Kia will offer a total of 13 accessory products for its first-ever pickup, including fender flares, body configurations and off-road bumpers.

THE Kia Tasman has become one of the most polarizing debuts of the year, thanks to its eyebrow-raising, unconventional style. Along with its global debut, Kia introduced a suite of optional accessories for the midsize truck, designed to improve both functionality and curb appeal, or so they claim. But can these extras actually make the Tasman more appealing to skeptical buyers? Let’s check them.

The automaker has confirmed that it will offer a total of 13 accessory products for its first-ever pickup truck. Among the offerings are four different bed accessory configurations, two side step styles, and a Beadlock style set. wheels. A closer look at the images reveals even more: larger fender extensions, a snorkel, and an off-road bumper equipped with an integrated bull bar.

More: 5 things you need to know about the polarizing Kia Tasman

The Tasman’s most controversial feature has to be its unpainted plastic horizontal fenders, a choice that prompted more than a few double-takes. Damen Meredith, CEO of Kia Australia, seemed to recognize the negative reaction even before the debut, hinting that a fix was in the works.

Mudguard extensions and bull bars

It turns out the solution involves a set of bulky fender extensions that follow the contours of the wheel arches, visually attaching them to the bumpers and side moldings. This modification gives the Tasman a slightly more conventional and rugged look without completely abandoning its boxy design language. The downside is that the rear wing additions don’t appear to retain the handy storage compartment found in the original version.

And then there’s the front end. The Tasman’s face is…provocative. The hood sports a horn-shaped trim element, and the iconic Tiger Nose grille is wedged between the fender-mounted headlights in a way that could be considered aggressive but mostly looks clunky.

A potential solution to this design mishap is the heavy protective bull bar, mounted on the optional off-road bumper and flanked by additional LED lights. This accessory It sure looks cool in the dual-chassis-cab variant of the truck pictured, especially in combination with the black steelies, side steps, and a snorkel.

In an attempt to minimize the stark contrast of the unpainted plastic elements, Kia opted for black Tasmans in most of the press photos. It’s a clever trick – black hides a multitude of sins – but it’s hard to shake the feeling that the Tasman was designed by committee, with each member pulling in a different direction.

Bed accessories

The automaker also detailed the four bed accessory configurations. The Single Decker combines a rear awning with gullwing doors and a roof rack. The Double Decker also includes a trunk with gullwing doors, but adds a sliding tonneau cover and a customizable cargo area. Finally, the sports roll bar doubles as a frame for mounting equipment, while the ladder rack is compatible with rooftop tents for camping.

Kia says “personalization is at the heart of the Tasman’s appeal,” adding that accessories are designed to “enhance leisure and work activities.” Since pickup truck buyers tend to lean heavily toward off-road and practical modificationsthese options should help the Tasman carve out a distinct niche for itself and potentially attract a wider audience in the process.

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Still, it remains to be seen whether Kia’s first pickup can reasonably compete with established rivals like the best-selling Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux. After all, that’s what the Kia Tasman looks like in the first place, with its designers taking a “new approach to aesthetics”, in a quest to move away from the “familiar form language” that defines most models. pick up trucks in the segment.

Pricing for the truck and its accessory packages remains under wraps, although Kia has confirmed they will be sold in bundled packages. The Tasman will be marketed for the first time in Koreafollowed by Australia, Africa, and the Middle East in 2025. Accessory availability is expected to vary by region, which could frustrate anyone hoping to benefit from full customization options out of the box.

Kia