Kia Tasman still isn’t coming to U.S., and it’s a damn shame

Back in April, we wrote about the upcoming 2025 Kia Tasman and that fact that it wasn’t likely to make it to the U.S. Now that the truck has been officially revealed, we have news for you: It still isn’t coming to the U.S.

And you should be sad about that. This is a damn cool truck.

What’s so cool about the 2025 Kia Tasman?

First, you have the edgy but not crazy design. The blocky façade makes me think of Lego building blocks. And the practical features like bed steps, under-seat storage, bed illumination, sliding cargo floor and power outlets in the bed make this great for work and fun. Plus, the available bed dividers and camping accessories give customers the ability to build out the truck the way they’ll use it.

Second, we were right about it being a body-on-frame midsize truck. So, it’s meant to tackle rugged terrain. But the interior is going to be just as tech forward as other vehicles in the Kia lineup with large display screens, highway drive assist functionality, Harmon Kardon premium audio and dual wireless chargers as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It has a manual transmission option

Now that the Jeep Gladiator has ditched the manual transmission for 2025, the Toyota Tacoma is the only pickup truck in the U.S. that offers a manual transmission option. The 2025 Kia Tasman will offer a 6-speed manual paired with a 207-horsepower, 2.2-liter diesel engine, depending on the market, and that sounds like a dream combo to us. There will also be an 8-speed automatic available with this engine. The other powertrain is a 277-horsepower, 2.5-liter engine mated to an 8-speed automatic.

Where will the 2025 Kia Tasman be sold?

The 2025 Kia Tasman will launch in the Korean domestic market in the first half of 2025. Then it will roll out to Australia, Africa and the Middle East. So, why can’t we have nice things in the U.S.? Well, blame the “Chicken Tax,” which dates back to the 1960s and levies high tariffs on imported pickup trucks.

Therefore, In order for the Kia Tasman to be sold in the U.S., it would have to be built in the U.S. We’re not saying that will never happen. But it’s not likely to ever happen.

The bottom line

While we certainly want more things to be built in the U.S., we’re a little sad about the forbidden fruit – like the Kia Tasman and VW Amarok – that are continually dangled in our collective face. Sigh.

So, what do you think about the 2025 Kia Tasman? Is this something you’d want if they did bring it to the U.S.?

2025 Kia Tasman photo gallery