Truck It Up: The Kia Tasman (and K4)

Kia has been teasing a truck for some time now, but whether or not the U.S. will get it is doubtful.

Kia is planning to make a pickup truck called the Tasman, and it’s been spotted testing for quite some time now! The brand says that we should expect an official unveiling in October of this year and that they have conducted thousands of tests to ensure typical “truck durability” let’s say.

It’s unclear if the Tasman will come to the United States. This largely uncertain because of the “Chicken Tax” - a 25% tariff on foreign produced trucks implemented in response to tariffs on American poultry imports first imposed in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Everywhere else in the world isn’t quite as stuck on trucks as Americans are, but the South-Korean produced Tasman will be sold in the Middle East, Africa and Australia. It will also offer a diesel engine option and 2WD and 4WD applications. Should Kia produce the Tasman at their factory in Georgia, then perhaps we could get it stateside. But rumor is the brand is also testing and developing a full EV pickup as well. Interesting…

I worked in product planning while the Hyundai Santa Cruz was in development at Hyundai, and it was an exercise in communication between management in the Americas and South Korea. There was often conflict… So we’ll see how this vehicle turns out in the end, and if it actually DOES make it to our shores. Or if we get an EV Kia truck…

Speaking of New Models…

In other new car news that’s NOT an SUV or truck: the new Kia K4.

The K4 is a replacement for the Forte and has a starting price of $21,990 – very affordable in the current new car market. Under the hood, you get a 2.0L 147 HP inline 4-cylinder engine standard on LX, LXS and EX trims paired to a CVT. The upcoming GT-Line trim can be had with the prior engine or with my favorite Hyundai/Kia powerplant: a 1.6T engine making 190 HP. Other tech features available in the K4 are standard wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a full-screen dashboard display (roughly 30-inches of display), optional Digital Key 2.0 with Ultra-Wideband, available heated and ventilated front seats, and available Harman/Kardon premium audio.

Personally, I’m not sold on the styling of the K4. But if I was going to get a Kia K4, this is the trim I would get: EX with options, Deep Sea Blue paint. To me, this is the best balance of options and price in this segment.

Accessories I added: Wheel Locks ($75), Cargo Mat ($100), Mudguards ($125), Carpet Floor Mats ($175), and Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror ($350).

What are your thoughts on these new models and what other new cars are you looking forward to?

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