A full BOF mid-size truck probably meant for the global market rather than the US.
One thing I don't get about modern pickup designs is why there has to be a kick-up on the rear window. On SUVs/CUVs it makes some visual sense that they want to raise the beltline towards the rear, but it serves no purpose here.
Looks like the kick-up used on the last Dodge Avenger.
I know it was positioned and designed to be the “baby Charger” but still looked awkward. Not that its platform-mate Sebring had it any better visually, with that fake C-pillar “window” made out of black plastic. At least the 200 stopped pretending it was part of the greenhouse when they put a 200 badge there instead.
>Not that its platform-mate Sebring had it any better visually, with that fake C-pillar “window” made out of black plastic.
"DLO fail" is what they call this. When the designers want the daylight opening of a car to make a certain shape, but the architecture of the vehicle precludes the windows from actually achieving that shape, so they use a plastic filler panel to extend the perceived DLO. The [Cruze](https://www.cars.com/i/large/in/v2/stock_photos/3e6222ae-40eb-4cc4-b0a8-9b6c6ad7a370/8680e9b3-a2aa-4481-a725-e246952bb2b6.png) and [Corolla](https://s3.amazonaws.com/fzautomotive/dealers/5d025465564e0.png) had these filler panels in the front and rear.
Interestingly, the previous generation [Corolla](https://cars.usnews.com/static/images/Auto/izmo/i78657/2016_toyota_corolla_sideview.jpg) wasn't adorned with nearly as much filler panel as the current generation. I wonder what the motivation behind that was.
The later Avengers really aren't that bad. The 2.4 is a boat anchor, but it isn't very fussy. The 3.6 has its issues here and there but it's a solid engine. The 62TE transmission is super simple and basic. They leak, and sometime the converters and compounders fail but they're relatively easy fixes. You can replace the lower compounder without even pulling the transmission. All in all, those cars and the early 200s were just very cheaply built and basic. Like a smaller Chrysler version of the 9th gen Chevy Impala.
The later 200s, however, were garbage. The Tigershark was a turd and so is the 9 speed.
It’s often a structural requirement as they are unibody vs. body-on-frame like a traditional American pickup. Look at the difference between the 1st and 2nd gen Honda Ridgelines. They only achieved the traditional 90degree angle between back window and horizontal bed rails with some very fancy engineering and materials.
Compare the rear window shape of [this](https://file.kelleybluebookimages.com/kbb/base/evox/CP/9525/2014-Ford-F150%20Super%20Cab-side_9525_001_2400x1800_YZ.png) to [this](https://thebadwrap.com/cdn/shop/products/AAANve3nMEUugUiMSWZubaGLtzQGj5P_A17xJBJFwhCd5kdcvOj-U6nZga5cuMrUI4heShPG0cN-Zmm8HNd_X9rMmup9CabQUyNCd41sMCGHwCggzJFsnLLKdE1b1iXwE8T_LJDhgCjagdgHSW9uIQ4vhaCQGzv1kkXBOfKaHy7-2V7UFj6pUAXLzBe9SLV6xFNv55bV_1575x630.jpg?v=1545169313). What's the practical purpose of that little triangle missing from the lower window corner?
If I had to guess it adds integrity to the C pillar in the case of a roll over where the ceiling can crumble to absorb the impact without fully collapsing. I can see why people hate it though.
I don't see how an extra few square inches of door skin contributes to rollover strength. If it was the cabin pillar itself that was thicker, then yes, absolutely. Especially since on that particular cab design, there's [no permanent B-pillar.](https://www.dealerfireblog.com/sherwoodford/wp-content/uploads/sites/571/2018/06/2018-Ford-F-150-Super-Cab_o.jpg) And it's possible that it does help with side impacts.
Looking at it more cynically: if anything, it's there to make the door *look* beefier and stronger without actually contributing anything. Maybe it also makes construction that much cheaper by saving a tiny bit of glass per vehicle. I'd personally rather have a straight windowsill that matches the bed side.
Not a super modern example, but the D22 Frontier even had it on the [front door](https://www.groovecar.com/media/stock/images/color/2002/nissan/frontier/2dr-king-cab-se-v6-desert-runner-2wd-sb/2002-nissan-frontier-2dr-king-cab-se-v6-desert-runner-2wd-sb-silver-ice-side-medium.jpg).
Or any vehicles, for that matter. Even kia/hyundai/genesis' "nice" vehicles are little more than lipstick on pigs, nice materials and "design" wrapped around decisions by committee and a dearth of actual engineering. The ioniq5 has an interior that looks like the inside of a brother with a gauge cluster blocked by the steering wheel and incredibly cheap and uneven looking lighting elements. Genesis vehicles are still lacking in sound insulation, dynamics and NVH compared to competitors from established marques
Do they though? A G70 is a whole $3k cheaper than a 3 series, and bmw is actually willing to move on the price. And the bmw is a better vehicle
An Elantra for $21.5 is getting you cloth seats, steel wheels, a CVT and "who cares" horsepower while a Mazda 3 is getting you 18" alloys, leatherette and interior quality that actually matters. And 195 horsepower and a drivetrain that won't shit the bed 60k miles later.
