The Kia Tasman is one of a handful of new utes set to shake up the workhorse dominance of the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger.
Whereas other new arrivals such as the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha and Ford Ranger PHEV have enlisted plug-in hybrid systems to evolve the ute dynamic, the Tasman sticks to a familiar formula: diesel propulsion on a ladder frame architecture with independent front suspension with coil springs and a live axle rear-end with leafs.
Kia wants to tempt 20,000 Aussies annually into the newcomer, which is available in two- and four-wheel drive guises and with a choice of ute or cab-chassis bodies.
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The Tasman was tested extensively in Australia in an effort to prepare it for everything from tradies and families to outback adventurers and caravanners.
The Tasman is bigger than Hilux, Ranger
The Tasman is a tad bigger than your average ute.
In line with a trend for fresher utes to bulk up the Tasman is longer and wider than a Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux.
The Tasman is longer and wider than both the Ranger and HiLux, which combined with the bold look (we’re being kind…) give it more presence on the road. At 5410 mm long and 1930 mm wide, it outstretches the Ranger by 40mm/12mm and makes the HiLux (5320 mm long and 1855 mm wide) look comparatively compact.
Those extra millimetres translate to more cabin space, as does the shape of the Tasman’s body.
The Tasman bucks the ute trend with a wide roof and nearly upright doors.
That means the side windows are further apart, leading to a broad and spacious cabin.
Backing it up
Those in the rear are also looked after with decent knee space.
And X-Line and X-Pro have a reclining seat back that allows the backrest angle to go from 22 degrees to a more relaxed 30 degrees (by way of comparison the fixed seat of other variants is at a 25 degree angle).
While it makes it slightly harder to swing your legs out to get out of the car (because the seatbase also slides forward) the additional comfort on long trips makes it a thoroughly acceptable compromise.
However, there are other compromises in the back.
S and SX miss out on rear air vents, with the space where they normally send air aft instead replaced by a plastic panel.
It’s an odd omission for a dual-cab ute designed to take the either the family or fellow workers.
The Tasman is two-faced
The new Tasman has two different front bumper designs.
One has a much lower lip, while the other does without to give it a more aggressive approach angle for off-roading
It’s all about safety. Or, more correctly, it’s all about ensuring the car achieves a five-star ANCAP safety rating, something that’s essential for many fleet buyers.
The S, SX and SX+ with the deeper front bumper have a better pedestrian protection rating, helping them achieve that all-important five-star rating. Spreading the crash force load across a wider space also makes the car less aggressive against other vehicles in the event of a collision.
The trade-off comes with the approach angle.
That lower bumper has an approach angle of only 20 degrees, something that is likely to cause issues for those heading off-road.
The irony is many of those entry-level cars will be bought so they tick the five-star safety box (by government departments, mining fleets and other businesses) then have their front bumper replaced with a bullbar, which no doubt makes life far worse for pedestrians than a plastic bumper.
The X-Line and X-Pro models are unrated by ANCAP due to their more off-road focussed front bumper.
But that design makes for better off-road credentials.
The X-Line has an approach angle of 28.9 degrees and the X-Pro with its higher ride height (due to tweaked suspension and chunkier all-terrain tyres) 32.2 degrees.
With 252mm of clearance the X-Line also gets a better rampover angle of 25.8 degrees and a departure angle of 26.2 degrees.
All other Tasman variants share the same 23.7 degree rampover and 25.0 degree departure angle.
And to round out the off-road stats the S, SX and SX+ get 206mm of clearance and the X-Line 224mm.
Australia is the Tasman heavy hitter
The Tasman is a relative minnow in the global ute world, with plans to sell about 80,000 vehicles annually around the world.
But Australia was planned to become the biggest model for the important newcomer, accounting for about 25 per cent of those sales.
To put that in perspective, Ford and Toyota regularly sell upwards of 50,000 of the Hilux and Ranger just in Australia. Annual global sales for each can top half a million.
That makes Australia a very important market for the Tasman, one of the reasons it was tested extensively Down Under.
It also means Australia is crucial to the long term viability of the Tasman.
“If Australia fails on this car it’ll be a one-generation car,” said one senior Kia Australia executive (what we’ve learnt since is that sales have got off to a slow start).
Let’s talk torque
The Tasman’s 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine is a familiar unit that’s also been used in the Sorento, Carnival and various Hyundai models, such as Santa Fe and Staria.
It makes 154kW of power, which is on par with prime ute rivals.
But its 440Nm of torque is behind the circa-500Nm that most punch out.
That puts it at a disadvantage for pulling power, although Kia points out that the torque peak is produced way down at 1750rpm, ensuring it’s easily accessible.
It drives through an eight-speed auto transmission, which is a version of the gearbox used in the Stinger performance sedan.
Of course in four-wheel drive variants (as with rivals they’ll make up the bulk of Tasman sales) there’s also a dual-range transfer case, in this instance supplied by Eaton.
Selecting gears is also different depending on the model. The Tasman also comes with two different centre consoles; X-Line and X-Pro do without the t-bar gear selector, instead replacing it with an oversized stalk that allows you to twist forward or back to engage Drive or Reverse.
Advanced shocks for load and comfort
The Tasman uses fairly advanced shock absorbers in a category where rugged and hardy is typically a prime goal.
The dampers are supplied by German company ZF Sachs.
And they are frequency selective dampers that can adjust the damping force depending on the sharpness of the bumps.
Over gentle undulations and imperfections the shocks will soften to ensure decent compliance.
But over sharper, harder bumps they tighten to provide the control expected of a vehicle designed to carry heavy loads.
