While out driving recently, I spotted a Kea Tasman and a BYD pickup and I have to say, they look surprisingly cool in the flesh. The publicity shots don't quite capture what these trucks bring to the table. They actually have a real stance, a presence on the road that commands attention.
Now, I’ve always had a bit of a gripe with the Jeep Gladiator. To me, that truck has never quite hit the mark aesthetically. It looks awkward and disproportioned, as if someone threw together a concept without considering how it would actually sit in the real world. It’s a shame because the Gladiator has potential, but truthfully, it’s never looked right to my eyes, I always thought it lacked the rugged, sharp aesthetic a pickup should have.
Seeing the BYD and Tasman trucks, though, was a revelation. They're what the Gladiator should have been: confident, well-proportioned, and ready to make a statement without trying too hard. There's something about their silhouette and build that just feels right like they were designed with purpose and a keen eye for style.
It's refreshing to see pickups break the mold and bring fresh design energy to a segment that's often weighed down by clichés. The Kea Tasman and BYD might just be the new template for how pickups can look bold and cool without feeling forced or off-kilter.