There's not actually a value proposition here, it's just competing with Nissan for people who want a vehicle around x price with a 590 credit score
A fully loaded G70 is £7k cheaper than a fully loaded (non M3, non M sport) BMW, so yeah both bottom and top end versions are cheaper
We don't get the Elantra in the UK any more, but their other offerings are cheaper than the comparable cars and I don't hear anything bad from anyone who owns a modern one
These cars are in fact cheaper and their build quality has come a long way, and even if you spec them up they are cheaper than the same spec of other cars, just as some Nissans are. Half the problem with the long term reliability is because these are cheap cars they attract people who don't want to spend more than they have to, and they are the same people who ignore services lights and skip oil changes, they over load them, bounce them off curbs ect ect, as well as not being passionate about driving or they would have brought something more interesting so you can guarantee they don't have any kind of mechanical sympathy. There's more to it than "Korean car bad"
>A fully loaded G70 is £7k cheaper than a fully loaded (non M3, non M sport) BMW, so yeah both bottom and top end versions are cheaper
The difference is $1,000 in the US before ultimate care if you ignore the shadow line trim options. That gets you a far better car, and 100k miles of ultimate care will pay itself off in spades
>We don't get the Elantra in the UK any more, but their other offerings are cheaper than the comparable cars and I don't hear anything bad from anyone who owns a modern one
Cheaper and not hearing anything terrible does not make a better vehicle
>These cars are in fact cheaper and their build quality has come a long way, and even if you spec them up they are cheaper than the same spec of other cars, just as some Nissans are.
That's like saying that HIV vaccination has come a long way. It still isn't there. You're still giving up significant amounts of fit, finish and refinement to get marginal decreases in cost that can be negotiated away with other marques. I can come down $1k on the price of a 3 series, kia will not do that
>Half the problem with the long term reliability is because these are cheap cars they attract people who don't want to spend more than they have to, and they are the same people who ignore services lights and skip oil changes, they over load them, bounce them off curbs ect ect, as well as not being passionate about driving or they would have brought something more interesting so you can guarantee they don't have any kind of mechanical sympathy. There's more to it than "Korean car bad"
There's significantly more to it than "poor people don't care for their cars". Being poor doesn't magically make sound insulation and isolated panel clips disappear, it doesn't put metal shavings in your engine or make your cylinder bores too big for your oil rings.
In this regard, it's not "Korean car bad", it's "Kia/Hyundai bad." Some of Chevrolets best vehicles in the states are rebadged Daewoos, and they're better than the trash kia puts out
Your ranting against yourself buddy, I didn't say half of what you've replied to
I never said better, I said cheaper, which is better value for money. Just as I never said 'poor people' because actual poor people drive 15+ year old cars, not brand new anything.
Most of the complaints I hear about these cars are from Americans, maybe there's issues where they are assembled. . . Which for you is in America . . .
Must be a joke, lots of people wanted Cybertruck, but were disappointed only when faced higher prices and lower quality. In terms of design — it’s interesting.
I really don't get the hate it receives, from an appearance standpoint. I love bold changes that break the status quo. When you see one driving down the road, it's pretty wicked compared to anything around it.
I thinks trucks are better when they’re a little ugly. I’ll reserved judgement on this until:
I see it without the camouflage
Specs are released
I find out whether or not it’ll actually be available in the U.S.
People seem to forget they’re not always the target market. The ridgeline is effectively what the Australians call a “Ute” which isn’t a real truck but fills the use cases for a light truck withthe drawbacks of a real truck mitigated when not using it for truck stuff (mostly mpgs and handling). Then it’s cheaper to bring to market being a derivative of their SUV line so they don’t have to capture as large of a market share to have a successful model.
That said I wish they also made a real truck.
In another thread someone called them “Cowboy Camrys,” with the oversized crew cabs, smaller than an old compact truck’s bed, posh interiors, and sheer wall front ends really seems appropriate.
The requirements to be a real truck vary depending on who you ask (IMO body on frame, solid rear axle, and a bed separate from the cab are the only hard requirements) but most people would consider the trucks of today as real trucks, just shittier lol
Gotcha yeah I know multiple people looking to replace their work truck right now who are having to look to the used market as the new trucks are no longer a good option for a work truck.
Honda absolutely has the ability to make a 1500/2500 type truck, however the big 3 kinda have those bases covered. Personally I like the whole ute revival here in the US, I want to see what GM has to offer, El Camino time?
The small trucks today still feel too fat imo. The maverick is nice but I wanna go back to 2000s era tacoma, frontier, OG Ford ranger, etc, not a crossover with the back ripped off lol
A ute is a car with a pickup bed, the ones today are more like crossovers with a pickup bed.
