The 2025 Kia Tasman is set to offer paint-matched body cladding when it launches in July.

A prototype of the Tasman has been caught testing locally, with images appearing on the Kia Tasman Owners Club group on Facebook – with Kia seemingly responding to initial criticism of the ute’s controversial design.

This digital illustration by artist Theottle provide a glimpse of what a body-coloured Tasman could look like.

While the original Kia Tasman was meant to have horizontal wheel spats above the arch, the company developed flares that wrap around the wheel arch which are believed to be an option for buyers – now it appears these flares will be able to be optioned to match the ute’s body colour.

The ute’s unconventional styling has been a matter of controversy following the Tasman’s unveiling in Hobart in late 2024.

Given there were no vehicles with paint-matched body cladding either at the vehicle’s launch or in press images, it appears Kia is looking at ways to make the Tasman more appealing to buyers.

Australians will be able to choose between a tub or a tray on the back of the dual-cab body, with a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine making 154kW and 441Nm – paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with either rear- or all-wheel drive.

Kia will offer three variants of the Tasman: a base model, a road-focused X-Line, and the X-Pro for off-road duties.

Final pricing and specifications are expected to be announced ahead of the 2025 Kia Tasman’s local launch in July.

What do you think of the colour-coded body cladding? Let us know in the comments section below.