One of two new Kia electric utes could be pitched as a rival to the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger with the option of petrol or diesel power, an overseas report claims.
One of Kia’s two upcoming electric (EV) utes will be designed to compete with the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger – and offer petrol or diesel power to broaden its appeal, according to a new report.
Just weeks after Kia announced two new electric utes for 2026 – a “dedicated” model for the US, and a “strategic” model for “emerging markets” – industry journal Automotive News claims Kia is “exploring the possibility of a global body-on-frame pick-up, likely in the mid-size [Toyota HiLux] segment”.
The publication indicates this body-on-frame vehicle would form the basis of the second, “strategic” (global) electric ute for emerging markets – yet would “allow for multiple powertrain options”, suggesting petrol and diesel engines may be offered alongside fully-electric power.
Prior to the announcement of the two electric utes, Kia had long been rumoured to be working on a dual-cab rival to Australia’s top-selling Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger – but with petrol or diesel power under the bonnet.
The Automotive News report suggests such a vehicle remains on the table at Kia HQ – and as a result would be a perfect fit for Australia, as the “body-on-frame”, “mid-size” segment referenced by the publication is the one occupied by the best-selling Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, and other models.
Kia Australia declined to comment on the electric pick-up plans when they were announced earlier this month, though company executives have previously expressed interest in adding a dual-cab ute to local showrooms.
“[A] body-on-frame architecture lends itself to electrification and could allow for multiple powertrain options,” Automotive News adds in regards to the emerging-market electric Kia ute.
With the “strategic” electric ute set to occupy the smaller, cheaper ‘mid-size’ segment, according to Automotive News – which is more popular in South America, Asia, and other emerging markets – that could leave the “dedicated” model to occupy the larger ‘full-size’ segment.
That would see it go head-on with full-size electric utes such as the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV, Rivian R1T and Tesla Cybertruck – all on sale or slated for launch in the coming years in the US, where the “dedicated” Kia electric ute will be aimed at and built.
Automotive News speculates it will ride on the Hyundai group’s E-GMP modular electric platform, which is set to underpin approximately eight or nine of the 14 Kia electric cars on sale in 2027.
Given its need to be used across the Kia range, the E-GMP platform is a “monocoque” chassis similar to a normal passenger car – or US-market Honda Ridgeline or Hyundai Santa Cruz ute – rather than a body-on-frame (or ladder-frame) design used beneath a Ford Ranger or F-150.
Using the E-GMP platform will allow the dedicated Kia EV ute to offer a high-performance GT variant – though it’s more likely to target on-road performance and acceleration, rather than the high-speed off-road capabilities of a Ford F-150 or Ranger Raptor.
‘AutoMode’ semi-autonomous driving technology will also be offered in the dedicated, US-focused ute – though it remains to be seen if the smaller, emerging-market ute will offer it – with both to feature over-the-air software updates.
For more details on everything we know so far about the new Kia electric utes, click here to read Drive’s original story from the announcement last month. Both models are due to launch overseas in 2026.
Kia ute render credit: Sungjin Jo.
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