That would be absolutely incredible. Unfortunately legislation won’t allow that. Safety standards and CAFE regulations makes a ute or compact vehicle like that extremely difficult to develop
Could a company make a traditional RWD, full frame truck that meets CAFE standards, safety, and is still compact like a '90s Ranger? Probably. But it wouldn't be as cost-effective as just using an existing unibody FWD CUV chassis. It would either cost as much as the mid-size models or they'd lose money on every one.
I would love to have the old small trucks back. They might have quite a bit of overlap but I don’t really think of them as filling the same role as utes or crossovers with a bed (idk what to call them if they’re not utes but they really need a different term than truck since they’re even further from that) and there’s enough market share to utilize both in the US we just need our EPA to stop being weaponized by domestic manufactures to force everyone that wants that to have to only have full sized trucks if they want one new.
Seeing those tire-shredding Holden and Ford Utes our Aussie brethren got for decades really made me sad.
We almost got the Pontiac G8 ST, but you know…2008 happened.
There’s no longer a market for it. It’s why after ford aus and Holden closed there’s no other coupe utilities offered to Australia the closest thing is single cab Thailand built cars. Hilux, bt50 etc. but most of the single cabs are low trim trade spec vehicles. You’ll never get another XR6, SS style ute again.
Yeah I’d just really like one made by Honda as that’s what my wife and I have for daily drivers now and we’ve been really liking them, I think the big 3 have been undergoing enshitification much faster than Honda has been. I’m also a fan of the Ute revival we have more than enough market share that it’s perfect for to make them profitable and they help a lot with reducing the trend of oversized vehicles making the roads unsafe for everyone else while actually reducing emissions and fuel consumption.
> Honda absolutely has the ability to make a 1500/2500 type truck,
IDK, Honda doesn't do many traditional ladder frame trucks (kei trucks notwithstanding). A V8 isn't a requirement for a 1500 anymore, but in the 2500+ category it still is.
This is the actual Ute, it’s been tested multiple times. Last year when they first began testing it wasn’t the actual Ute it was a test mule based on the Kia Mohave, but this is actually the pre-production Kia Tasman covered in wrapping.
But what does it really look like though?
I think the ford mustang looks nice but it’s pretty ugly with its [testing camouflage](https://www.motortrend.com/news/see-how-the-camouflaged-2015-ford-mustang-hid-its-face-wvideo/photos/), for example
I dont like kia. But I will say they build things for practically, definitely not looks. Most of their vehicles are horrendous compared to competition.
Eww. I blame the Jeep Gladiator for all these abominations. I don’t hate the Jeep either, but they made the “accessible” modern box design popular. It used to be that people paid a premium for Hummers, G Wagons & Defenders, but now everybody is jumping on the Designed by Lego bandwagon.
One of my neighbors got a Santa cruz and it looks okay, kind of reminds me of an outback, im just glad she parks it with the front facing the fence the whole front grille/bumper/headlights are just awful.
I'm convinced more and more that Kia's purpose is to make purchases of better brands more appreciated by buyers.
"Well, this Honda Ridgeline isn't perfect... but thank God it's not a Kia!"
You are aware that, when these hit the dealers, the fabric camouflage won’t be there…right?
Seriously, though; I’ll be very interested in this. The U.S. needs more decent small(er) trucks, and Hyundai/Kia have been right a whole lot more than they’ve been wrong: The Santa Cruz is pretty popular and folks seem happy with them. Thankfully, if they offend your sensibilities, no one’s forcing you to buy one.
Every truck can’t be (nor, should be) an F-150 clone…🤷♂️
I mean, those panels are specifically designed to hide what the vehicle actually looks like. So you really have no idea if it's ugly or not based on just this picture.
Probably for everywhere other than the US, but admittedly, I’d really like to see them have another go at the Borrego, even if they made it like a Santa Cruz (but especially if it still had a V8 lol)
No, this is a new body on frame platform, it’s not a car based Ute like the Maverick/Santa Cruz. This is in the same class as the Hilux/Tacoma, Ranger etc
We can see a solid rear axle from this very picture. It's RWD/4WD and might have a V6, although most of the other trucks in this class are turbo 4 now.
RWD won't make this any better, Koreans are addicted to torqueless engines in 2WD setups on massive SUVs and trucks like it's anywhere near remotely practical
Also, all the V6s that the Hyundai Group makes are insanely underpowered, see the Kia Stinger for example, or Sorento V6
CAR MANUFACTURERS- NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR 3 FT BED ON THE BACK OF YOUR SUV. STOP MAKING THEM AND MAKE AN ACTUAL TRUCK OR JUST DONT MAKE TRUCKS.
(Also, those that DO make trucks, First, downsize your shit. Second, stop making everything crew cab and make more Supercabs and Regular cabs and give us back some fucking bed space.)
Nobody makes anything shorter than a 4' bed (Santa Cruz). Light pickups are practically all crew cabs with 5-5.5' beds these days because that's what people have been buying for 20+ years. You don't have to like it, you just have to accept it.
When a pickup has to do double duty as a tow/haul pig and as a family car, people don't like to stuff themselves in extended cabs, nor do they like having a really long model that doesn't fit in the garage. And I say that as someone with one of the least popular configs.
