Should Kia's Tasman Pickup Truck Get a Hyundai Twin?

A rival to the likes of the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, and other similarly-sized workhorses, the Kia Tasman is a ladder-frame proposal. This means it can actually cope with Mother Nature, though you'll have to pick a four-wheel-drive model for that, as base versions come with two-wheel-drive. We'd also recommend a set of all-terrain tires, and beyond this, it's your decision of whether you want other off-road-y stuff.

Kia's Tasman comes with a rigid rear axle with springs, a double-wishbone front suspension, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a six-speed manual that's limited to the diesel mill. The latter is a 2.2L unit with 325 lb-ft (441 Nm) of torque and 207 hp (210 ps/154 kW), offered next to the 2.5L gasoline burner. This lump produces 311 lb-ft (421 Nm) and 277 hp (218 ps/207 kW). Elsewhere, customers also get a 5-inch HVAC screen, two 12.3-inch displays, eco-friendly materials, a premium audio system, and other stuff that will make the daily commute more pleasant.

As briefly specified above, the Korean automaker does not seem to intend to launch the Tasman in Europe and North America. Some outlets believe the Old Continent's residents might eventually get this ladder-frame Kia, whereas others suggest it may not happen at all. The same goes for a possible debut in North America, where tariffs would get the best of it. Kia will offer it in Australia, the Middle East, and Africa, and it's very likely that it will stay there for good.

Now, as is often the case with Kia and Hyundai products, both companies tend to launch the same rebranded vehicles, albeit with a few modifications to set them apart. Thus, it's only natural to ask whether the Kia Tasman will eventually get a Hyundai playmate with an updated exterior design and some tweaks made to the cockpit. And while it may be a good question, the answer is quite simple: we don't know. At least not yet, anyway.

Logic tells us that after pouring a huge amount of money into the ladder-frame platform, it's likely that Kia will allow sister brand Hyundai to launch its very own pickup truck. We'd very much like that to happen, and while the Tasman may be limited to Australia, Africa, and the Middle East, Hyundai could launch its twin in Europe and North America, preferably handling the assembly locally.

It's not hard to imagine what a hypothetical Hyundai twin to the Kia Tasman might look like, though the former brand might address the styling issue in a number of ways. In this instance, Theottle used various elements from models such as the Kona and Santa Cruz to come up with a modified Kia Tasman that features Hyundai emblems. The model in question benefits from new front and rear fascias to set itself apart from the Tasman.

The model has a redesigned face with a horizontal LED light bar that stretches from one DRL to the other. The main clusters sit below, flanking the new grille, and the bumper is also new. The pixel master gave it a flatter hood and new lines on the sides that make it look less utilitarian. A full-width light bar dominates the back end, stretching across the entire width of the tailgate. The taillights are larger than on the Tasman, and a tiny Hyundai logo sits above the handle.

The vehicle also features a new rear bumper and has chunkier fender flares. The wheels are the same size, yet they're different. We can also see that this hypothetical model from Hyundai sports more cladding below the doors. For what it's worth, the door handles are also different, and the pickup has a white overall look. The only thing it needs is a proper name, and while we cannot think of one that's worthy of such a ride, we suspect you could.

As a result, why don't you head down to the comments area below and tell us what you would christen a Hyundai workhorse with a ladder frame construction that would be the Kia Tasman's internal playmate? However, before doing so, let us know if you think Hyundai should indeed go down this route by launching a bigger and off-road-ready alternative to the Santa Cruz. We think it would be a great idea, especially if this company brings to our side of the world. That way, it wouldn't cannibalize the Tasman, and we suspect it would sell in plenty of numbers to justify the huge cash injection.

So, would it be a good idea for Hyundai to launch a rebadged version of the Kia Tasman for Western markets?