Kia Tasman

Kia had us all excited in mid-2024, with a pre-release campaign for the long-awaited Tasman ute range that wasn’t available until mid-2025. After we’d seen it and examined the specifications and pricing it looked like a case of: ‘too little; too late’.

Kia unveiled its Tasman ute simultaneously in Tasmania and Saudi Arabia on 29/30 October, 2024. Against a background of plug-in-hybrid (PHEV) releases from BYD, JAC and Ford the non-hybrid-option Tasman looked somewhat under-spec’d. 

That impression was heightened by the fact that Australian examples of the Kia Tasman Ute are powered by the Sorento’s and Hyundai Santa Fe’s 2.2-litre, four-cylinder turbo diesel engine that produces 155kW and 441Nm – well off the pace set by its diesel ute competitors, let alone the PHEV brigade. However, an eight-speed auto box is fitted and towing capacity is 3500kg, with an overall GCM of 6200kg.

On top of that, the cubist styling is bound to polarise potential buyers. The preview vehicles featured ute tubs and a tray-backed cab/chassis, and most of the people who inspected our press photos thought the Tasman looked horrible.

However, the interior is inoffensive, featuring a 12.3-inch driver’s info display, 12.3-inch central infotainment screen and third five-inch module for other controls.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring is standard and an eight-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo is an optional extra.

Useful touches include moulded side steps for tray access, 240V power outlet and an optional sliding floor.

The preview road-biased Kia Tasman X-Line model had 18-inch wheels and highway tyres, and the Kia Tasman X-Pro had 17-inch wheels with A/T rubber, raised suspension giving 252mm of ground clearance, off-road driving modes and a locking rear differential

Both the X-Line and the X-Pro have all-wheel-drive as standard, and it’s optionally available on the base model. The AWD system switches automatically to provide optimum traction on different road surfaces and offers three on-road driving modes – ECO, Smart and Sport. Off-road modes are Sand, Mud, Snow and Rock.

The X-Pro also has X-Trek mode that enables the vehicle to maintain a low speed off-road without the need for manual acceleration or braking. Kia’s Ground View Monitor (GVM) provides drivers with a further level of confidence while traversing challenging off-road terrain by utilising the Kia Tasman’s camera and infotainment screens.

In April 2025 Kia released model details and pricing.

The 2025 Tasman is available in five trim lines: S, SX, SX+, X-Line and X-Pro, across 4×2 and 4×4 layouts. The Single Cab Chassis is offered in either S 4×2, S 4×4, or SX 4×4; while the Dual Cab Chassis is either S 4×4 or SX 4×4. The Dual Cab Pick-Up spans all five trim lines, from S 4×2 to S 4×4, SX 4×4, SX+ 4×4, X-Line 4×4 and X-Pro 4×4.

Tasmans have payload ratings exceeding 1000kg, but all Dual Cab Pick-Up variants are available with a reduced payload option, to meet the criteria for novated leases, which often require a payload under 1000kg.

An Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (ITBC) is fitted to all Tasmans and integrates with Towing Mode (TBC), which enables the driver to specify towed loads and optimise Trailer Sway Control.

Dual Cab Pick-Up Tasmans can accept an Australian pallet within a tub that measures 1512mm in length, 1572mm in width and 540mm in height. 

All dual cabs have second-row under-seat storage capacity of 45 litres, in addition to slide and recline seat functions in X-Line and X-Pro models.

Additional features on X-Line and X-Pro models are a folding console table, in which the centre console lid folds out and dual wireless smartphone charging capability.

All Tasmans have 12.3-inch driver, five-inch climate control and 12.3-inch multimedia displays, with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Kia Connect with remote control functions, in-car services and Over-The-Air (OTA) updates.

The Kia Tasman is available in eight exterior colours, with three two-tone interior trim varieties. Tasman S and SX models have cloth trim and SX+ has a combination of cloth and artificial leather. The X-Line and X-Pro grades have  artificial leather throughout.

The ’S’ comes with 17-inch, black steel wheels; front and rear parking sensors, rear view camera (utes); smart cruise control; drive mode select; LED headlights; DRLs; ITBC; trailer sway control; rear bumper steps (utes) and tailgate lift assist.

‘SX’ adds: 17-inch aluminium wheels; Terrain Mode (snow, sand, mud); powered mirrors; enhanced smart cruse control and sat nav.

‘SX+’ adds; 18-inch aluminium wheels; LED fog lights; second-row air vents; bed-liner; two 240V outlets (tub and console) and wireless phone charging.

‘X-Line’ adds: column shift and paddle shifters; privacy glass; roof rails; second-row armrest; two wireless chargers; rear fender flare storage; parking collision avoidance; surround view monitor; blind-spot monitor; projector LED headlights; heated front seats; powered driver’s seat and second-row slide/recline.

‘X-Pro’ adds: 17-inch aluminium wheels with A/T tyres; rear diff lock; X-Trek Mode; Terrain Mode with ‘rock’ added; ground view monitor; Harmon-Kardon sound system; fuel tank protection; heated steering wheel; heated second-row seats; ventilated front seats; powered front passenger seat; sunroof and off-road info display.

Kia Tasman Dual Cab Pick-Up 4×4 pricing as at April 2025 came as something of a shock: a base price of fifty grand for the ’S’, ranging up to $74,990 for the ‘X-Pro’. ‘SX+’ was $62,390 and ‘X-Line’ was $67,990. That meant driveway pricing of $53,890,S; $58,490, SX; $66,490, SX+; $70,990, X-Line and $77.990, X-Pro.

We’ve been told to expect a test ute after the official public release in July 2025.