[RabidRat]

body on frame
gas 2.5L motor: 277hp, 311 tq; only w/ 8AT
diesel 2.2L motor: 207hp, 325tq; std 8AT, optional 6MT
leaf-sprung solid rear axle
locking rear diff
32" water fording


https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/680896-6720e0d99e4af.jpg

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/680897-6720e0d8b478a.jpg

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/680899-6720e0d4c539d.jpg

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/680898-6720e0d52a23c.jpg

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/680884-6720e0c0e2d8d.png

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/680877-6720e0b8117ff.jpg

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/680882-6720e0b941c73.jpg

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/680872-6720e0b992263.jpg

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/680881-6720e0b80d557.jpg

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/680876-6720e0beb8ff0.jpg

[roastpuff]

Kia builds a Gladiator, interesting.

[underscore]

I don't love the styling but the specs sound good. Watch it not be sold here.

[JDMDreams]

Watch it get recalled

[68style]

Side and front 3/4 profiles are sooooo awkward.

Diesel definitely won't get sold here.

[The Producer]

diesel 2.2L motor: 207hp, 325tq; optional 6MT

Potential for me to even remotely consider a Korean vehicle for the first time ever :accepted:

Also knowing it will never come here :rukidding:

[Qmx323]

Why is NA so sparse on diesel options?

Consumer hesitancy? Diesel-gate leaving a bad taste in collective mouths?

[Badhobz]

Tasman ? Isn’t that a bit on the nose to name a car after a geographically area and or a group of native people (Tasmanians)

What’s next ? VW aryan ? BYD Ching Chong ? Rover Genocide with Smallpox Blanket 4x4 package ?

Hey Bob nice new car. What is that ?

A Tasman !!!

Uhhh that’s a bit racist. You’re riding around on an ethnic group ?

…. I wonder if I can get out of this 60 month lease at 12%

[trollface]

Emissions

[underscore]

Tasman ? Isn’t that a bit on the nose to name a car after a geographically area and or a group of native people (Tasmanians)

What’s next ? VW aryan ? BYD Ching Chong ? Rover Genocide with Smallpox Blanket 4x4 package ?

Hey Bob nice new car. What is that ?

A Tasman !!!

Uhhh that’s a bit racist. You’re riding around on an ethnic group ?

…. I wonder if I can get out of this 60 month lease at 12%

VW already did that with the Touareg. Which I think was a bit of a problem for them when it came out the Tuareg had been smuggling weapons or something.

[radeonboy]

Tasman ? Isn’t that a bit on the nose to name a car after a geographically area and or a group of native people (Tasmanians)

What’s next ? VW aryan ? BYD Ching Chong ? Rover Genocide with Smallpox Blanket 4x4 package ?

Hey Bob nice new car. What is that ?

A Tasman !!!

Uhhh that’s a bit racist. You’re riding around on an ethnic group ?

Many truck/SUV models are named after places (Telluride, Palisade, Colorado, Santa Fe, Tacoma etc.), so Tasman follows the same line of though.

At least it's not given an unfortunate name like the Toyota ISIS.

[trollface]

VW names all their stuff after weather

[JDMDreams]

Yes but the Toyota is is doesn't break down and keeps going:lawl: I'm still surprised how strong the Koreans are. You hear so many horror stories, recalls but some how people still want their cars? They don't seem cheap, so it's not like it's Nissan altimas.

[twitchyzero]

while i think it's nice to not just be another bland and safe design
KIA's been doing the edgy thing too much, ever since they changed their logo into K|/|

[68style]

See how their first ever attempt at a frame on body goes… didn’t go well for Toyota many times haha

[SkinnyPupp]

New vehicles are so ugly, so that's not a surprise. Cool specs though. Does anyone even make compact pickups anymore?

[tegra7]

Do these come with the grenading engine feature like most other Kias?

[Badhobz]

VW names all their stuff after weather

Specifically winds. Golf is Gulf Stream.

[Manic!]

Tasman ? Isn’t that a bit on the nose to name a car after a geographically area and or a group of native people (Tasmanians)

What’s next ? VW aryan ? BYD Ching Chong ? Rover Genocide with Smallpox Blanket 4x4 package ?

Hey Bob nice new car. What is that ?

A Tasman !!!

Uhhh that’s a bit racist. You’re riding around on an ethnic group ?

…. I wonder if I can get out of this 60 month lease at 12%

Maybe it was named after this guy:

Abel Tasman is officially recognised as the first European to 'discover' New Zealand in 1642. His men were the first Europeans to have a confirmed encounter with Māori.

[red kryptonite]

the front is so ugly, side is ok, every other angle is not good. interior door handles are cool

[inv4zn]

See how their first ever attempt at a frame on body goes… didn’t go well for Toyota many times haha

Kia has a KDM model called the Mohave/Borrego, and it's a body on frame. It's a terrible car but has a bit of a following, so it's not really their first Rodeo.

[jpark]

the first gen sorento, and first gen sportage was body on frame too

[hud 91gt]

First one to bring a diesel gets my paycheque. Lol.

[whitev70r]

VW already did that with the Touareg. Which I think was a bit of a problem for them when it came out the Tuareg had been smuggling weapons or something.

