With lower-than-expected sales in Australia, Kia's pickup sparks debates about disruptive aesthetics and gains projection inspired by the Telluride
The Kia Tasman has arrived in the global market, with an initial focus on Australia. But initial sales are lower than expected, and the reason seems to be unanimous among experts and consumers: its disruptive look. In a segment that values traditional robustness, the brand’s aesthetic choices were considered controversial, causing Kia’s midsize pickup to face an acceptance barrier.
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The Kia Tasman’s design divided opinions by featuring elements such as square plastic fenders, reduced headlights and a peculiar frieze on the hood that many nicknamed “horn”. Kia’s attempt to “break the mold” resulted in a product that the traditional pickup truck market still struggles to accept.
With the repercussion, rumors of an early restyling emerged, but Kia officially denied any immediate visual change. In this scenario, digital artist Theophilus Chin proposed an alternative that went viral on social media. The artist’s project uses the visual identity of the Telluride SUV, widely praised for its refined lines. Named after the historic name Mohave, the projection replaces the experimental aesthetic with vertical LED headlights and soft side panels.
Despite the turbulent start, Kia has not given up on the project and is now focusing on technical superiority to compensate for the aesthetic criticism. The schedule for the next few years includes the launch of a hybrid Kia Tasman and a variant aimed at extreme off-roading, based on the Weekender concept.
