Kia Australia Eyes New Three-Row SUV Based on Tasman Ute

Kia Australia has made it clear that it’s eager to expand its lineup with a rugged, family-friendly, three-row SUV, potentially based on the new-generation Tasman ute. The dual-cab pickup truck was just unveiled, but Kia’s senior management team has been discussing its potential for years.

Kia Australia’s general manager of product planning, Roland Rivero, expressed the brand's interest in adapting the Tasman’s underpinnings for a more family-focused SUV. “We’ve been pretty vocal,” Rivero commented, referring to the brand’s desire to create an SUV similar to models like the Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, and Isuzu MU-X. This move would see a more adventurous vehicle sit alongside the Sorento seven-seater, expanding the brand’s presence in the highly competitive mid-sized SUV market.

The current demand for rugged, three-row SUVs in Australia has not gone unnoticed by Kia. Rivero cited the success of models like the Ford Everest, which has gained popularity for its combination of rugged off-road capability and family-friendly features. The potential for a Kia SUV based on the Tasman ute is something that has been discussed internally, and Rivero emphasized that if the vehicle were to be developed globally, Kia Australia would be first in line to bring it to local showrooms.

However, decisions on new models are rarely made in isolation. Global markets and collective regional input play a significant role in the brand’s development strategy. “We would need the collective regions to also want it,” Rivero acknowledged. Despite this, Kia Australia’s enthusiasm for such a vehicle is undeniable.

While Kia has previously offered the Mojave, a ladder-frame model, in select markets, it has never been built in right-hand drive, limiting its availability in Australia. The new Tasman ute, however, is designed with global markets in mind and comes with a more modern version of the 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine from the Sorento.

The engine produces 154kW and 441Nm of torque, which is less than some of its competitors, but Kia has enhanced the Tasman’s transmission cooling and gearbox calibration to ensure it can handle up to 3500kg of braked towing capacity and a payload of over 1000kg for all models at launch.

With the Tasman’s rugged design and impressive capabilities, it seems only a matter of time before Kia Australia gets its wish for a three-row SUV based on this ute platform. Stay tuned as Kia continues to expand its lineup and potentially introduces a new contender in the growing three-row SUV market.