Could We See an SUV Version of the Kia Tasman Ute in the Future?

With the highly anticipated release of the 2025 Kia Tasman ute, fans and industry watchers alike are beginning to wonder: could a Tasman-based SUV be on the horizon? Kia Australia executives hint that while it's not currently in development, an SUV version is not entirely off the table – but it would need global support to become a reality.

According to Roland Rivero, Kia Australia’s General Manager of Product Planning, a strong business case involving multiple international markets, such as the Middle East and South Korea, would be essential. “It can’t just be that Australia would love to have one because Everest does well, for example,” he explained. The popular Ford Everest, based on the Ranger ute, demonstrates a successful model for such an SUV. In fact, the Everest ranks as Australia’s third-best-selling SUV in 2024, with over 21,000 units sold, trailing only the Toyota RAV4 and Mitsubishi Outlander.

The potential for a Tasman-based SUV could position Kia to rival established ute-based SUVs, like the Isuzu MU-X and Ford Everest, both of which have found substantial success in the Australian market. Illustrations by designer Theottle have offered a sneak peek at what a Tasman SUV might look like, further fueling excitement around the idea.

Yet, while Rivero acknowledges the allure of a Tasman-based SUV, he remains focused on first establishing the Tasman ute’s reputation in Australia’s competitive segment. “Anything is possible, but at this point in time, let’s just get the focus and the ute side of things done first,” he noted. However, he didn’t completely close the door on future possibilities, adding, “We’ll explore what can be done in the future. If Australia had a choice, we’d definitely have our hand up for it.”

As Kia strengthens its stance in the ute market, enthusiasts can hold out hope that, with enough global demand, the Tasman-based SUV could someday become a reality. While nothing is set in stone, the message from Kia is clear: never say never.