Kia has finally unveiled one of its two anticipated pickup trucks for this year or next, and the Kia Tasman is quite intriguing. This midsize truck, built with a traditional body-on-frame structure, will target markets in Australia, Africa, and the Middle East, competing mostly against Toyota’s Hilux (a distant relative of the Toyota Tacoma sold in the U.S.). The second pickup, still in the works, will be fully electric and shares components with Kia’s EV9 and EV6 models available in the States. Unfortunately, it seems the Tasman, like the EV variant, will likely not make its way to American dealerships; perhaps it’s for the best.

If you thought truck designers were out of ideas for creating unique boxy trucks—without resorting to the characters of the Cybertruck—Kia has some surprises for you. The Tasman’s design features unconventional elements such as low-mounted headlights positioned at each corner of the front, which integrate into the fender flares. A uniquely colored frame sets apart these headlights from the striking grille reminiscent of classic 1950s Mercury hot rods. And we must ask, what’s the story behind the peculiar eyebrow-like or mustache-like features above the wheel openings? With a mix of bizarre panel designs and a hint of Jeep Gladiator in its taillights, the Tasman truly stands out for its unconventional style.

On a brighter note, the Tasman’s overall shape and presence are quite appealing, especially with darker colors that help disguise the odd fender flare designs. (Kia mentions that these flares might conceal some storage options within the fender, similar but less sleek than Ram’s RamBox storage solutions.) Even more impressive is a regular-cab, stake-bed model shown by Kia, which comes across as quite handsome, despite the front still resembling a dolphin craning its neck.

Inside the Tasman, there’s significant improvement. The cabin features dual 12.3-inch displays seamlessly integrated into a streamlined dashboard with stylish toggle switches. The interior design is straightforward and rectilinear, striking a balance between rugged and premium aesthetics.

In terms of dimensions, the Tasman is quite similar to the U.S.-market Toyota Tacoma’s crew cab model, both measuring around 213 inches in length. The Tasman is slightly narrower at 76 inches, compared to the Tacoma’s 76.9 inches, while it stands around 73.6 inches tall versus the Tacoma’s height range of 73.8 to 74.7 inches. The Tasman’s wheelbase is 3.2 inches shorter, leading to a longer rear overhang compared to the Tacoma. Kia will offer an off-road-oriented X-Pro trim for the Tasman that provides the most ground clearance (9.9 inches, compared to 8.8 inches on standard models) and sits the tallest; additional trims like X-Line and Base will also be available.

Under the hood, buyers can choose between two engines: a 277-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter gasoline four-cylinder with an automatic transmission, and a 207-horsepower 2.2-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder (with 325 lb-ft of torque), available with either an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. The Tasman features a double-wishbone suspension in the front and a live axle with leaf springs in the rear. A locking rear differential is available, and the truck can be configured with either two- or four-wheel drive, including low-range gearing. Kia aims for this vehicle to be both a durable workhorse and a stylish lifestyle truck for its target markets. To that end, it employs frequency selective dampers for improved ride comfort, and the Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA) feature is also offered, optimized for towing scenarios. Furthermore, the Tasman boasts a towing capacity of up to 7,700 pounds.

While the Tasman comes packed with impressive features and capabilities, it’s important to note that this model won’t be available in the United States. We can only hope that if Kia decides to release their electric truck here, it resembles the Telluride or the EV9 more than its current look, which is quite different.