Kia develops a frame SUV-a potential competitor to the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

Kia is considering the possibility of releasing a new frame SUV based on the Tasman pickup truck. This was announced by the Australian division of the brand during an interview with Carsales, in which representatives of the engineering, product and marketing departments revealed the first details of the future model. The novelty can enter the market by 2029 and will be a direct competitor to such models as Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X.

Information about the development was shared by the leading engineer for tuning the Kia Australia chassis, Graham Gumbold. According to him, the SUV is under discussion, and it will be possible to openly talk about it in the media no earlier than in three years. Gumbold said that the basis of the future model will be a platform from the Tasman pickup truck, the development of which has already been completed. This gives Kia the technical base to create a full-size frame SUV with all-wheel drive.

In turn, the head of marketing department of Kia Australia Dean Norbiato stressed that the first priority for the company remains the successful launch of the Tasman. According to him, the commercial success of the model will be an important factor in deciding whether to launch an SUV: "If Tasman is successful, it will open many doors."

In the Australian market, there is a steady demand for full-size frame SUVs. In 2025, the top three sales leaders in this segment are Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X — all built on a rigid frame and equipped with all-wheel drive. Given this trend, experts consider the appearance of the Tasman-based Kia SUV as a logical step in expanding the company's model range.

Thus, Kia can enter the segment of classic frame SUVs for the first time in a long time, where the company was not previously represented. It is expected that the novelty will receive high cross-country performance, extensive towing capabilities and upgraded powertrains that meet modern market requirements.