Kia Tasman tough truck unveiled

Has Kia been listening to feedback surrounding the polarising design direction taken with the new Kia Tasman ute? The Tasman Weekender Concept – or WKNDR, as its badging screams – suggests this is very much the case.

The new tough truck concept has just dropped at the Seoul Motor Show in South Korea, presenting a seriously pumped-up version of Kia's upcoming Tasman ute that disguises many of its more controversial design elements.

With Ford Ranger Raptor-rivaling optics, the bigger, chunkier, more aggressively styled ute is the byproduct of Kia's designers having free rein with off-road accessories.

It should be mentioned that many of the accessories here (including the military-style, body-colored wheel arch add-ons) are still conceptual. However, public response to the concept will almost certainly influence whether any of these additions become genuine accessories.

While Kia is keeping quiet on the official bits and pieces of this jacked-up mud-slinger, the integrated front winch and roof-mounted ski and snowboard setup suggest this is aimed at customers keen on snow sports and high-country adventures.

Kia’s new monster is decked out with everything an adventure junkie could dream of—massive front and rear bumpers with recovery points, chunky all-terrain tyres, and rugged side steps.

A beefy roof rack flowing into a dramatic sailplane, along with what appear to be dual rear-facing winches, adds a little razzle-dazzle. There’s even a massive storage box above the tray to secure your gear.

Everything about the concept maintains an angular, futuristic vibe, emphasized by the matte beige finish of the Tasman Weekender dual-cab ute.

There are also eye-catching lime-green accents on the bumpers, with matching tie-down straps at the back.

Kia has already revealed plenty of genuine accessories for the Tasman ahead of its mid-2025 showroom debut in Australia, but none come close to these concept pieces—especially those unique wheels.

It would appear the concept is more about showcasing possibilities rather than previewing actual upcoming options. However, if there’s strong public demand for these designs, there’s every chance Kia could pull the trigger and make these add-ons available to customers.

Powertrain upgrades would be nice—such as the addition of the six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine from Kia’s luxury sister brand, Genesis. But this isn't Kia's answer to the Ranger Raptor… yet.

Aussie-delivered Kia Tasman utes will come with a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel (154kW/441Nm), driving all four wheels through a conventional eight-speed auto, with a maximum tow rating of 3500kg.

Pricing for the new Kia Tasman hasn't been confirmed but Korean Tasman prices provide a high-level preview of how the vehicle will be positioned locally.

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