Kia has categorically ruled out the development of a car-derived utility vehicle, extinguishing hopes it might follow Hyundai’s lead with its Santa Cruz. When questioned by Drive whether a monocoque-based ute — one that shares more in common with a passenger car than a traditional pickup — was under consideration, Dong Hoon Kang, Vice President of Kia’s Mid-Large Sized Vehicle Chassis Engineering Design Centre, responded succinctly: “No.”
Hyundai’s Santa Cruz — which shares its underpinnings with the Tucson SUV — continues to exist in the US market under a car-derived format, although lack of right-hand-drive variants has precluded its arrival in Australia.
Instead, Kia’s current strategy for light commercial vehicles hinges on the Tasman, a ladder-frame, diesel pick-up tailored to compete in Australia against established models such as the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.
Beyond that, Kia plans a larger ladder-frame electric pick-up aimed at US demand — targeting models such as the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning — though production is likely to remain left-hand drive, ruling out Australian release.
Roland Rivero, general manager of product planning at Kia Australia, emphasised: “We’re banking on Tasman. We are happy and confident with Tasman, and we want to stick to ladder frame.”
KGM confirms car-based ute for Australia
In contrast, Korean rival KG Mobility (KGM), formerly known as SsangYong, has launched a Torres-based “lifestyle ute” that departs from traditional ladder-frame architecture.
The all-electric Musso EV, introduced in March 2025, represents Korea’s first fully electric pick-up truck, sharing its unibody chassis with the Torres EVX SUV. It is powered by an 80.6 kWh LFP blade battery provided by BYD and offers a claimed driving range of roughly 400 km in front-wheel-drive form. The single-motor version produces around 152 kW (207 hp), while an optional AWD dual-motor setup delivers up to 304 kW and 636 Nm of torque.
Beyond its drivetrain, the Musso EV offers practical utility features such as a sliding rear bed, roll bar, canopy options, and a self-levelling rear suspension for consistent ride height under varying loads. KGM has confirmed the Musso EV will be coming to Australia in 2026.
Hybrid is coming
Significantly, KGM has also launched the Torres Hybrid (HEV), employing a “Dual-Tech Hybrid System” — a serial-parallel hybrid setup co-developed with BYD that features a dual-motor e-DHT transmission. The system offers multiple driving modes (EV-only, hybrid, and engine-only), with urban driving often operating up to 94 per cent in EV mode. Fuel efficiency climbs to around 15.7 km/L — about 41 per cent better than the petrol-only version, and urban variants with larger wheels still deliver approximately 15.2 km/L.
In Australia, the Torres Hybrid is expected to deliver around 6.4 L/100 km, powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine plus an e-DHT transmission and a 1.83 kWh LFP battery. Its 112 kW/280 Nm powertrain aligns with local efficiency regulations.
Given the hybrid system’s success in the Torres, it is strongly anticipated KGM will adapt this technology for a hybrid Musso ute — marrying the Musso EV’s chassis with a fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain.
KGM has already begun exporting both the Musso EV and Torres Hybrid, with nearly 1,000 units shipped — 184 Musso EVs and 799 Torres HEVs — destined for Europe, particularly Germany, Spain, Hungary and Norway, with local sales projected to begin in August.
