Kia may release a competitor to the Land Cruiser Prado based on the Tasman pickup truck

The South Korean car manufacturer Kia, after the high-profile debut of its Tasman frame pickup, is not stopping there and is considering the possibility of expanding the model range. Namely, the creation of a frame SUV based on the Tasman, which should compete with the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.

EntranceKia Tasmanto the market in early 2025 became a real sensation. The pickup truck, designed with both commercial use and recreational needs in mind, immediately attracted attention with its rugged design and powerful features. Tasman is currently offered with two powertrains:

• 2.5-liter T-GDi gasoline turbo engine - this engine produces 281 horsepower and 421 Nm of torque, providing the pickup truck with excellent dynamics and traction.
• 2.2-liter CRDi turbodiesel - this unit offers 210 horsepower and a significant torque of 441 Nm, making it an ideal choice for heavy-duty and off-road applications.

Both engines are mated to a modern 8-speed automatic transmission that provides smooth and quick gear changes. Buyers are offered a choice between rear (2WD) and all-wheel (4WD) drive, the latter of which is equipped with a reduction gear and differential lock, which greatly expands the Tasman's off-road capabilities.

Photo of an SUV based on the Kia Tasman

If the Tasman is successful in the market, a frame SUV based on it is quite possible. Independent designers have already actively taken up the visualization of this idea, presenting their renderings showing the potential appearance of the future Prado competitor.

In their images, Kia's new frame SUV retains much of the rugged exterior of the original pickup, especially the front end with its distinctive grille and powerful headlights. However, instead of an open cargo compartment, there is a closed body of a classic SUV.

Some renderings also show increased ground clearance, powerful wheel arches and large wheels with aggressive off-road tread, emphasizing its off-road potential.

Will the Kia Tasman in the SUV version be able to compete with such a powerful player as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado? For now, this remains an open question. However, given the good technical characteristics of the pickup, as well as the potentially more attractive price policy of Kia, the frame SUV of this brand has every chance to win its market share.