1 week ago
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When it comes to an SUV version of the new Kia Tasman ute, never say never.
Family Cars
An SUV based on the 2025 Kia Tasman ute may be possible in the future, provided there is a global business case to support such a model.
Speaking to Drive, executives from Kia said there would need to be support from other markets such as the Middle East and South Korea for a Tasman-based SUV to become a reality.
"There would have to be a good global business case for it. It can't just be Australia would love to have one because Everest does well, for example," Kia Australia General Manager of Product Planning Roland Rivero said.
"I wouldn't say never, but at this point in time, it's not on the cards."
However, Mr Rivero stopped short of ruling out a Tasman SUV entirely.
"Anything is possible, but at this point in time, let's just get the focus and the ute side of things done first – make our mark in the segment with that, and who knows," he said.
The Ranger-based Everest has been a sales success for Ford, being the third-highest-selling SUV in Australia in 2024 so far – with more than 21,000 sales – with only the Toyota RAV4 and Mitsubishi Outlander sitting ahead of it.
Also in the Top Ten best-selling SUVs this year is the Isuzu MU-X, based on the D-Max ute.
These digital illustrations by artist Theottle provide a glimpse of what a Tasman SUV could look like (top and middle).
"We'll explore what can be done in the future. We'd definitely love to have one, we've been quite vocal," Mr Rivero told Drive.
"If Australia had a choice, we'd definitely have our hand up for it, but the global business case has to work out," he added.
Should Kia make a Tasman SUV? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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Ben Zachariah is an experienced writer and motoring journalist from Melbourne, having worked in the automotive industry for more than two decades. Ben began writing professionally more than 15 years ago and was previously an interstate truck driver. He completed his MBA in Finance in early 2021 and is considered an expert on classic car investment.
