Kia hints at Toyota Prado rivaling full-size SUV by 2029

The SUV that will rival the likes of the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest could be launched by 2029.

Kia has almost confirmed a full-size SUV based on the Tasman pickup. The SUV that will rival the likes of the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest could be launched by 2029.

The hints were dropped by Kia Australia’s chassis tuning engineer Graeme Gambold along with senior product and marketing execs during an interview on the Tasman. They were asked directly as to when they could discuss a Kia Tasman SUV openly with the media, to which Gambold mused: “Three years down the track.”

Marketing boss Dean Norbiato clarified that the first priority for the brand was the success of the Tasman before thinking of future models. “If Tasman is a success, then it will open many doors, so let’s get Tasman right first,” he said. “Once we get that right, then we can go from there.”

“Let us take a breath, the media was asking for a pickup for 10 years,” Gambold added, not ruling the project out.

As far as the Australian market is concerned, they love their SUVs just like India. The three best-selling large SUVs so far this year are all ladder-frame 4x4s – Toyota Prado, Ford Everest, and Isuzu MU-X.

Source: Carsales Australia