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[The Guru = Reporter Na Shin-hye] If you’re into camping, a pickup has probably crossed your wish list. I spent two days with Kia\u2019s first true pickup, the Tasman\u2014driving it on pavement, taking it off-road, and camping with it\u2014to see how it performs in real life. The result? Its unexpected creature comforts and genuine off-road chops are both impressive.<\/p>\n
\u25c7 Tasman-tailored program \u2018Tasman Intensive\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n Kia showcased the pickup at a one-night, two-day driving program called \u201cTasman Intensive\u201d at the HMG Driving Experience Center in Taean, Chungcheongnam-do. The center sits on the Korea Techno Ring test track and is the country\u2019s largest branded driving facility, with eight different driving courses. It\u2019s also just about a 15-minute drive from Cheongpodae Beach, making it an ideal spot for a summer weekend getaway.<\/p>\n The Tasman Intensive program is built entirely around the Tasman, blending the practical advantages of a pickup for rugged terrain with everyday usability for families and couples. The demo vehicle was the off-road-focused Tasman X-Pro trim. Compared with the base 4WD, it offers 252 mm (9.9 in) of minimum ground clearance\u201428 mm (1.1 in) higher\u2014and comes standard with all-terrain tires. It also includes off-road features like X-TREK mode, Rock mode, and a Ground View monitor.<\/p>\n \u25c7 Off-road driving technique training<\/strong><\/p>\n The day started with off-road driving technique training. Before hitting the course, a professional instructor walked us through the vehicle\u2019s systems and how to use them. Thanks to that clear coaching, even drivers with no off-road experience finished the course safely.<\/p>\n The off-road course includes slopes, gravel, sand, bumps, and water sections. The steep slope left the biggest impression\u2014at times the ground disappears from view on a gradient of roughly 35\u00b0. That\u2019s when the Tasman\u2019s Ground View monitor really shines. It records with a forward camera and shows the ground beneath the vehicle on a wide screen in sync with movement, so you can see surface conditions and vehicle position in real time. X-TREK mode is another standout: by controlling engine torque and brake hydraulics it keeps the truck at a steady low speed. On descents you can let the system manage braking without constantly modulating the pedal, which makes technical mountain driving much more manageable.<\/p>\n \u25c7 Thrilling gravel road experience<\/strong><\/p>\n After the course we moved on to a gravel road experience. I rode shotgun and felt the instructor\u2019s aggressive lines with every bump and slide. This is the section where the Tasman\u2019s capability becomes visceral: even under a heavy rain advisory, the all-terrain tires tackled the course confidently. We powered over wet gravel at about 80 km\/h (50 mph), drifting and splashing through puddles\u2014an adrenaline rush you won\u2019t get from your average test drive. Honestly, it felt more exciting than some amusement-park rides.<\/p>\n \u25c7 Everyday comfort on regular roads<\/strong><\/p>\n Then it was time to return to normal roads. I drove about 42 km (26 miles) on public roads to reach the mountain course. Compared with a typical passenger car, the Tasman doesn\u2019t feel as sprightly off the line, but it performs respectably for a pickup. Inside, the cabin was quieter than I expected, and the Harmon audio system is a real plus\u2014clean highs, balanced mids, and no harsh frequencies. It suits every music genre.<\/p>\n The interior and convenience features barely scream \u201cpickup.\u201d Honeycomb-patterned climate vents and a distinctive handle texture raise the cabin\u2019s design game. There\u2019s a small storage pocket in front of the passenger seat for wipes, cards, or a phone, plus wireless charging, cup holders, and a console table between the seats\u2014little touches that add up to real everyday convenience.<\/p>\n \u25c7 Mountain driving made easy; camping made romantic<\/strong><\/p>\n Hitting the mountain course felt a bit like stepping into an adventure movie. Heavy rain had turned the trails slick, but the Tasman powered through. Using X-TREK mode, the truck climbed a muddy hill that felt around 30\u00b0, pushing through with notable strength. With Ground View and Surround View monitors helping you read the terrain, even jagged mountain trails lose their intimidation. These features make it easy for drivers who aren\u2019t used to big vehicles to adapt quickly. As a camper, I immediately pictured loading heavy gear and cruising up to a mountainside campsite without breaking a sweat.<\/p>\n The day wrapped up at Eueundol Auto Camping Site, which overlooks the West Sea. For campers, falling asleep to the sound of waves is pure romance. The site provides a full set of camping gear, so you don\u2019t have to pitch a tent from scratch\u2014great news if it rains or snows. Sleeping to the patter of rain and waking to waves is a dream for many campers. On our visit the temperature was 18\u00b0C (64\u00b0F)\u2014chilly for May\u2014but electric blankets and well-equipped cooking gear inside the tent kept the night cozy. A children\u2019s play area sits right on the beach, and you can rent extras like sand toys, board games, and hammocks, making it a family-friendly spot for a relaxed coastal getaway.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Kia’s Tasman pickup truck offers convenience and off-road performance, ideal for camping enthusiasts and daily driving experiences.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/cdn-union.tenbizt.com\/contents\/crawler-dev\/thumbnail\/2026\/05\/CP-2023-0051\/thumb-346f92b0-82a7-4658-821c-1cb41cfe10ae.jpg","footnotes":""},"categories":[278096],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-261936","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tour"],"yoast_head":"\n<\/p>\n
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