2026 Kia Tasman Mid-Size Pickup Truck Debuts, No U.S. Plans Yet

After years of making sedans, SUVs, and crossovers, Kia is readying its first-ever pickup truck. The 2026 Kia Tasman is a ruggedly styled pickup with body-on-frame construction. Its sharply sculpted looks are almost militaristic. It’s roughly the same size as a Ford Ranger, and Kia plans on offering the Tasman in double-cab and single-cab variants and three grades: Base, X-Line, and X-Pro.

The most capable version is the Tasman X-Pro, which has seen its ground clearance raised to 9.5 inches – a 1.1-inch increase over the other trims. The X-Pro also gets nubby all-terrain tires, 17-inch gloss black wheels, a special terrain driving mode, and an off-road-tuned suspension. It’ll also wade in up to 31.4 inches of water. It’s hard to tell from the renderings, but it’s likely to have some bash plates or other underbody protection, as found on most off-road trucks.

Kia hasn’t provided too many technical details yet but plans on offering the Tasman with a couple of different drivetrains depending on where it’s sold. The initial gas offering will be a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft. of torque. Those specs align with the engine in the Hyundai Santa Fe. For some markets, a 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine with 207 horsepower and 325 lb-ft will be offered. of torque. Expect an 8-speed automatic transmission for both engines, while the diesel can be equipped with a 6-speed manual. Towing capacity is estimated at just over 7700 pounds. It’s unclear if all-wheel-drive will be standard or optional.

The Tasman’s interior is clean and refined. It features a floating center console, dual 12.3-inch displays fused into a single panel, and dual wireless chargers. Like other recent Kia and Hyundai vehicles, it has a column-mounted shifter to free up console space. The center armrest also flips open to provide a small laptop desk or tabletop for dining. Front-facing cameras provide a view of the trail ahead when off-roading.

While I prefer trucks with flat floor space under the back seats, Kia went with underfloor storage bins. This arrangement is usually good for toting things like first aid kits and small tools but not for carrying larger items inside the cabin.

Like other truck makers, Kia plans to offer an array of accessories to personalize the Tasman. Bed accessory options include a Single-Decker with a canopy, butterfly doors, and a rooftop tent rack. The Double-Decker option provides a sliding tonneau cover and butterfly doors. The Sports Roll Bar package provides a frame for securing long items like surfboards. A Ladder Rack option offers another way to mount a rooftop tent.

Despite performing some of its durability tests here in the U.S., Kia hasn’t announced plans to bring the Tasman stateside. In 2025, the truck will launch in Korea, followed by Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. I remain hopeful that we will see the Tasman here at some point. Given the popularity of trucks in North America, I can’t imagine that Kia isn’t considering it.