Kia Middle East & Africa has launched the Tasman, its first pick-up, in the UAE market.
During an event titled the UAE Tasman Roadshow, held at A1 SPACE in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, invited guests, including media, customers, and pickup enthusiasts, were given a first-hand look at Kia’s entry into the pickup truck segment.
“Why a pickup and why now?… Our customers. We knew there was one segment that needed more capability and flexibility. The Tasman opens us up to an entirely new set of customers,” Kia Middle East & Africa‘s Ahmed Soudodi told the media about the new Tasman.
Engineered to set new standards, the Tasman combines robust durability with state-of-the-art technology and SUV-level comfort, says the company.
Built upon 20 years of rigorous research and extensive off-road expertise, the vehicle is designed to perform reliably in diverse environments, balancing rugged capability with everyday practicality.
In line with Kia’s Opposites United design philosophy, the Tasman offers industry-first factory-backed customisation.
Customers can choose from 12 OEM customisation packages, nine distinct exterior colours, and four interior packages, including Espresso Brown and Terracotta Brown, ensuring a highly personalised experience tailored to adventurers, professionals, and families alike.
The roadshow also highlighted the Tasman’s cutting-edge technological features such as Kia Connect Car Services, offering more than 50 advanced smart functions aimed at enhancing safety and convenience. The Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA), Over-the-Air (OTA) updates, and a premium Harman/Kardon sound system further enrich the driving experience.
Designed for high performance, the Tasman boasts impressive off-road credentials, including a notable 252mm ground clearance and a segment-leading 32-degree approach angle in its X-Pro variant. Capable of carrying payloads of up to 1,195kg and towing up to 3.5 tonnes, the Tasman has passed rigorous testing—including 1,777 trials over 18,000 cycles of diverse conditions—to ensure reliability and durability.
Sustainability remains a key focus, with the Tasman featuring bio-plastics, recycled PET fabric, and eco-friendly paint solutions in its interior construction.
Available powertrains for the Tasman include a 2.5L turbocharged gasoline engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a 2.2L turbocharged diesel engine available with either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Scheduled for release across the Middle East region from August this year, the Kia Tasman will start at an MSRP of AED 118,290 for the Base LX 2WD model, with the high-end X-Pro+ variant priced at AED 178,090.
