SPY PICS: 2025 Kia Tasman ute spotted in Korea

A popular Korean YouTuber has got up close and personal with a near-production prototype version of the 2025 Kia Tasman ute, providing the best look yet at the upcoming Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux rival that’s primed to become Kia’s best-selling model globally.

Despite the dense camouflage, the Tasman located in an underground car park in South Korea by Woopa TV exposes fresh details of Kia’s long-awaited global mid-size ute.

These include some key styling elements such as vertical headlight stacks inspired by the Kia Telluride and EV9 full-size SUVs – instead of the previously seen Mohave clusters – and a multi-curved bonnet line that will add an extra sense of chunkiness.

Gaps in the camouflage also preview a series of sharp, deep body creases running down the flanks of the vehicle, a raised bonnet and a peculiar sunken join between the bonnet, front wings and A-pillar, all reinforcing the tough-truck aura in tandem with the squared-off wheel-arches.

The Woopa TV host draws parallels between the Tasman and existing off-roaders like the Jeep Gladiator and previous military-styled Hummer wagons when describing the body lines, and it’s clear they’re on the right track when you take a look at the nuggety wing mirrors.

As per the norm in this top-selling segment, Kia’s all-new workhorse will have a ladder-frame chassis and a solid-axle leaf-sprung rear suspension to cope with the demands of hauling loads and travelling off-road, with images snapped from underneath the rugged rig revealing a series of chassis and subframe strengthening measures.

The prototype is fitted with black 17-inch alloy wheels and road-oriented 265/65-profile Kumho Crugen HT51 SUV tyres, which is typical ex-factory rolling stock – albeit often in a 265/60R18 profile, although this varies between trim levels.

Inside the cabin we can see air vents covered in honeycomb mesh with central adjustors, a traditional gear selector, decent sized storage bins, centre console-mounted start button, leather upholstery, toggles for the 4x4 and ESC systems, multi-layered door trims and wacky door handles resembling a Jeep Rubicon’s bonnet latches.

carsales understands the Tasman will become the dual-cab ute class leader for rear legroom and there certainly looks to be a lot of space on offer, despite the small-looking doors.

At the back there are integrated steps on each corner of the tub to help with access to the load area, while the tail-lights look to mimic the headlights in being vertically stacked.

Through the camo mesh we can see the prototype is fitted with a genuine tub liner and integrated sports bars as per the Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain, though little can be ascertained about any tie-down points or possible tub lighting.

The tub itself is long and commodious – just like the wheelbase, which could end up being one of the longer examples in the segment.

Kia is set to formally announce the Tasman project in March – including the Australian-led development program – ahead of the ute’s national release in the middle of 2025.

However, a Ford Ranger Raptor-baiting GT variant or Everest-conquering SUV spin-off will not feature from launch.

That said, we’re expecting an off-road flagship model to match the likes of the Toyota HiLux GR Sport and Nissan Navara Warrior.

The bulk of the Australian range is set to be powered by an enhanced version of the Kia Sorento’s 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.

Stay tuned for more details as they come to hand.

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