Korean car brand, Kia, is no stranger to pickup trucks. The Tasman, its first-ever entry in the segment, has been out on sale since Q4 last year. But the model received mixed reactions. Now, it seems the brand is on the road to accelerating the update to the Tasman, with design cues inspired by the Kia Tasman WKNDR (Weekender) Concept it unveiled in April this year.
According to Australian media outlet Drive, which had the chance to talk to Dong Hoon Kang, Kia’s Vice President of Mid-Large-Sized Vehicle Chassis Engineering Design Center, the Weekender was initially introduced as a design study. However, the Weekender’s stronger reception during its reveal, compared to the production model Tasman, has prompted Kia to consider making changes sooner than expected. The Weekender featured a revised front fascia with a slimmer upper grille, a sizable lower front bumper, and an overall more rugged presence – elements that resonated well with off-road enthusiasts.
The executive said that the Weekender has even gained serious attention within the company, sharing that after finalizing its design and presenting it to the board, they liked it to the point of suggesting that an earlier than usual refresh to the Tasman, inspired by the Weekender, is possible, and in fact, encouraged.
However, Kang pointed out that Kia is not yet committing to an immediate exterior overhaul. He clarified that the brand is still monitoring customer response before making any major styling revisions. This could mean that any updates at this point will most likely be a special edition or a styling pack, not a full model redesign. He further noted that bringing the Weekender’s features into production isn’t as simple as tweaking body panels. The design would require adjustments to the ride height and other exterior components to match its off-road focus, a serious engineering task.
The timing of this development is notable as the Tasman’s early sales in Australia were reported to be slower than expected. In its first three months, the pickup reached only about half of Kia’s 10,0000-unit sales goal for the year. In fact, the region’s Tasman X-Line variant has already been discounted and packaged as a “Sports Pack,” which comes with freebies such as a sports bar, tonneau cover, and side steps.
With growing interest in the Weekender’s design and Kia’s willingness to adapt, the Tasman’s next chapter may arrive sooner rather than later, potentially giving the brand’s pickup a stronger, more confident identity, on or off the road.