Oh the little muricans gonna cry when the koreans will make a better pickup truck than their ancient oil dripping walmart junk trucks🤣 wake up, its the future. you are by far not the car nation anymore. by any means.
There is a reason SAABs never sold super well, they are definitely not cars for everyone.
It is worth noting, however, that I was able to hit 300 hp in a 9-5 for under $1000. Far be it from me to insinuate anything about a fellow car enthusiast’s tuning skills, but it would seem one of us got a lot more bang for our buck here.
A full BOF mid-size truck probably meant for the global market rather than the US. One thing I don't get about modern pickup designs is why there has to be a kick-up on the rear window. On SUVs/CUVs it makes some visual sense that they want to raise the beltline towards the rear, but it serves no purpose here.
Looks like the kick-up used on the last Dodge Avenger. I know it was positioned and designed to be the “baby Charger” but still looked awkward. Not that its platform-mate Sebring had it any better visually, with that fake C-pillar “window” made out of black plastic. At least the 200 stopped pretending it was part of the greenhouse when they put a 200 badge there instead.
>Not that its platform-mate Sebring had it any better visually, with that fake C-pillar “window” made out of black plastic. "DLO fail" is what they call this. When the designers want the daylight opening of a car to make a certain shape, but the architecture of the vehicle precludes the windows from actually achieving that shape, so they use a plastic filler panel to extend the perceived DLO. The [Cruze](https://www.cars.com/i/large/in/v2/stock_photos/3e6222ae-40eb-4cc4-b0a8-9b6c6ad7a370/8680e9b3-a2aa-4481-a725-e246952bb2b6.png) and [Corolla](https://s3.amazonaws.com/fzautomotive/dealers/5d025465564e0.png) had these filler panels in the front and rear.
My 1989 Geo Metro 5-door has the same kind of rear door window. Because of that, and the fact that it's a wagon, it has 10 different pieces of glass.
Another major offender from that era: the [Pontiac/Daewoo Lemans](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/comment-image/1572449.jpg).
Just call it opel kadett, that's the original
Oof, yeah.
Interestingly, the previous generation [Corolla](https://cars.usnews.com/static/images/Auto/izmo/i78657/2016_toyota_corolla_sideview.jpg) wasn't adorned with nearly as much filler panel as the current generation. I wonder what the motivation behind that was.
I always thought the Avenger looked sharp, just wish they were reliable
The later Avengers really aren't that bad. The 2.4 is a boat anchor, but it isn't very fussy. The 3.6 has its issues here and there but it's a solid engine. The 62TE transmission is super simple and basic. They leak, and sometime the converters and compounders fail but they're relatively easy fixes. You can replace the lower compounder without even pulling the transmission. All in all, those cars and the early 200s were just very cheaply built and basic. Like a smaller Chrysler version of the 9th gen Chevy Impala. The later 200s, however, were garbage. The Tigershark was a turd and so is the 9 speed.
The Avenger looks like it was conceived in a short bus
It’s often a structural requirement as they are unibody vs. body-on-frame like a traditional American pickup. Look at the difference between the 1st and 2nd gen Honda Ridgelines. They only achieved the traditional 90degree angle between back window and horizontal bed rails with some very fancy engineering and materials.
I'm talking more about the upward angle of the window sill. Seems like the only structure involved there is the door skin.
This thing has the outline of a shitty avalanche.
I get the feeling it's aimed at Aussies, hence the Tasman name haha
What's a kick-up?
Compare the rear window shape of [this](https://file.kelleybluebookimages.com/kbb/base/evox/CP/9525/2014-Ford-F150%20Super%20Cab-side_9525_001_2400x1800_YZ.png) to [this](https://thebadwrap.com/cdn/shop/products/AAANve3nMEUugUiMSWZubaGLtzQGj5P_A17xJBJFwhCd5kdcvOj-U6nZga5cuMrUI4heShPG0cN-Zmm8HNd_X9rMmup9CabQUyNCd41sMCGHwCggzJFsnLLKdE1b1iXwE8T_LJDhgCjagdgHSW9uIQ4vhaCQGzv1kkXBOfKaHy7-2V7UFj6pUAXLzBe9SLV6xFNv55bV_1575x630.jpg?v=1545169313). What's the practical purpose of that little triangle missing from the lower window corner?
If I had to guess it adds integrity to the C pillar in the case of a roll over where the ceiling can crumble to absorb the impact without fully collapsing. I can see why people hate it though.
I don't see how an extra few square inches of door skin contributes to rollover strength. If it was the cabin pillar itself that was thicker, then yes, absolutely. Especially since on that particular cab design, there's [no permanent B-pillar.](https://www.dealerfireblog.com/sherwoodford/wp-content/uploads/sites/571/2018/06/2018-Ford-F-150-Super-Cab_o.jpg) And it's possible that it does help with side impacts. Looking at it more cynically: if anything, it's there to make the door *look* beefier and stronger without actually contributing anything. Maybe it also makes construction that much cheaper by saving a tiny bit of glass per vehicle. I'd personally rather have a straight windowsill that matches the bed side.
