Sub-Tasman 2025 Kia Atlantic ute rendered

We all know the Kia Tasman is on the way – and likely to debut next month – and that Kia is cooking up some other pick-up truck aimed at North America, but what if there was a third model in the works?

The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a North America-only monocoque ute based on the Tucson medium SUV and has been doing rather well for itself, with the same true of the Focus-based Ford Maverick.

It’s more than likely the Tasman will be offered in the US alongside its bigger and probably electric stablemate, but a digital creator has just mocked up their impression of a Sorento-based pick-up aimed more at the recreational ute buyer – as opposed to the hard-working and/or adventurous Tasman clientele.

Dubbed the 2025 Kia Atlantic, the striking ute is hypothetically based on the same N3 platform as the current Sorento family SUV and shares all the same internal combustion running gear but offers a more rugged persona, so much so it’s been labelled a ‘sport adventure vehicle’ by its creator, Elior Nona.

“It is equipped with strut suspension for the front wheels and a multi-link independent suspension in the rear,” they said.

“The rear suspension is equipped with self-leveling shock absorbers to keep the truck level even when there is weight on the bed or a trailer on the hitch.”

Monocoque utes have never been known for their payloads or off-road capabilities but the rendered Atlantic looks like it would fare better than the Sorento in the rough stuff going by its significantly higher ride height, improved approach angle and all-terrain tyres.

Kia has confirmed to carsales a Sorento-based pick-up is not in the works and that the Tasman and North American full-sizer are the only ongoing ute projects.

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au