Kia’s Rugged New SUV Could Take on Ford Everest & 4Runner

Kia is not simply dipping their toes in off-roading, they are making big strides. Following the debut of the Tasman pickup truck in late 2024, Kia may be preparing to scale an even bigger mountain, (quite literally), generating a full-blown SUV off of the Tasman's tough-as-nails chassis.  Something that could stand alongside the Ford Everest, Toyota Prado, or even the 4Runner. The exciting thing here is that Kia isn't just launching another SUV into the market, but their SUV is reportedly going to be built on a body-on-frame platform just like some of the big boys, as previously noted, and axis SUVs are less likely to employ this simpler construction principle, which is more aligned with hard-core off-roaders or light commercial vehicles.  This is a surprising move for a company mostly known for the stylish city SUVs like the Sportage and the family-friendly Telluride.  If this Tasman based SUV is produced, this would be an obvious course of action for Kia, appealing to buyers with various adventures, towing power, and off-road capability without the loss of comfort and technology. It is understood that while there has been no official confirmation of the SUV launch by Kia, the company in Australia continues powering the push for this vehicle while it is at the forefront of the industry.

From Utes to SUVs: What the Tasman Pickup Tells Us

Kia's Tasman pickup truck was already a surprise when revealed to the world. The Tasman was mostly conceived for markets like Australia and South Africa (possibly the Middle East), and built in such a way to provide the user with an exceptionally functional capability in tough terrain. It is not just a 'first attempt' type of truck, as the Tasman is very well specced as a vehicle. The Tasman is powered by a 2.2-L turbo-diesel and a 2.5-L petrol engine. Both are able to handle up to 3,500 kg of towing, and more than enough for a caravan, trailer or small boat. Its level of capability, in addition with a payload of almost 1,000 kg, puts Kia in a way to be taken very serious by outdoors people, tradies, and overlanders. The design is also quite thankfully bold - not just another cookie-cutter Hilux or Ranger. That's capacity in specs and featuresiate shows that if Kia chooses to build an SUV on the same platform, we can very much expect a truck that tows with capacity, off-roads seriously and is able to carry load quite comfortably.

What Makes This SUV Different From the Telluride?

So what would be the purpose of Kia developing a second large SUV when the Telluride already exists and is hugely popular? So, to answer your question, the only real difference is with the platform and the intention of the SUV. The Telluride is a car-based unibody chassis. It’s designed for cruising on highways and everyday family comfort—avoid crawling rocks and ripping through muddy trails. A Tasman-based SUV would be on a ladder-frame chassis like a traditional pickup truck or hardcore off-roader. This makes a critical difference in terms of performance and durability in rough terrain. You'd likely encounter low range gearing, terrain management systems, and suspension tuned for rugged trails. In short, this SUV would not just be a bigger Telluride but a beefier, trail-ready, get-your-ATV-out-into-the-wild type vehicle. And the coolest part is that it would still be able to retain the premium tech and design language Kia has become known for. Just picture the interior comforts of a Telluride with the brawn of a Toyota Land Cruiser. I mean, it's a game-changing combination you don't see every day and it would definitely raise eyebrows and rattle the ground beneath the feet of the SUV segment (especially in the U.S.).

Could This Be the Ford Bronco or Toyota 4Runner Killer?

It sounds outrageous, but not absurd. The Ford Bronco and the Toyota 4Runner lead the pack of rugged SUVs because they combine classic strength with modern style. However, time is not kind to those platforms. The 4Runner has not had a complete redesign in more than 10 years (there is one coming!), and while the Bronco is new and flashy, it still carries a heavy price tag and is not universally built for everyone. Kia could step in to fill the void with something just as capable if it is both accessible in price, reliable, and features. If Kia can deliver an efficient rugged 4x4, with multiple engine offerings, good fuel consumption, smart packaging, and the typical Kia value-for-money approach, it could certainly bring plenty of off-road and family customers to it. Kia also has a strong track record with the Telluride surprising everyone and taking over the SUV market—imagine they can pull the same rabbit out of a hat in the off-road market.

Interior Comfort Meets Off-Road Might

The prospect of combining rugged capability with absolute luxury in a Kia SUV is very exciting. In other words, envision a vehicle that can tackle the toughest mountain climb, but still keeps you cool and comfy with heater seats, ambient lighting, and a cockpit with an all-digital display. Kia has already demonstrated its ability to build beautiful interiors in the Telluride and the EV9, and with the potential to do the same for a body-on-frame SUV, this could be a game-changer. We would expect to see a full-length touchscreen display, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, fully automated driver assist like adaptive cruise control, and plenty of USB-C ports to keep everything charged for your weekend adventures. At the same time, expect durability; rubberized flooring, fabric options, waterproof upholstery options, and a cargo storage area large enough to store your gear for the weekend.  It could have the attractively rugged aesthetic combined with high-quality luxury that would allow it to compete with vehicles like the Land Rover Defender or even luxury model trims of the Wrangler and Bronco. If you're an American driver who wants more than just a perfunctory trail machine, Kia's offering could be the sweet spot.

Will It Ever Hit American Roads?

Now for the real talk. Will we see this Tasman-based SUV in the U.S.A? The official answer is: Not at this time, but maybe. Right now, Kia has said the Tasman pickup truck is not coming to North America, as it intends to target markets like Australia, South Africa and maybe the Middle East. However, Kia also indicated that they are looking at the U.S. pickup market and considering options for an American specific model. This is good news, because if they build a U.S. pickup, the likelihood of a U.S. friendly SUV based off that same platform becomes very real. American buyers like SUVs, especially those that can tow, haul, and do off-road by going over curbs and down private roads. So even if we do not see this exact Tasman-based SUV, we may see something similar with a U.S. spin. Ultimately, Kia knows that an American buyer can be a great buyer, and increasingly there is a demand for rugged, affordable, well-equipped SUV's in this space. Don't be surprised if Kia tests the waters here soon—with something that bears a different name but contains the DNA of the Tasman.

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Source(Image / Thumbnail): carscoops