The forthcoming Kia ute was captured on camera in more detail than we’ve seen before.

Although the car captured in these latest images appears to be sporting the same camouflage as the test vehicle captured on camera late last year, these are the clearest images yet of the top-secret Kia ute.

Kia Australia still refuses to question or comment on its first high-performance Ute, which aims to compete with top sellers like the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max.

And Kia’s sister brand Hyundai has also been remarkably quiet about its plans for a future Ute.

Typically, Hyundai and Kia share core architectures, components and mechanical hardware, but sell two different models by clad them in unique sheet metal.

However, the latest reports from Hyundai and Kia dealers claim that the sibling brands are poised to split two ways with their workhorses.

drive expects Kia to go full steam ahead with a high-performance Toyota HiLux competitor with a choice of petrol or diesel powertrain, while Hyundai is exploring an electric pickup similar to the car-derived “Lifestyle” model sold in the USA called the Hyundai Santa Cruz.

It’s all speculation for now as both brands are keeping a low profile on their future model plans.

However drive expects Kia to aim to launch its double cab in late 2024 or early 2025, barring delays.

However, technical specifications remain under wraps for the time being drive understands that Hyundai and Kia have been scrutinizing the booming pick-up market since 2015 and Kia is targeting class-leading or in-class capabilities such as a 1-tonne payload and 3.5-tonne towing capacity.

For our previous coverage of Kia and Hyundai-Ute plans, please click here.

Spy Photo Credit: South Korean Social Media, via car spy.