Speaking of ... 2016 Toureg Diesel, tuned to >300hp

https://www.facebook.com/share/GaoQxJ2NVDzMvP2a/

I also see some Audi Q5 Diesel out there like this:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1eZZuaKVksmgAXPS/

[JDMDreams]

I thought modern diesels are shit cuz of all the emissions and def stuff. And parts are $$$ + have to find a shop to touch it. Also unless you are driving like 100+ km a day there's no savings + cost of diesel is more than gas.

[hud 91gt]

The price of diesel fluctuates above and below. The DEF systems can be problematic down the road, but deleting the system is always an option in the end. But going from 15mpg to 25-30 in a big vehicle definitely is a huge positive in my mind even if not overall logical. Pulling torque is also a big benefit. Some manufacturers have figured out how to use small turbo engines to get good MPG, but towing can’t be great.

[underscore]

I just like having really good fuel economy and gobs of power, even though I have no real use for either.

[RabidRat]

the front is so ugly, side is ok, every other angle is not good. interior door handles are cool

:lol I wish I could pay you to review everything. Cars, TVs, women,

Getting right to the goddamn point. Everything I need to know, nothing I don't. Not even a period at the end

[red kryptonite]

i try my best :thumbs:

[JDMDreams]

Sounds like you need a Tesla :pokerface:

I just like having really good fuel economy and gobs of power, even though I have no real use for either.

[dark0821]

Man, we have the the cousin Santa Cruz, but unfortunately not the diesel powertrain nor the manual lolol~

It is practically useless though, its like a 5ft bed, doesn't fit shit, its for the customers that want the Truck Lifestyle but not the Truck Life. With reasonable fuel economy and easy parking because its small ~~~

https://www.hyundaicanada.com/-/media/hyundai/showroom/2025/santa-cruz/full_bleed_tech/updates_sept24/tech-fb-d.jpg

https://www.hyundaicanada.com/-/media/hyundai/showroom/2025/santa-cruz/full_bleed_safety/update_sept24/safety-fb-d.jpg

https://www.hyundaicanada.com/-/media/hyundai/showroom/2025/santa-cruz/interior_gallery/expanded/desktopxl/img_006.jpg

[AstulzerRZD]

The price of diesel fluctuates above and below. The DEF systems can be problematic down the road, but deleting the system is always an option in the end. But going from 15mpg to 25-30 in a big vehicle definitely is a huge positive in my mind even if not overall logical. Pulling torque is also a big benefit. Some manufacturers have figured out how to use small turbo engines to get good MPG, but towing canÂ’t be great.

As small/medium biz truck buyer, this feels very yesterday because...

For 25MPG, Ford Powerboost already does this.
For cost savings, it's null with the diesel.

Cost comes out to:
1) F150 5.0: $44/100km towing, $32/100km normal
2) Maverick: $20/100km towing, $10 normal
3) Lightning: $3 towing, $2 otherwise

Worst case scenario, Silverado EV gets 360km towing range AND only takes 20 minutes to get you another 170km of big trailer highway towing.
Surburban speeds with good aero; 500km easy and 20 mins charge gets 300km.

[JDMDreams]

Isn't that the same as the maverick. How many truck buyers actually have shit in the bed on a daily basis.

[AstulzerRZD]

I think this truck's going after the ranger/gladiator/tacoma bros who want something rugged/offroady more than it is the Maverick

[hud 91gt]

As small/medium biz truck buyer, this feels very yesterday because...

For 25MPG, Ford Powerboost already does this.
For cost savings, it's null with the diesel.

Cost comes out to:
1) F150 5.0: $44/100km towing, $32/100km normal
2) Maverick: $20/100km towing, $10 normal
3) Lightning: $3 towing, $2 otherwise

Worst case scenario, Silverado EV gets 360km towing range AND only takes 20 minutes to get you another 170km of big trailer highway towing.
Surburban speeds with good aero; 500km easy and 20 mins charge gets 300km.
Where are your $ values coming from? Maverick $20 for 100km of towing? That’s like 12L/100km and 6.5L normal? Maybe the hybrid? But the hybrid barely tows.

The F150 has the most impressive stats in their eco boost engines, but when the vehicles get smaller there doesn’t seem to be any improvements.

[JDMDreams]

Just get a kei truck as a beater

[AstulzerRZD]

Where are your $ values coming from? Maverick $20 for 100km of towing? That’s like 12L/100km and 6.5L normal? Maybe the hybrid? But the hybrid barely tows.

The F150 has the most impressive stats in their eco boost engines, but when the vehicles get smaller there doesn’t seem to be any improvements.

We got 10-11 ish towing a 2000lb utility trailer on Maverick Hybrid. 2025 now rated for 4k lbs which is enough for small camper/dual axle trailer.
These BoF trucks all need a ton of energy to move them; not rly a surprise the Tacoma/Ranger gets same or worse fuel economy.

Low key unless you're doing 1200km a day towing a massive trailer at 130kmh, the new EV trucks are enough.

[hud 91gt]

I take it back.

If they tossed the little diesel into this thing it’s the perfect vehicle for me.

Configurable for camper life, configurable for hauling, 4x4, kinda awesome, kinda uggly, should be economical.

https://driving.ca/auto-news/entertainment/kia-reveals-wild-ev9-and-pv5-high-tech-off-road-concepts