Now you see - Kia’s Tasman ute unboxed

Double cab offers tech, intriguing options packs as well as a startling appearance. Here in second half of 2025.

TO make people think about something in a new or different way - Kia reckons the best way of describing its new Tasman double cab four-wheel-drive utility is to say it ‘redefines’ the category.

Clearly that statement foremost references in respect to the styling, which very much accentuates the usual boxiness … mainly by adding extra boxy bits. It’s a strong look that seems set to be magnet for strong reaction. Heroic or plain horrible? Prepare for plenty of chat.

Kia says the Tasman “has been designed to push the boundaries of what’s possible from a pickup and invites customers to ‘Dive into a New Dimension.’”

They’re right about that. You certainly stand no chance of mistaking it for the NZ-scene dominant Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, or for that matter a Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara or VW Amarok.

“Kia’s first-ever pickup truck was created from the ground up to transform the market and respond to the growing preference for lifestyle-oriented trucks with advanced features,” said Ho Sung Song, President and chief executive at Kia.

“The Kia Tasman is a progressive pickup truck that follows its own path – not the competition.”

Design leader Karim Habib says his people deliberately shunned the familiar form language that has dominated the pickup genre for decades. According to Habib, this fresh approach to aesthetics strips away the unnecessary to begin with a basic, honest form that highlights the vehicle’s sense of solid power through simple yet functional elements, without relying on the oversized styling that has come to dominate the pickup segment.

As always, the buyer will decide. As much as Kia’s bravery demands respect, it also brings risk to a sector where orthodoxy has always been a strength. There’s a reason why one-tonne utes follow a certain aesthetic and it’s not simply to do with practicality.

For Kia to simply pretty much shun all accepted approaches will draw attention, but will it help or hinder sales? Mitsubishi will tell you there’s a good reason why they started again with current Triton. The blistered lozenge wheelarches have always been there during development, but until now there was always argument about whether they were part of the actual look, or a disguise. Now we know. The vehicle’s face is surely also going to be discussed at great length.

For all that its name specifically references our part of the world, and regardless it was Australian pressure that very much got this machine into being, the type's international unveiling has occurred in Saudi Arabia - at a motor show in Jeddah.

No New Zealand market specific detail has been shared, but there has been some comment expressed about the model as it will format for Australia. 

Which conceivably also basically means NZ, because whatever goes to our neighbour will also assuredly avail to us.

Kia says the Tasman will first go into South Korea during the first half of 2025 and only after that go into Australia, the Middle East and Africa. 

You’re wondering about the powertrain and perhaps hoping that it might include the 3.3-litre V6 that used to propel the now defunct Stinger sports sedan. Hope in vain. That doesn’t seem likely.

What it does have are two four-cylinder choices, a 206kW/421Nm 2.5-litre petrol and a 2.2-litre turbodiesel, the same engine that has run in the Sorento, with 154kW and 441Nm. 

The petrol does 0-100kmh in 8.1 seconds and has a top speed of 185kmh. The diesel clocks the legal open road limit from a standing start in 104s. Both run with an eight-speed auto for Australia (so, presumably, also NZ). Other markets have the option of a six-speed manual.

Tasman will ultimately branch into a single cab format, but kicks off as a double cab in base model and in X-Line and X-Pro trim. 

Both the X-Line and the X-Pro are equipped with all-wheel-drive as standard, which is optionally available on the base model. The AWD system switches automatically to the configuration required to provide optimum traction on different road surfaces and offers three driving modes – ECO, Smart and Sport – with various terrain modes available within these settings depending on the relevant market, Kia says.

Further enhancements to the X-Pro variant include an automatically engaging rear Electronic Locking Differential (e-LD) and X-Trek mode. The latter “enables the vehicle to maintain a low speed off-road without the need for manual acceleration or braking, ensuring smooth navigation through rough terrain. The e-LD, located in the rear differential, provides advanced control over locking and unlocking, enhancing the vehicle's adaptability and control in off-road scenarios. “

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, the technology shows what is going on at ground level, allowing the driver to manoeuvre the vehicle precisely in tight areas. 

The X-Pro has 252mm ground clearance, a 28mm advantage over X-Line, and takes 18 inch rims, whereas the lesser types are on 17s.

As much as the styling strives to make a big point of difference, the basic construct is type familiar. 

It’s a body on frame construct with double wishbone front suspension units and a rigid axle with leaf springs at the rear.

The load bed is 1512mm long, 1572 mm wide (1186 mm between the wheels), and 540mm deep. Kia claims a best-in-class cargo capability of 1173 litres (VDA). The maximum payload is 1195kg in 2WD mode and it meets the usual 3500kg towing capacity requirement.

Customisation is touted as being central to the Tasman’s appeal, with a range of accessories available designed to enhance leisure and work activities. There are four bed accessory configurations: Single Decker, Double Decker, Sports Bar and Ladder Rack, with the first three available immediately from launch. In addition, there will be a total of 13 accessory products offered, including two types of side steps and beadlock-style wheels.

Kia’s press material says the Single Decker features a canopy and butterfly doors for easy access, and a roof rack for a rooftop tent. The Double Decker features a trunk equipped with butterfly doors and a sliding tonneau cover, offering customisable cargo space. The Sports Roll Bar variant comes with a functional frame for mounting outdoor lifestyle items. The Ladder Rack variant features a ladder-type rack and is also compatible with rooftop tents.

Driver assist tech runs to lane keeping assist, blind spot collision warning and remote parking assist. The specification of a trailer can be incorporated into the electronic driver assist, which then automatically optimises driving characteristics accordingly.

Kia says the Tasman underwent 1777 specific tests conducted over more than 18,000 rounds of evaluation in a number of countries, Australia included. There is no mention of NZ having been chosen for any development testing.