Tasman) does not please everyone. We don’t expect to be leaders in the (pick-up) market right away.”

The Tasman will play a key role in expanding Kia’s light-commercial vehicle presence globally, with Australia anticipated to be a primary market. Australian input played a role in the development of the vehicle, including tuning of the vehicle for local road conditions and preferences.