This is just the beginning: 2025 Kia Tasman will be followed by a second all-new ute that is just around the corner: Reports

The Kia Tasman is just the beginning of the brand's ute story, with credible outlets reporting a second all-new model will be joining the diesel dual-cab from as early as 2026.

The Kia Tasman is expected to launch in Australia within the first six months of 2025 and should – at least at launch – be powered exclusively by a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine good for around 148kW and 440Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic or manual gearbox.

But that will be just the first salvo in Kia's war on the existing ute market, with US outlet Automotive News reporting an all-electric ute will follow as early as 2026.

That's the earliest possibility, with the outlet forecasting that could blow out to 2029. American examples of the electric truck are expected to be built at Hyundai's under-construction facility in Savannah, Georgia.

That would mean something of an early mark for the electric ute, which Kia has already confirmed, with the brand issuing a press release following the 2022 Investor Forum that hinted at a Tasman EV ute forming part of the company's 14-strong EV line-up by 2027.

"Kia will add two electric pick-up trucks – a dedicated electric pick-up truck and a strategic model for emerging markets...," the report stated.

And while the Tasman, which is unlikely to appear in the USA, is focused on markets where utes are genuine workhorses, the US-inspired electric truck is expected to deliver a more luxurious interior and smoother drive."

"Kia's primary focus is upgrading its factories to produce electric vehicles," Stephanie Brinley, an automotive analyst at S&P Global Mobility, told Automotive News.

"Trucks in the USA must meet different on- and off-road performance expectations and different materials are used in the suspension and seats for ride comfort, and the cabin is outfitted for sound deadening.

Kia Tasman

Interestingly, reports have pointed to the "Tasman Electric" not sharing its underpinnings with the ladder-frame ute that will launch here next year. Instead, it could be jointly developed with the successor to the Hyundai Santa Cruz and ride on a car-like monocoque platform.

TheKoreanCarBlog has the scoop, and says a driving range of around 500km is the target, with the ute to potentially borrow its battery from the Kia EV9, meaning a pack of around 100kWh in size.