Kia Tasman Stirs Design Debate
What If It Came as an SUV?
Virtual Renderings Spark Interest
Kia’s first-ever pickup truck, the Tasman, has turned heads since its debut, garnering significant public attention. Its distinctive design sets it apart from the rest of Kia’s lineup, drawing mixed reactions. While some praise its solid and masculine aesthetic, others find the design polarizing, describing it as difficult to adapt to no matter how you look at it.
In response to the criticism, the designer addressed public concerns in a recent interview, but negative opinions persist. Some critics have even speculated that the design might have been better suited for an SUV rather than a pickup truck. This speculation soon inspired virtual renderings, offering a glimpse of what a Tasman SUV could look like and fueling curiosity about whether Kia might explore this concept further.
SUV Design Achieves Natural Harmony
Clever Rear Door Handle Placement
On November 11, two independent renderings of a Tasman SUV surfaced online, showcasing a reimagined version of the pickup truck. YouTuber Theottle, known for his virtual car designs, offered a sleek interpretation. His rendering transforms the Tasman into a genuine SUV with a shortened wheelbase and a new silhouette. While the front design retains the Tasman’s pickup truck elements, the rear undergoes significant changes, including a redesigned rocker panel and smoother integration of second-row windows with the rear quarter glass.
Key details, like the Tasman’s bold wheel arch cladding, remain intact but are cleverly adapted for the SUV format. In Theottle’s vision, the rear wheel arch cladding extends into the second-row doors, and the door handles are uniquely integrated into the cladding for a cohesive and innovative look.
Redesigned Wheel Arch Cladding
One Minor Design Oversight
Russian automotive outlet Kolesa presented a different interpretation of the Tasman SUV. Their rendering blends traditional SUV elements with urban sophistication. One notable change is the body-colored wheel arch cladding, which softens the design’s visual impact and adds a more refined touch. The tailgate area incorporates high-gloss black garnishes, giving the rear a wider and more polished appearance, while the matte black garnish connecting the tail lamps emphasizes toughness.
However, some design elements carried over from the pickup format, such as the rear bumper’s side steps, felt out of place for an SUV and were criticized as a minor oversight.
The SUV version will be challenging to launch
Preparing an alternative
Despite the interest generated by these renderings, an official Tasman SUV remains unlikely. John Buckingham, Kia’s Head of Next Design Exterior, revealed in an October interview with Australian Carsales that Kia Australia had considered an SUV variant during development. However, Kia’s headquarters declined the proposal.
Kia may offer customization options that give the Tasman pickup an SUV-like feel. When unveiling the Tasman, Kia announced plans for accessory options, including a roll bar, sliding cover, and hard top for the cargo area. These upgrades could help bridge the gap for customers seeking a more SUV-oriented appearance. Detailed pricing and specifications for these accessories are expected in March next year.
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