- Kia is working on a fix for the Tasman’s controversial looks.
- The company rules out an early facelift for the midsize truck.
- A possible solution could be styling-focused accessories.
The Kia Tasman’s divisive looks have dominated the conversation since the truck broke cover, and soft sales in Australia have only turned up the volume. Kia has already resorted to price cuts to improve the situation, and now executives are saying out loud what buyers have been thinking: the styling needs work.
More: Will Kia’s Tasman Accessories Make You Forget Its Odd Looks?
Roland Rivero, General Manager for Product Planning and Training at Kia Australia, told local outlet Drive that something is in the pipeline: “There are a couple of ideas that we have looked at, just watch this space.”
No Quick Fix Coming
However, anyone counting on a rushed facelift should let that hope go. “Any rumors of a fast-tracked facelift, we want to squash that now,” Rivero said. “The product life cycle is a product life cycle – facelifts are scheduled accordingly. What you see on the roads today with Tasman is going to be with us for another couple of years yet. Having said that, we’re not just going to kick back and relax.”
These comments come on the heels of similar statements by Spence Cho, Head of Global Sales at Kia. Speaking to Australian media, Cho said: “We will provide the countermeasures for the coming years, and also we will have other powertrain choices if we can, and also another design changes or improvement.”
More: Kia Tasman Embraces Its Wild Side With Serious Off Road Gear
Read between the lines and the near-term fix looks like a bigger accessory catalog focused at the exterior. The clearest preview is the Kia Tasman Weekender concept from the 2025 Seoul Motor Show, which wrapped the midsize truck in a redesigned bodykit and a more rugged stance.
The most notable upgrades proposed by the concept are the massive skid plate on the front bumper, the slimmer grille, and the body-colored fenders that cover part of the headlights. It also came fitted with a futuristic roof rack that extends into the bed rack, a custom rear bumper, and a military-style matte beige finish for the bodywork with lime green accents.
More: I Finally Made Kia’s Tasman Stop Looking Like Sid From Ice Age
I recently put together my own “correction kit” for the Tasman, with redesigned fenders, extra body-colored trim, and auxiliary LEDs mounted in the grille. Kia could do much the same, either as dealer-installed accessories or as a special edition built to draw fresh interest.
We should learn more about these “countermeasures” before long. Until then, Tasman owners can cover up their trucks with parts from aftermarket firms like AR.
