Possible Maverick Competitor: Kia Tasman ?

[bgn]

Definitely a Ranger competitor, but my guess is it'll compete about as much as the Santa Cruz competes with the Maverick...

Sponsored

 

[bgn]

Is it just me? Here in the midwest I seem to be seeing fewer SantaCruz's out and about.
Possibly the initial excitement of the vehicle has waned?
Kia/Hyundai flash in the pan intro of a new model than it goes flat

Maverick outsold the Santa Cruz almost 5:1 in the past month or two.

 

[TNFurb]

I think the Santa Cruz's problem is that its shape and styling are polarizing, you generally either really like it or really hate it, and secondarily it is not really a truck nor is it really and SUV. IMHO the Maverick is definitely a truck. Perhaps that's because of the styling but it feels and operates like a truck to me. The Santa Cruz doesn't. I think Kia should bring something that is definitely in the truck category and I think it would be a good competitor in whichever segment it ended up being in; Ranger or Maverick segments

 

[Ozarkbeard]

And that's why I said, " I suppose it's more logically a Ranger competitor, but I'm thinking Kia pricing could put it in Maverick territory," in the initial post.

Not sure about your pricing theory. Last time I was in a Kia showroom, I saw a Soul on sale for 10K more than I paid for my Maverick Hybrid.

 

[TNFurb]

Not sure about your pricing theory. Last time I was in a Kia showroom, I saw a Soul on sale for 10K more than I paid for my Maverick Hybrid.

You sure it was a Soul? I just built one on the Kia website and built the highest trim level and selected every single option available and the total was still just $28,395 which includes destination. Now, a Sportage or a Niro, I can see. But even on those comparing other vehicles with same features, I find the Kia's are less expensive. My daughters each just bought one. One bought a Sportage Hybrid and one bought a Niro Hybrid. Both were pretty much loaded and they were $35k and some change. That's less expensive than the Maverick Lariat Hybrid. Not saying I would buy them over my Maverick. But they are price competitive. If a Kia truck was similarly competitive and in that price range it would be in the Maverick price range vs a Ranger.

 

[EffNo50]

Can't say I am crazy about the paint job.

I'll say the paint job it crazy

 

[Ozarkbeard]

You sure it was a Soul? I just built one on the Kia website and built the highest trim level and selected every single option available and the total was still just $28,395 which includes destination. Now, a Sportage or a Niro, I can see. But even on those comparing other vehicles with same features, I find the Kia's are less expensive. My daughters each just bought one. One bought a Sportage Hybrid and one bought a Niro Hybrid. Both were pretty much loaded and they were $35k and some change. That's less expensive than the Maverick Lariat Hybrid. Not saying I would buy them over my Maverick. But they are price competitive. If a Kia truck was similarly competitive and in that price range it would be in the Maverick price range vs a Ranger.

Yes, it was a Soul. And I know what they look like. Now what I didn't notice was whether that was MSRP or a marked up price. The dealer where I was is notorious for ADMs.
And I only paid $23,339 OTD for my '23 Maverick XL.

 

[wax87]

Looks like the cross between the Gladiator and a Taco, U G L Y

 

[AzureBlueBill]

No plans to sell it here. But you will soon start seeing a lot of white ones in the Middle East, with machine guns mounted in the bed, especially if they are rugged, and cheaper than the Toyotas.

 

[Bob zimmerman]

Is it just me? Here in the midwest I seem to be seeing fewer SantaCruz's out and about.
Possibly the initial excitement of the vehicle has waned?
Kia/Hyundai flash in the pan intro of a new model than it goes flat

If you see fewer than before, where do you think they are going?

 

[aurfalien]

KIA? I wish Yugo made a truck, so we would have a dependable option.

Oh yea...


Some history;
https://classiccars.fandom.com/wiki/Zastava_Koral

As for the pic, I recall seeing a news clip back in the 80's with this setup. And I remember it very well.

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

A small, body-on-frame truck that fits in the Maverick - to - Ranger size class would be a welcome competitor, but not with that paint scheme. At least not for me! Functionally, something that reminds me of the original Ranger would be interesting, at least.

 

[Scupking]

A small, body-on-frame truck that fits in the Maverick - to - Ranger size class would be a welcome competitor, but not with that paint scheme. At least not for me! Functionally, something that reminds me of the original Ranger would be interesting, at least.

I think when the Maverick is redesigned sometime between 2028 and 2030 it will get a 4.8-5 foot bed, more structural strength and 5k tow option. I can also see the next version being hybrid only. If that is the case than the Maverick will start taking over even more of the midsize market.

 

[TNFurb]

I think when the Maverick is redesigned sometime between 2028 and 2030 it will get a 4.8-5 foot bed, more structural strength and 5k tow option. I can also see the next version being hybrid only. If that is the case than the Maverick will start taking over even more of the midsize market.

I might be in the minority on this but I hope they don’t make the bed length any longer. I like the maverick’s size just the way it is. If they start growing it the way auto companies seem to do with every other vehicle, it will ruin the current appeal of Maverick.

 

[Darnon]

Now, with the talk of a Kia truck, I can see how it could stir things up in the market. If Kia offers a truck that competes with the Maverick, I’d love to take it for a spin!

Technically there's already the Santa Cruz. Hyundai and Kia are kissing cousins.

Sponsored