The shocks in the X-Pro are 14mm longer as part of the tweaked suspension system that gives it the tallest 252mm clearance of all Tasman models.
Steel vs alloy
Like many utes the Tasman is available with 17-inch steel wheels on the entry S model.
But whereas some steel wheels we’ve seen recently – we’re thinking those on the Land Rover Defender and Ineos Grenadier – look sort of fashionable the ones on the Tasman are less enticing.
With 20 holes and a basic aesthetic they certainly look built to a price.
Surely it wouldn’t be too difficult to have a more muscular look to the entry-level wheels?
Three bullbars
Kia is offering three factory-approved bullbars for the Tasman.
Each is a steel construction and uses the same lower bumper element.
Those wanting additional frontal protection can add a single hoop to it or get the more serious safari bar that covers the front lights and better protects the bonnet.
The regular bumper replacement bar adds 75kg to the weight while the single hoop version is 78kg and the larger bar 80kg. Obviously those weights need to be subtracted from the payload if you’re fitting one.
Choose that largest bar and it covers the Kia logo on the lip of the bumper.
Designers have already looked at options to make the Kia branding more prominent, including replacing the plastic grille with something that spreads the Kia love.
No doubt the aftermarket will come to the party at some stage, too.
Kia Tasman 4WD wagon is on the wishlist
Many utes have SUV siblings and the Tasman could join the off-road wagon tribe.
While Kia hasn’t yet committed to an SUV version of the Tasman, local executives have their hands high in the air for a vehicle that would take on the likes of the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado.
It’s a relatively easy – and logical – addition to the family that would use most of the Tasman’s underpinnings but likely change the rear suspension to a more wagon-friendly coil spring set-up.
“They’re looking at it,” said Kia Australia CEO Damien Meredith, while also cautioning it wasn’t something likely to happen in the short term.
“The planning department and the product department have gone through it (a Tasman ute, which some have suggested could be called Tanami). We’ve got to get this foundation built on Tasman. We’ve got to give it some clear air.
He later joked that “it mightn’t happen overnight, but it will happen”.
Beers and air
The Tasman makes use of some of the space that normally does nothing inside the wheel arch.
On the driver’s side is a door that opens to reveal a compartment that can take half a dozen beers (or any other beverage!) while also creating a handy shelf.
But Kia is also looking at accessories to fill the space.
One such accessory is an integrated air compressor that will be hard-wired to the car and include a hose stored in the cabin.
The compressor is being developed locally and could be available in 2026.
It sounds like a great option – and a great location – for something off-roaders will use regularly.
Locking up
The Kia Tasman comes standard with a locking differential – sort of.
Only the top-of-the-line X-Pro gets a traditional locking diff where you press a button to manually ensure both rear wheels turn at exactly the same speed.
Other models – the S, SX, SX+ and X-Line – get a rear diff that can automatically lock when required.
The diff uses a mechanical system to detect the speed difference between the left and right rear wheels.
If that difference is greater than 125rpm – about 19km/h – the diff will automatically lock to maximise traction.
It releases again once torque is reduced within the diff.
It’s a relatively simple system that helps boost traction in slippery conditions.
However, it relies on some wheel slip to activate.
In some situations, then, it won’t be as good as a manually locking diff that could do a better job of ensuring no wheel slip.
The diffs for the Tasman are supplied by Eaton.
So an off the shelf Eaton locker should bolt in fairly easily for those who want a better solution.
45 accessories for new Tasman
Kia is offering 45 accessories specific to the Tasman.
They include those three bullbars mentioned earlier, two sets of side steps, canopies and various tonneau covers, including an electric roller shutter.
There’s also a snorkel with a reversible head.
A roof platform weighs 15kg and has a 400kg static load rating and 100kg dynamic rating. It includes T slots to accommodate popular extras.
As with the rest of the car the Tasman’s accessories are covered by a seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.
However, if you’re using the car for commercial purposes the warranty only covers the first 150,000km.
The company is also looking to expand its factory-backed accessories, many of which are supplied by EGR Auto.
Rock rails and brush guards (to broaden the bullbar around the front of the car) are two things being considered, depending on demand.
Some accessories will be left to the aftermarket
Kia hasn’t gone as big as Ford with the accessories it offers for the Tasman.
Instead, it’s leaving some to the aftermarket.
There’s no factory-approved winch, for example, with Kia instead leaving that to aftermarket suppliers.
An extended fuel tank – something common with people towing or those heading to remote areas – is another thing the company says will be left to external companies (Kia says it has supplied design data to some who are looking to engineer bigger tanks).
And while there are no auxiliary batteries on offer in the Kia catalogue, the company says it’s open to offering something in future if the right solution can be found.
Kia says behind the back seats is a logical option for a slimline lithium-ion battery that could be used to power accessories such as a fridge.
What about electric and hybrid variants of the Kia Tasman?
Electrified versions of the Tasman are guaranteed, although it’s the timing that’s up in the air.
Kia had been working on an all-electric version, but that’s been put on the back burner due to lacklustre global demand for all-electric pick-ups.
However, a hybrid is all but a done deal – and is only a matter of time.
“What would be prioritised first would be something of an electrified powertrain nature,” said Kia Australia product planning boss Roland Rivero.
A new 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol hybrid debuts soon in the Palisade large SUV from parent company Hyundai.
It pairs a 193kW/353Nm petrol engine with two electric motors making 54kW/264Nm. Combined the two power sources can muster 246kW.
And, of course, the big benefit is expected in fuel economy, with the hybrid system using just 7.1 litres per 100km in the Palisade.
With so much happening in the hybrid ute space – BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and Ford Ranger PHEV – it could be argued that it can’t come soon enough for the Tasman.
