SPY PICS: Kia Tasman ute spotted testing in Sweden

The 2025 Kia Tasman ute has been spotted winter testing in Sweden just days after the Korean car-maker commenced its official teaser campaign for its first global pick-up, with a subtle teaser image now also appearing on the Kia Australia website.

Details are still thin on the ground at this stage, but Kia has previously confirmed the Tasman’s core powertrain will be a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel – more than likely mated to an eight-speed automatic – and that a comprehensive line-up of ute body styles and drive configurations will be offered from 2025.

It’s also been rumoured some markets will get a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol version of the Tasman, which would pinch its powertrain out of the Hyundai Sonata N-Line, the entry-level Genesis GV70 and the Hyundai Santa Cruz dual-cab sold in the US.

That could make Volkswagen a little hot under the collar given it offers a sporty 2.3-litre turbo-petrol engine under the bonnet of its top-spec Amarok Aventura, and there’s also the prospect of a V6-powered Tasman GT aimed squarely at the Ford Ranger Raptor.

The new spy shots don’t reveal too much we didn’t already know about the Tasman but they do reiterate what we already know about its design – namely that the initial dual-cab 4x4 pick-up derivative will don a very unique look and should prove quite the capable rig if it has enough suspension travel to match its generous ground clearance.

For readers seeing the car for the first time, take note of the Kia EV9-style headlights, contrasting wing guards, blocky body sculpting, relatively long tub, LED tail-lights and handy Ford Ranger-style tub steps in the rear corners.

If you’re a bit thrown off by its proportions you’re not alone, but bear in mind the pre-production vehicle in these spy pics isn’t wearing all of its showroom-spec trimmings like the blacked-out silhouette shown on Kia Australia’s website.

Referred to only as the ‘Ute’ under the coming soon section, the shadowy teaser fills in a couple of the missing details and, to our eyes at least, makes the Tasman look a lot like a Jeep Gladiator in profile.

Unlike the dual-cab Jeep, however, the Tasman will be able to lug close to a tonne in its tub and tow up to 3500kg, as per the established ute favourites like the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-MAX.

This is due in part to the Tasman employing leaf springs and a live axle at the back, while a double-wishbone arrangement will take care of suspension duties at the front in the name of on-road manners.

Expect low-range and a locking rear diff to come as standard on all 4x4 versions, along with an 800mm wading depth and all the driver assistance technologies you can poke a stick at.

The 2025 Kia Tasman will make its global debut later this year before entering Australian showrooms in the first half of next year, perhaps following a global launch at next year’s Australian Open tennis tournament.

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