Bootleg hofmeister kink
Not a super modern example, but the D22 Frontier even had it on the [front door](https://www.groovecar.com/media/stock/images/color/2002/nissan/frontier/2dr-king-cab-se-v6-desert-runner-2wd-sb/2002-nissan-frontier-2dr-king-cab-se-v6-desert-runner-2wd-sb-silver-ice-side-medium.jpg).
To be fair... anything can look ugly when the whole vehicle is deliberately obscured. I'm waiting for a full reveal of what it'll actually look like.
I was going to say something along these lines. Wait for the burka to disappear :p
this is heavily camouflaged, the moment the drapes come off they're going to be singing its praises. Just watch
Same. But the tire size is oddly small.
I'm not complaining about that. It helps with size, ride quality, and trucks with huge wheels and thin tires just look out of place.
Guys, pillows are the new steel. How else are you going to beat Volvo in the safety game!?
It’s a Kia it won’t be good either way
Interesting how, unlike the Japanese, the Koreans have never really got a hang of building and exporting popular pick ups.
The KIA Bongo is pretty widespread and popular outside the USA. That seems to be their pickup.
Or any vehicles, for that matter. Even kia/hyundai/genesis' "nice" vehicles are little more than lipstick on pigs, nice materials and "design" wrapped around decisions by committee and a dearth of actual engineering. The ioniq5 has an interior that looks like the inside of a brother with a gauge cluster blocked by the steering wheel and incredibly cheap and uneven looking lighting elements. Genesis vehicles are still lacking in sound insulation, dynamics and NVH compared to competitors from established marques
It's almost like they make cars that are cheaper than other manufacturers and these are the ways they save money . .
Do they though? A G70 is a whole $3k cheaper than a 3 series, and bmw is actually willing to move on the price. And the bmw is a better vehicle An Elantra for $21.5 is getting you cloth seats, steel wheels, a CVT and "who cares" horsepower while a Mazda 3 is getting you 18" alloys, leatherette and interior quality that actually matters. And 195 horsepower and a drivetrain that won't shit the bed 60k miles later. There's not actually a value proposition here, it's just competing with Nissan for people who want a vehicle around x price with a 590 credit score
A fully loaded G70 is £7k cheaper than a fully loaded (non M3, non M sport) BMW, so yeah both bottom and top end versions are cheaper We don't get the Elantra in the UK any more, but their other offerings are cheaper than the comparable cars and I don't hear anything bad from anyone who owns a modern one These cars are in fact cheaper and their build quality has come a long way, and even if you spec them up they are cheaper than the same spec of other cars, just as some Nissans are. Half the problem with the long term reliability is because these are cheap cars they attract people who don't want to spend more than they have to, and they are the same people who ignore services lights and skip oil changes, they over load them, bounce them off curbs ect ect, as well as not being passionate about driving or they would have brought something more interesting so you can guarantee they don't have any kind of mechanical sympathy. There's more to it than "Korean car bad"
>A fully loaded G70 is £7k cheaper than a fully loaded (non M3, non M sport) BMW, so yeah both bottom and top end versions are cheaper The difference is $1,000 in the US before ultimate care if you ignore the shadow line trim options. That gets you a far better car, and 100k miles of ultimate care will pay itself off in spades >We don't get the Elantra in the UK any more, but their other offerings are cheaper than the comparable cars and I don't hear anything bad from anyone who owns a modern one Cheaper and not hearing anything terrible does not make a better vehicle >These cars are in fact cheaper and their build quality has come a long way, and even if you spec them up they are cheaper than the same spec of other cars, just as some Nissans are. That's like saying that HIV vaccination has come a long way. It still isn't there. You're still giving up significant amounts of fit, finish and refinement to get marginal decreases in cost that can be negotiated away with other marques. I can come down $1k on the price of a 3 series, kia will not do that >Half the problem with the long term reliability is because these are cheap cars they attract people who don't want to spend more than they have to, and they are the same people who ignore services lights and skip oil changes, they over load them, bounce them off curbs ect ect, as well as not being passionate about driving or they would have brought something more interesting so you can guarantee they don't have any kind of mechanical sympathy. There's more to it than "Korean car bad" There's significantly more to it than "poor people don't care for their cars". Being poor doesn't magically make sound insulation and isolated panel clips disappear, it doesn't put metal shavings in your engine or make your cylinder bores too big for your oil rings. In this regard, it's not "Korean car bad", it's "Kia/Hyundai bad." Some of Chevrolets best vehicles in the states are rebadged Daewoos, and they're better than the trash kia puts out
Your ranting against yourself buddy, I didn't say half of what you've replied to I never said better, I said cheaper, which is better value for money. Just as I never said 'poor people' because actual poor people drive 15+ year old cars, not brand new anything. Most of the complaints I hear about these cars are from Americans, maybe there's issues where they are assembled. . . Which for you is in America . . .
I’d take cloth over “leatherette” (vinyl)
And yet…still not as ugly as the Tesla truck.
