Five versions, all with common diesel automatic transmission and all but the base in all-wheel-drive. Here from August.

FIVE double cab editions of Kia’s first utility in this market will start the type’s sales push, with more expected to follow.

The first shipment of the Tasman lands in August, with provision in $52,690 TX, $58,690 TXR, $62,690 TXS, $69,690 X-Line and $79,690 X-Pro formats. These are all-wheel-drive, but TX will also configure in rear-drive from around October.

Full detail about equipment levels have yet to be shared, but common to all are a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine making 154kW and 440Nm and an eight-speed automatic.

The base format delivers with cloth trim and 17 inch steel wheels; the rear-drive model’s spec has still be to be shared, but the cheapest AWD has disc brakes, a diff lock, LED headlights and a smart key, plus a 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster. TXR has the same size rim but an alloy; it also gets sat nav and a highway driving assist package. TXS and X-Line are on 18 inch alloys, X-Pro goes back to 17s, but has a specialist off-roading tyre. TXS has mood lighting, composite cloth and leather seats and wireless phone charger, plus two 240 volt power outlets.

X-Line and X-Pro are fully fancy trophy utes, with leather, projection lamps, a sliding and reclining facility for the rear seat, power adjust front seats (just the driver on X-Line, both for X-Pro) with heating, a surround view monitor, the rear fender storage compartment, two wireless phone chargers. X-Pro adds in an electromechanical rear differential lock, has gnarlier rubber, gets a sunroof, the front seats are ventilated, it has a ground view monitor and a Harmon Kardon premium audio.

The factory has previously indicated a double cab chassis will be in production for this region from August, with a single-cab chassis following. A ‘pre-release’ brochure out of Kia NZ says the TX rear and all-wheel-drive and TXR will avail as a single cab chassis from quarter one of 2026. The double cab chassis will span TX AWD and TXR from the last quarter of this year.

Kia NZ managing director Todd McDonald says the double cabs are coming first in recognition that this body style “is incredibly popular amongst Kiwi ute buyers thanks to its all-round functionality and versatility.”

Kia NZ has not divulged the strategy for its pricing plan, but logically it reflects that Kia is a newcomer to this genre here, and is coming up against a wide span of entrants that are either well-established and already highly regarded, or are sharply priced.

In addition to facing up to old hands like Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara, Tasman must also face a host of Chinese-made entrants.

It will do so with polarising style - so controversial Kia has begun a redesign - and an engine with weaker torque outputs than many rival utes.

McDonald has sought for now to argue that Tasman will be up to snuff for technology - it is configured for over the air updates - has a roomy cabin with configuration options not found on all rivals and is tough.

The latter contention being based on its development programme being run in Australia. NZ involvement in that phase limited to a touch of extreme cold-weather testing at the proving ground near Wanaka.

He is sure the type will compete in respect to its off- road capability and all-round durability as well as for practicality.

“Overseas testing of the new ute has proven it to be an incredibly capable off-road performer,” McDonald believes.

“It offers 800mm wading depth across all models in the lineup, a standardised locking differential is also a feature on all variants in the Tasman portfolio as is low-range gearing, whilst the top of the line X-Pro delivers ground clearance of up to 252mm.”

Kia in Australia has just announced bold sales targets for Tasman, but if McDonald has the same sentiment, he has yet to reveal it to media here.

If realised, the neighbour’s ambition would see one in four examples delivered globally each year reach Australian driveways.

The Kia Australia pitch is to sell up to 11,000 examples by end of this year and 20,000 in 2026, the first full year of sale.

The best-selling utility in New Zealand for 10 years running has been Ford Ranger, which achieved 11748 units in 2024.

The neighbour's target is based on Kia head office forecast of 1.3 million ‘C-segment pick-ups’ sold in ‘emerging markets’ and South Korea this year, growing to almost 1.4 million in 2026, and at least 1.6 million in 2030.

For now, McDonald will offer just that “reaction … has been nothing short of phenomenal, it’s a statement-making machine.”

One element of Tasman’s look that is not seen in the promotional images seen today but set to go on some showroom types is a plastic bib attached to the bottom of the front bumper.

This extension isn’t an aero aide but serves to help Tasman achieve a five-star safety rating from the national independent crash test auditor for NZ and Australia.

The plastic bar is needed to optimise pedestrian protection, which ANCAP rates as a high priority.

Media in Australia said the only models that won’t take it are the X-Line and X-Pro - because it would impede them achieving the best off-road approach angles for climbing steep slopes. Not having the bib means those versions will go without an ANCAP score, according to reports.

In respect to the model’s overall look, Kia used a motor show in Seoul two weeks ago to show off a Tasman concept called the Weekender, featuring body enhancements that alter the original look, notably new bumpers that act to visually ‘slim’ the grille that has been widely lambasted.

Though Weekender is just a design study, Kia has left impression the altered styling ingredients will be coming to the production model.