Kia’s Ford Bronco Rival Looks Less Likely Than Ever

The Missing Tasman Twin

In the automotive industry, it's common for pickup trucks and SUVs to share much of their hardware, as seen with Ford's F-150 and Expedition. That's why many wondered whether Kia would eventually introduce an SUV counterpart to the Tasman, its quirky-looking midsize pickup truck sold in markets such as Australia.

Last year, Kia expressed interest in developing a Tasman-based SUV. However, a new report from Australia's Drive suggests the potential three-row version won't be happening anytime soon. One factor is the Tasman's underwhelming sales since its introduction in 2025.

A Rough First Lap

The Korean marque hoped to sell 20,000 Tasman units annually in Australia, but managed just 399 deliveries in March 2026, leaving regional rivals like the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger largely unaffected.

Another factor is the current state of Kia's SUV lineup, with the report saying, “Kia already builds enough SUVs for its factories and dealers to manage.” The automaker already offers a 7-seater with the Sorento, while the Sportage and Seltos serve as smaller alternatives. Its all-electric lineup also gives buyers more options.

To be fair, the Sorento is essentially a crossover, meaning it is built on a unibody platform and not on a ladder-frame chassis like the Tasman. But if Kia's reasoning is any indication, a Tasman-based SUV could end up saturating the brand's SUV lineup.

Spencer Cho, Kia's head of global business planning, acknowledged that adding a new model would give buyers more choices, but such a strategy does not always work. Instead, Cho pointed to improving the current lineup, saying, “So instead of adding another model line, we try to focus on the product improvement, and also to improve our competitiveness – what we have in our hands right now.”

Bronco Territory Beckons

If Kia somehow delivers a Tasman-based SUV, it would enter the same space as the Ford Bronco, Toyota 4Runner, and Jeep Wrangler. Such a configuration could also spare it from the Chicken Tax that applies to imported pickup trucks, one reason models like the Toyota HiLux are not sold in the U.S. However, it could still face separate import tariffs introduced under the current administration.

Nevertheless, Kia will still expand its ladder-frame chassis lineup in the U.S. with a new midsize pickup truck. Expected to be offered with hybrid and range-extender powertrains, the new truck could arrive before the end of this decade.

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