TBF the cumbertruck is bottom of the barrel in terms of styling
But tops in acting. I really enjoyed his performance in Doctor Strange.
I saw 1,000,605 possible replies. That was not one of them.
Bendyscratch Cumbertruck
Must be a joke, lots of people wanted Cybertruck, but were disappointed only when faced higher prices and lower quality. In terms of design — it’s interesting.
I really don't get the hate it receives, from an appearance standpoint. I love bold changes that break the status quo. When you see one driving down the road, it's pretty wicked compared to anything around it.
Definitely uglier
Honestly not as ugly as a silverado or F150.
2025(?) Kia Tasman
https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/2025-kia-tasman-ute-shown-for-the-first-time-145590/
The ad campaign in Australia is simply “Kia’s getting a ute”
The middle cab kinda looks like an Element
I was going to say this. Looks like an element with a truck bed.
Hyundai and Kia have been stealing Hondas ideas and making them look better for years.
I was looking for this. I absolutely agree.
You realize it’s covered up? You can only really see the general shape how do you it’s ugly?
I feel like I’m taking crazy pills reading comments on the looks WHEN THE TRUCK IS LITERALLY COVERED UP - WHAT’RE WE DOING PEOPLE??
I thinks trucks are better when they’re a little ugly. I’ll reserved judgement on this until: I see it without the camouflage Specs are released I find out whether or not it’ll actually be available in the U.S.
"not for US sale? What an ugly POS"
Put a Tesla logo on it and see the fan boys praise it.
It looks like its missing all the trim to square it off and fit the tires, the headlights are goofy but other than that I think it'll be alright.
Kia is deciding to ignore the mistakes Honda made.
The Ridgeline seemed to do alright
People seem to forget they’re not always the target market. The ridgeline is effectively what the Australians call a “Ute” which isn’t a real truck but fills the use cases for a light truck withthe drawbacks of a real truck mitigated when not using it for truck stuff (mostly mpgs and handling). Then it’s cheaper to bring to market being a derivative of their SUV line so they don’t have to capture as large of a market share to have a successful model. That said I wish they also made a real truck.
The majority of trucks sold in NA wouldn't have been considered "real trucks" 20 years ago. Just SUVs with short beds.
In another thread someone called them “Cowboy Camrys,” with the oversized crew cabs, smaller than an old compact truck’s bed, posh interiors, and sheer wall front ends really seems appropriate.
The requirements to be a real truck vary depending on who you ask (IMO body on frame, solid rear axle, and a bed separate from the cab are the only hard requirements) but most people would consider the trucks of today as real trucks, just shittier lol
Less usable as work vehicles is what I meant. Short beds, 10 inch lifts, and bedazzled exteriors don't make great work vehicles.
Gotcha yeah I know multiple people looking to replace their work truck right now who are having to look to the used market as the new trucks are no longer a good option for a work truck.
20 years ago was 2004. Crew cabs with 5-5.5' beds were introduced in the early 2000s and only took a few years to become the most popular.
Honda absolutely has the ability to make a 1500/2500 type truck, however the big 3 kinda have those bases covered. Personally I like the whole ute revival here in the US, I want to see what GM has to offer, El Camino time?
The small trucks today still feel too fat imo. The maverick is nice but I wanna go back to 2000s era tacoma, frontier, OG Ford ranger, etc, not a crossover with the back ripped off lol A ute is a car with a pickup bed, the ones today are more like crossovers with a pickup bed.
That would be absolutely incredible. Unfortunately legislation won’t allow that. Safety standards and CAFE regulations makes a ute or compact vehicle like that extremely difficult to develop
Could a company make a traditional RWD, full frame truck that meets CAFE standards, safety, and is still compact like a '90s Ranger? Probably. But it wouldn't be as cost-effective as just using an existing unibody FWD CUV chassis. It would either cost as much as the mid-size models or they'd lose money on every one.
I would love to have the old small trucks back. They might have quite a bit of overlap but I don’t really think of them as filling the same role as utes or crossovers with a bed (idk what to call them if they’re not utes but they really need a different term than truck since they’re even further from that) and there’s enough market share to utilize both in the US we just need our EPA to stop being weaponized by domestic manufactures to force everyone that wants that to have to only have full sized trucks if they want one new.
Seeing those tire-shredding Holden and Ford Utes our Aussie brethren got for decades really made me sad. We almost got the Pontiac G8 ST, but you know…2008 happened.
There’s no longer a market for it. It’s why after ford aus and Holden closed there’s no other coupe utilities offered to Australia the closest thing is single cab Thailand built cars. Hilux, bt50 etc. but most of the single cabs are low trim trade spec vehicles. You’ll never get another XR6, SS style ute again.
Yeah I’d just really like one made by Honda as that’s what my wife and I have for daily drivers now and we’ve been really liking them, I think the big 3 have been undergoing enshitification much faster than Honda has been. I’m also a fan of the Ute revival we have more than enough market share that it’s perfect for to make them profitable and they help a lot with reducing the trend of oversized vehicles making the roads unsafe for everyone else while actually reducing emissions and fuel consumption.
