Kia is signaling yet another shift in the SUV market, with increasing signs that an off-road-exclusive SUV based on the company’s first pickup truck, the Tasman, could become a reality.
What started as a simple digital concept has gained unexpected traction, enough for the company to seriously consider development. Kia’s Australian division has expressed strong interest, and the design is now being seen as a next-generation strategic model. With the possibility now moving from imagination to reality, the industry is closely watching what Kia will do next.
A Transformation Sparked by a Single Concept
Automotive YouTube channel NYMammoth created a rendering of an off-road SUV based on the Tasman pickup last year. What began as a personal creative project triggered surprisingly strong reactions.
According to the creator, Kia Australia directly contacted him and conveyed that the SUV should really be made. Interest reportedly spread within Kia itself, becoming a spark for internal consideration of an actual model.
The design retains the Tasman’s bold, rugged presence while refining the structure and proportions to appear more production-ready. In particular, the inclusion of a soft top in the concept has fueled further hopes for mass production.
Kia’s Design Philosophy Meets Off-Roading
The most notable aspect of the SUV concept is its design. The rendering applies Kia’s Opposites United design philosophy to the off-road segment. Excessive plastic cladding was removed in favor of clean, muscular sidelines. The A-pillar design and the flowing line from the C-pillar to the tailgate enhance the authentic off-road character.
The boxy silhouette evokes icons like the Land Rover Defender, Ford Bronco, and Jeep Wrangler, yet the vehicle also expresses a unique Kia identity. Two-tone color combinations between the body and roof, the flexible soft top, and the rear-mounted spare tire all emphasize the DNA of a true off-roader.
Why Australia? A Market Becoming a Proving Ground
There’s a clear reason why the SUV is generating so much attention in Australia. With over 40% market share held by pickups and off-road SUVs, the country is considered an off-roading paradise. In a market where models like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux dominate the sales charts, Kia Australia has consistently voiced its need for a true off-road SUV. This concept vehicle has become a visual representation of that request and a catalyst for Kia’s potential strategic shift. Australia is now more than just a key export destination—it is becoming a testbed for Kia’s evolving SUV lineup.
What’s Under the Hood?
What powertrain could we expect if the Tasman-based SUV is brought to life?
Kia is currently developing a 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine and an HEV-based all-wheel drive system. It is highly likely that this powertrain would be applied to the concept vehicle. The strategy is to maintain a body-on-frame structure while maximizing both durability and performance.
Toyota already fields the Fortuner based on the Hilux, and Ford has the Everest built on the Ranger platform. Kia joining this trend with a Tasman-derived SUV is quickly moving from wishful thinking to plausible reality.
