Kia Tasman in Brazil: the brand’s first pickup has a defined debut and engine; see estimated price

Amid plans to open a factory in Brazil, Kia confirmed the arrival of Tasman in the country for the second half of 2026. The first medium pickup ever made by the South Korean brand is in the homologation and adaptation phase to local use and arrives to face Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Chevrolet S10 and Volkswagen Amarok in one of the most profitable segments in the national market.

With the debut, Kia will enter the midsize pickup category in the country for the first time, currently dominated by diesel models. According to the manufacturer, the Brazilian driver should receive precisely the turbodiesel configuration, the favorite in the segment and the same mechanical family that already equips the Sorento SUV, recently relaunched here.

The Kia Tasman

The Tasman in October 2024, named after the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand. Produced in South Korea, the pickup debuted in the Korean market in the first half of 2025 and arrived in Australia in July of the same year.

With straight lines and vertical headlights, the pickup bets on a robust silhouette that divides opinions and seeks to stand out from more conventional rivals. Inside, the Tasman features a set of three screens — two 12.3″ monitors and a 5″ panel for climate control — in addition to a reclining rear seat between 22º and 30º, a 33-liter compartment under the rear seat, two induction cell phone chargers and a retractable table on the console.

Under the hood, the version expected for Brazil features the 2.2 turbodiesel four-cylinder engine, with common-rail direct injection. The set yields about 210 hp and 45,0 kgfm, associated with an eight-speed automatic transmission and 4×4 traction with reduced and differential lock. The pickup goes from 0 to 100 km/h in around 10.4 seconds and has an immersion capacity of up to 80 cm.

The Tasman measures 5.41 m long, 1.93 m wide and between 1.87 m and 1.92 m high, with a wheelbase of 3.27 m. The bucket holds 1,173 liters — one of the largest in the segment — and the towing capacity reaches 3,500 kg. Abroad, the line is offered in S, SX, SX+, X-Line and X-Pro versions, the latter aimed at off-road use, with ground clearance of 25.2 cm and 17-inch wheels.

Brazilian prices have not yet been disclosed, but it is possible to estimate them by proportion. Thus, depending on the versions that Kia chooses for Brazil, it is expected that the Tasman will debut with a price ranging between R$ 240.000 and R$ 360.000, approximately.

Kia’s future in Brazil may change hands

Tasman’s arrival comes at an important time for Kia’s operation in the country. In an interview with AutoPapo, the brand’s representative and exclusive importer, José Luiz Gandini, confirmed that there are negotiations to transfer Kia’s command to the South Korean headquarters.

According to the businessman, the parent company is negotiating with the federal government to forgive a billionaire debt inherited from the Asia Motors case, from the 1990s – a liability that, according to the Superior Court of Justice, reached around R$ 6 billion in 2023.

If the pardon materializes, Gandini says that he will deliver the import to the Koreans and will only act as a concessionaire. AutoPapo also found that there is the possibility of Kia building a factory in Brazil, next to the Hyundai plant in Piracicaba (SP).