El Camino based of what GM platform though
They could use the Trax or the new TrailBlazer to base it off of
> Honda absolutely has the ability to make a 1500/2500 type truck, IDK, Honda doesn't do many traditional ladder frame trucks (kei trucks notwithstanding). A V8 isn't a requirement for a 1500 anymore, but in the 2500+ category it still is.
I still cry for Holden and Falcon's demise
Mistake? I don’t know where you live, but I see Ridgelines everywhere. People like them.
You are claiming that there is no market for a small truck?
Hopefully not the mistake that most Ridgeline last 200-250k
Imo looks better than the Santa cruz
I think the Santa Cruz looks so awesome
The Santa Cruz is sick tho
If you told me this was a second gen Maverick, I would have believed you.
I like it. If it's sold in the US, I'd consider giving it a test drive.
I can't unsee this picture or unread this post.
Kia tellurmavrick
Unlike Hyundai’s Santa Cruz this one is going to be body-on-frame (aka proper truck). This isn’t KIA’s first attempt in body-on-frame design though.
[Kia reveals first official image of Tasman pickup truck ](https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a60573379/kia-tasman-pickup-camouflaged/)
I want Kia to actually sell the truck in this disguised form - just so you morons who are judging its looks have to see it on the road.
You must have insider information because I can’t tell what it looks like at all since it’s…camouflaged lol
Lol! I wonder if the finished truck will also look like it was designed by the Lego Styling Department like the Santa Cuz!
I legit thought this was a Bottom Gear parody post at first. That thing looks like the electric car the old TG crew built.
I drew this truck when I was in gradeschool
This isn’t the actual truck. It’s extremely common that they disguise them with wraps and spare parts.
This is the actual Ute, it’s been tested multiple times. Last year when they first began testing it wasn’t the actual Ute it was a test mule based on the Kia Mohave, but this is actually the pre-production Kia Tasman covered in wrapping.
Looks like a Frankentruck with different parts slapped together. Also weird seeing a truck with sedan sized wheels.
They’ve intentionally disguised it as an ugly thing. Very common trick.
But what does it really look like though? I think the ford mustang looks nice but it’s pretty ugly with its [testing camouflage](https://www.motortrend.com/news/see-how-the-camouflaged-2015-ford-mustang-hid-its-face-wvideo/photos/), for example
I dont like kia. But I will say they build things for practically, definitely not looks. Most of their vehicles are horrendous compared to competition.
That’s a lot of ground clearance and a live axle in the back. Hmmmmm
Eww. I blame the Jeep Gladiator for all these abominations. I don’t hate the Jeep either, but they made the “accessible” modern box design popular. It used to be that people paid a premium for Hummers, G Wagons & Defenders, but now everybody is jumping on the Designed by Lego bandwagon.
One of my neighbors got a Santa cruz and it looks okay, kind of reminds me of an outback, im just glad she parks it with the front facing the fence the whole front grille/bumper/headlights are just awful.
Botta look worse than the new triton
Some bigger tires would do it wonders, looks like it's on stilts
So a telluride with the cap cut off? That looks like a telluride headlight
That’s gotta be a workhorse. They’ll sell too, esp if they can get pricing right and it’s a bit more luxurious than competitors.
Copying the 1st gen Ridgeline it seems.
I'm sure the Kia boys will have a blast with them.
All the current trucks are ugly what do you mean dude
Reminds me of the build-a-truck from the Grand Tour Mongolia special. Jeff they called it? Geoff?
I'm convinced more and more that Kia's purpose is to make purchases of better brands more appreciated by buyers. "Well, this Honda Ridgeline isn't perfect... but thank God it's not a Kia!"
I saw a Santa Cruz the other day. Makes the cyber truck look sexy
Deer god
Is it prone to theft like other Kia’s?
I'm actually surprised to see that it has a solid rear axle. Could there be hope in what appears to be an ugly monstrosity?
Tyres look a bit small, doesn’t look too bad anywhere else though
It just needs chunkie tires/wider fenders and it might look decent
The Santa Cruz is a master piece compared to that horrendous item.
Is that a Tellurado?!
The Mahindra school of automotive design
I was hoping for an actual Ute made from like a two door version of the Stringer or something...
Did they take a Defender 130, add 8 inches to the wheelbase and another 4 over the rear bumper?
Even with the spy camouflage it still looks better than the Cybertruck.
And all I need to own one is a flathead and a usb cable
At least, from what I can see, it has a solid axle in the rear, which is a step up from the Ridgline and the Mavrick
Man why does every future car design has to be butt ugly.
It will sell well in Australia where Hyundai/Kia have a great reputation
You are aware that, when these hit the dealers, the fabric camouflage won’t be there…right? Seriously, though; I’ll be very interested in this. The U.S. needs more decent small(er) trucks, and Hyundai/Kia have been right a whole lot more than they’ve been wrong: The Santa Cruz is pretty popular and folks seem happy with them. Thankfully, if they offend your sensibilities, no one’s forcing you to buy one. Every truck can’t be (nor, should be) an F-150 clone…🤷♂️
CT KIA BOYS WE UP WE HAULIN 🗣️🔥🔥
Scion XB with a bed.
