2025.07.09 Kia
What Defines a True Pickup? An OffRoad Expert Shares His Take on the Kia Tasman
An automotive influencer known for his dynamic car life meets the Tasman, Kia’s first-ever authentic pickup. We asked him why this, of all vehicles, was his choice.
As global demand for outdoor activities grows, the variety of vehicles catering to these needs continues to expand. The debut of the Kia Tasman is a clear reflection of this shift, with its durable body-on-frame construction, versatile open bed, and impressive towing capacity. But above all, it is its off-road performance—capable of conquering any terrain or environment—that truly defines the Tasman’s identity as a genuine pickup.
As a result, from those who depend on pickups for everyday tasks to hobbyists with diverse interests, all individuals embracing a dynamic automotive lifestyle are finding the Kia Tasman to be a satisfying choice. Even those who thrive on fast, off-road driving are recognizing the Tasman’s exceptional capabilities. Among them is Hong Yunki, known as “Yunki Ride,” an automotive influencer who shares his insights from a unique perspective.
Hong is a widely recognized automotive enthusiast. He majored in automotive design at university and now enjoys both driving and tuning cars, transforming these passions into diverse content. “Capturing these moments on video eventually led to my career as an influencer,” he says.
The reason he fell in love with cars is a bit unique. It all started with a rally racing game on a console his uncle gave him when he was a child. The excitement of tearing through unpaved roads, dirt flying, left a lasting impression. Since then, he has been drawn to the thrill of riding—whether it be bicycles, ATVs, or racing karts.
“I like the raw energy of off-roading and rally driving. My goal is to make content that connects with those who share the same passion. Rather than simply reviewing cars, I want to explore and push their true capabilities to the limit.”
His enthusiasm for dynamic driving gives his content a uniquely refreshing tone, setting him apart from other automotive channels. He is known for taking compact cars and vans off-road or tuning his own vehicles for off-road adventures. Even standard car reviews carry his personal touch. He has even coined a signature phrase: “This one's got strong sportiness and a bit of rally car spirit.”
“The phrase ‘rally spirit’ actually came from a video I filmed when I took a compact car off-road for a review. I said it without much thought at the time, but it ended up spreading through the algorithm and received a bigger response from viewers than I expected. I quite enjoyed seeing that, so I naturally made the phrase a signature of my channel. I think the style I personally enjoy came through clearly to the audience.”
Hong owns a variety of cars, from everyday sedans and compact cars to high-performance coupes. Yet his standards for selecting a car are unexpectedly discerning. Rather than focusing on design or convenience features, he values a vehicle’s structural integrity and its potential for extensive tuning and customization. In that sense, Tasman was the model that best aligned with his standards. We asked him what led him to choose this vehicle.
“From the moment I first saw it, I knew, ‘This is a car I can fully customize to my taste.’ Everything I wanted to do was possible, from installing off-road tires and underbody skid plates to adding a range of accessories for the bed and cabin. Plus, since the Tasman is legally classified as a truck, it offers greater freedom for structural modifications compared to a typical passenger vehicle. It has all the qualities of a perfect tuning platform.”
His standards and preferences were clearly reflected in the trim and options he chose. He selected the Tasman Dynamic trim, the base model, adding only the 12.3-inch display and all-wheel drive. Considering his enthusiasm for dynamic driving, he could have opted for the X-Pro, the higher trim equipped with specialized off-road features. We wanted to know why he deliberately chose the simpler Dynamic trim with minimal options.
“Naturally, I was impressed by the specs and features available in the higher trims, including the X-Pro. They seem ready for off-road driving straight from the factory without any issues. But I wanted to customize the Tasman to my taste, building on its excellent fundamentals. That’s why I chose the reasonably priced Dynamic trim. As an aside, I found out just before taking delivery that the Dynamic trim has the gear lever on the center console rather than the steering column. Since I appreciate analog details, I found this setup even more appealing.”
True to his words, Hong’s Tasman has already undergone a variety of modifications. Off-road suspension has raised its ground clearance by two inches (approximately 5.08 cm), while steel skid plates protect the engine and transmission from rough terrain. He also replaced the tires with all-terrain models, giving the Tasman an even stronger off-road presence.
In addition, he applied a matte PPF (paint protection film) to the vehicle’s body to protect the paint from rocks, branches, and other hazards encountered during off-road driving. He further enhanced the interior by incorporating genuine X-Pro trim components, elevating the overall sense of luxury in the cabin.
“Honestly, there’s still a lot more I want to do. I’m planning to raise the ground clearance by another four inches. After that, I want to install a variety of components, including a differential lock—which locks both wheels together for better traction on rough terrain—a roll cage for the cabin, and a roll bar for the bed. My goal is to build a Tasman that’s ready to take on rally competitions,” Hong explains.
So, what does Hong Yunki see as Tasman’s greatest strength? He describes the vehicle as “a truly one-of-a-kind, unlike anything seen before in the domestic automotive market.”
“It’s almost impossible to find a Korean-made pickup with a body-on-frame structure and rear-wheel-drive-based four-wheel drive, while still offering SUV-level convenience features as standard. Tasman is one of the few that checks all those boxes. Being able to purchase such a vehicle for just over 40 million KRW makes it stand out in terms of value. Unlike urban lifestyle pickups, it is built to handle true off-road driving while providing the practicality only a pickup can offer, making it highly satisfying for both daily use and content creation.”
For him, the Tasman’s greatest strength is undoubtedly its outstanding driving performance. Hong says that his signature phrase, ‘strong sportiness and a bit of rally-car spirit,’ applies perfectly to the Tasman as well.
“Right after I picked it up, I put it through its paces on mud tracks, mountain trails, and unpaved high-speed routes—some truly extreme conditions. The result was pure satisfaction. As a rear-wheel-drive-based four-wheel-drive vehicle, it delivered consistent driving performance on any terrain. It could even drift through high-speed corners on unpaved surfaces, and its ability to conquer rough terrain far exceeded my expectations. The air intake duct for the engine sits as high as 950 mm, so I had no concerns about water entering during river crossings. Above all, I was impressed by its rock-solid durability, even in such harsh conditions. It is truly hard to believe that this is Kia’s first authentic pickup. I could only admire the amount of effort it must have taken to produce a pickup of this quality.”
There was another reason why Hong Yunki is so passionate about the Tasman. It is the car he chose to turn his long-held dream into reality.
“My goal is to compete in an international rally with the Tasman. I plan to start with the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) Championship in Southeast Asia, a race where many imported pickups—future rivals of the Tasman on the global stage—compete. I want to showcase the strength of Korea’s authentic pickup to the world. Ultimately, I hope to complete the Dakar Rally, known as the ‘Rally of Death.’ The Tasman, to me, is not just a car with ‘rally spirit.’ It is a partner that will take me to the real rallies I have always dreamed of.”
Hong also expressed his passion for what he wants to do right now. “Before I enter an actual rally, I plan to keep creating content centered around the Tasman. I organize my own off-road rally event, where the Tasman takes the lead as the main vehicle for demonstration runs, performances, and competitions. I want to continue creating opportunities for people to connect with rally culture in a fun and accessible way. That’s why I chose this car in the first place, and I see it as the path my content should follow going forward.”
The Kia Tasman stays true to the essence of an authentic pickup while holding limitless potential. This is why Hong Yunki chooses to share his journey with the Tasman. “I hope that through my content, more people will discover the deeper appeal of the Tasman.” His words carried weight, spoken with sincerity. From small escapes in daily life to life-changing challenges, the Kia Tasman continues to deliver new experiences and value to its owners every day.
Words by Choi Hyun-jin
Photos by Choi Jin-ho
