Kia has confirmed it's making its first midsize pickup truck for America
- Kia planning a US-specific pickup, separate from the Tasman
- It might be electric, and it will be built in the US
- Launch expected between 2026 and 2029
Published on Apr 07, 2025 at 6:52 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Apr 07, 2025 at 5:50 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Kia has announced it is planning a midsized pickup truck, specifically for the American market.
And no, it’s not the Tasman. The firm has already ruled out bringing that vehicle to the US.
But it has just confirmed it is planning a new vehicle, designed with the US market in mind.
The car will almost certainly be produced in the US and there are rumors it might be an EV.
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The Kia Tasman is not coming to America
Kia’s Tasman is already heading to automotive markets in the likes of Australia, Korea, and the Middle East.
It’s big, rugged, and built for off-roading, but it’s not coming to the US.
Kia’s CEO has made that crystal clear; instead, Americans are getting their own pickup.
A completely different model is now said to be in development, designed to go head-to-head with popular midsize trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger.
As yet, we don’t know much about the truck, but a formal announcement, including more details, is expected to be made during Kia’s Investor Day on April, 9.
“We’re going to have more details next week about the pickup for the US,” Kia CEO Ho Sung Song said.
“But in general terms … we are studying now.”
Its rumored it could be an EV
Kia hasn’t confirmed the powertrain yet, but it has been rumored that it could be an all-electric.
Although we’re set to find out more details later this week, it’s been suggested that the truck could be unveiled between 2026 and 2029.
There’s also talk that it might be announced alongside a Hyundai-badged sibling.
As such, it’s expected that the new vehicle will be built in the US at Hyundai’s Metaplant America in Georgia.
But, as nothing is yet confirmed, there’s plenty of rumor and speculation flying around.
There’s even talk of a possible deal with GM to create internal combustion versions based on the
Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. That sounds unlikely, but in the auto world, anything is possible.
Kia pickup could rival Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger
The American midsize pickup scene is already packed; Toyota, Ford, Chevy, Nissan, and Jeep all have strong players.
But most of them are gas-powered, and the fully electric options tend to be a lot bigger, such as the Tesla Cybertruck or the Ford F-150 Lightning.
If Kia can deliver something that hits the sweet spot between size, range, and practicality, it could win over a lot of buyers.
A compact, electric-friendly alternative might be exactly what the market needs.
New pickup is part of EV and commercial push
The new truck could be part of a broader plan from Kia.
The South Korean marque is expanding into electric light commercial vehicles too, including vans like the PV5, PV7, and PV9.
According to its CEO, these aren’t risky ventures, they’re opportunities.
And given its recent track record of bold design and smart tech, this new pickup could be more than just a competitor: it could be a disruptor.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