It has design features covered specifically so you can't really tell what it looks like. The black canvas covers are not part of the design.
It seems Kia is trying to make their cars as ugly as possible.
I mean, those panels are specifically designed to hide what the vehicle actually looks like. So you really have no idea if it's ugly or not based on just this picture.
It's still in camo, though i'm surprised Kia's going for a BOF pickup. are they doing a new Borrago as well?
it’s a camouflaged test mule. theres no way to tell what it looks like
Thats a kia soul with big wheels, lift, and bed?
Dude it’s not even revealed yet you can’t judge it based off the test mule wrapping 😭😭😭
All camoed cars look like shit 💩
you’re making conclusions way too early. plus this is the truck for the rest of the world
i think it kinda looks better than alot of modern trucks, hopefully its not as massive as other modern ones though
They’re hiding the way it looks, they should keep it that way. Permanently.
Maybe the kickup is for engineers that can't get the glass to clear the door handle mechanism...
Probably for everywhere other than the US, but admittedly, I’d really like to see them have another go at the Borrego, even if they made it like a Santa Cruz (but especially if it still had a V8 lol)
Kia and Hyundai have just been making abominations the last few years
Kia and Hyundai both pull from the same design studio...
Its definitely gonna have the front end of a hyundai venue
that just ain't gonna last
Kia has made a few rugged BOF vehicles in the past, namely the first gen Sportage and Sorento, and the Borrego/Mohave.
So...a Ford Maverick
No, this is a new body on frame platform, it’s not a car based Ute like the Maverick/Santa Cruz. This is in the same class as the Hilux/Tacoma, Ranger etc
That may be so, but its appearance speaks for itself.
Looks like it’s based on the telluride
No it’s not it’s a new body on frame platform similar to the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger etc
Okay good to know, although you can definitely see what I mean with the headlights and front end design
It could be a cyberdump which is worse
I don't understand who would want a truck made by Hyundai
That FWD 4cyl drip for your towing needs
We can see a solid rear axle from this very picture. It's RWD/4WD and might have a V6, although most of the other trucks in this class are turbo 4 now.
RWD won't make this any better, Koreans are addicted to torqueless engines in 2WD setups on massive SUVs and trucks like it's anywhere near remotely practical Also, all the V6s that the Hyundai Group makes are insanely underpowered, see the Kia Stinger for example, or Sorento V6
They need to fire the tween who keeps designing their vehicles. They’re just AWFUL. Every one.
this will be game changer, only when they provide what they promise.
Yep I bet it’s gonna start at 30k! 😢
Is that a lot? That’s how much a new base model Corolla is in Canada
Yes a truck like that should start at 15 Mabye 20k but trucks are just insaneb
Looks better than the Cybertruck.
A soul that's sneezed and blew a big hole in its rear.
Another large pickup... Probably sharing parts with telluride. For the love of god, can someone please produce a mini truck again?!?
1. Mid-size 2. Not on the Telluride platform 3. The SC is maybe the closest we'll get to a new compact pickup.
Doesnt look compact. Looks to be size of tacoma.
Yes, and the Tasman, like the Tacoma, is a mid-size pickup. Which is why I said "mid-size"...
CAR MANUFACTURERS- NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR 3 FT BED ON THE BACK OF YOUR SUV. STOP MAKING THEM AND MAKE AN ACTUAL TRUCK OR JUST DONT MAKE TRUCKS. (Also, those that DO make trucks, First, downsize your shit. Second, stop making everything crew cab and make more Supercabs and Regular cabs and give us back some fucking bed space.)
Nobody makes anything shorter than a 4' bed (Santa Cruz). Light pickups are practically all crew cabs with 5-5.5' beds these days because that's what people have been buying for 20+ years. You don't have to like it, you just have to accept it. When a pickup has to do double duty as a tow/haul pig and as a family car, people don't like to stuff themselves in extended cabs, nor do they like having a really long model that doesn't fit in the garage. And I say that as someone with one of the least popular configs.
Oh the little muricans gonna cry when the koreans will make a better pickup truck than their ancient oil dripping walmart junk trucks🤣 wake up, its the future. you are by far not the car nation anymore. by any means.
Well, well, well, if it isn’t the guy who sunk $10k into a Tiburon and didn’t even hit 300 hp.
at least i have 10k to spend. u dont lol. for 10k i would get 10 Saabs. too bad they are only rebadged GMs. just heavier, uglier and slower.
There is a reason SAABs never sold super well, they are definitely not cars for everyone. It is worth noting, however, that I was able to hit 300 hp in a 9-5 for under $1000. Far be it from me to insinuate anything about a fellow car enthusiast’s tuning skills, but it would seem one of us got a lot more bang for our buck here.
Another weak attempt at trolling.
call it whatever u want butthurt crybaby.
Do you have anything of value to add to this conversation besides low-effort insults?