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.

Star-less future for some popular models?

ANCAP’s decision to expire dated safety ratings for some vehicles still selling new here rankles the distributors’ advocate organisation.

The most recent ANCAP assessment of the Mitsubishi Triton was in March of 2015.

AT least a dozen new vehicles, among them a one-tonne utility that was an especially popular choice last month, seem likely to be stripped of ratings that show them to be good choices for safety.

The Triton (above), the country’s third-best selling model in February and benefitting from a consumer rush to avoid the impending ute tax, is one of three Mitsubishi vehicles on sale here that appear caught up in a move by the national safety accreditor to expire outdated crash test ratings at the end of this year.

Also snared in an intent to void ratings once they age beyond six years are a SUV version of the Mitsubishi traydeck, the Pajero Sport, and the make’s smallest crossover, the ASX.

The Toyota Prado, Nissan Navara, Mazda CX-3 and Mazda2, Suzuki Vitara and two Volkswagens, the Amarok utility and the Passat car, are cited.

All have five-star safety ratings from the Australasian New Car Assessment programme, decided when such evaluation was to a lower standard than now exists. Triton’s score was delivered in 2015 but others date back to 2011. ASX’s bases on a test conducted in 2010.

 The Australia-based independent crash tester, part-funded by the New Zealand Government, Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency and New Zealand Automobile Association – which often spoke on ANCAP’s behalf here until its previous chief executive in 2019 – is now acting to address this by progressively retiring old scores.

The Motor Industry Association, which represents almost new vehicle distributors is unhappy about ANCAP’s plan.

 However, chief executive David Crawford says, argument his organisation has repeatedly put about the confusions and inequalities it believes exists with rating standards in NZ – which are made all the more complex by this country accepting used imports – have always been ignored.

The ASX is the oldest car Mitsubishi still sells here. Its ANCAP rating is based on a 2010 assessment.

The outcome, however, is that some of those five star models might have to suffer the stigma of going without an ANCAP score for perhaps just a few months; as replacements are already coming. Others, though, might have to carry the weight for longer periods, perhaps several years in respect to one.

ANCAP scores carry priority recognition with regulators, safety agencies and for distributors here. Makers are voluntary participants in the tests, which have become increasingly expensive, with each involving up to six examples of any vehicle.

The status of the ANCAP outcome as the default car safety benchmark is helped by it having aligned with European NCAP, considered the world-leading crash test assessor.

ANCAP’s relevance has also nonetheless been questioned. When it kicked off it was testing Australia-made Holden, Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi cars specifically relevant to this part of the world. That obviously is no longer a consideration. Often, now, ANCAP ratings are based on outcomes of Euro NCAP tests. While many new vehicles sold here are in common usage on both sides of the Tasman, some are not. Regardless of the funding out of this country, ANCAP doesn’t deliver ratings on new cars that might only come to New Zealand.

The commonality with all the models cited by ANCAP now is that they have scores issued prior to 2015 and remain on sale as new choices.

In the past decade ANCAP and Euro NCAP protocols have revised and crash test criteria has become more stringent to the point, the Australasian agency says, scores for the cited vehicles are too outdated to be wholly relevant.

The improvement in testing has been a factor in vehicle makers having introduced more advanced safety aids and occupant protections. Sometimes these have gone into older vehicles as updates, but not always.

It is generally accepted older vehicles would be highly unlikely to maintain their accredited scores if assessed to today’s more stringent requirements.

Heavy-duty off-road vehicles have extra-long production cycles. The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado’s test score was achieved in 2011. It’s conjected this model might remain in production until perhaps 2024.

Evidence that new car buyers often, when making purchase decisions based on safety, just look for star counts without taking the date of test into account has become an emergent concern for some years.

There has been acceptance that it can be difficult, too, for buyers who do understand this issue to compare five-star ratings across similar vehicle types, without delving into the forensic details.

In layman’s terms, though, it has been long accepted that a vehicle issued with a fresh five-star rating is almost always safer than one with a score from, as a for instance, 10 years ago.

To ensure best-possible clarity in respect to this, ANCAP has decided to deem as ‘unrated’ all new motor vehicles with a safety rating from 2015 or earlier – unless they are updated and resubmitted to new tests, or replaced by a new model. 

The Triton falls into this category because it carries the five-star safety rating from the pre-facelift model introduced in 2015. Navara’s test was also conducted in 2015, as was Pajero Sport’s.

 The other utilities that achieved status as the country’s most popular new vehicle choices last month, respectively the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, are also five-star models. The Ranger’s status also comes from a 2011 test, but it is in runout, with a replacement – set to undergo an entirely fresh test – due between June and August, depending on reports. Hilux was tested in 2019.

The Amarok and Prado five-star safety ratings also date from 2011. Amarok at that time was the first dual-cab ute to win five stars.

Mazda CX-3 was evaluated by ANCAP in 2015, as was Mazda2.

It is normal practice for car companies to replace older vehicles with newer models within five to seven years, hence the adoption of a new six-year expiry. However, that doesn’t play well for heavy duty sports utilities, which commonly have far more prolonged production lifespans. The Prado falls into that category.

A new Triton is now being developed, and will become the basis of the next-generation Navara; the Mitsubishi is unlikely to be seen for at least another year and the Nissan is touted as a 2024 entry.

The replacement Amarok, a sister ship to the 2022 Ford Ranger arriving after June, is also cited as a 2023 release here. The Prado might be expected to soldier on until perhaps 2024 or later, according to overseas’ speculation. 

While the ANCAP scores will be expired, they will not be totally expunged. The organisation intends to retain that data in a ‘previous models’ section of its website from the end of 2022, according to the Drive.com.au website.

In New Zealand, the vehicles appear set to be re-rated to a used car safety schedule, in part devised to give idea of the crash integrity of ex-Japan cars that being configured for the domestic market, with no expectation of these being shipped off as used vehicles, generally lack an international rating.

Used car ratings base on data accrued by Monash University in Australia. If that is not available then an average rating, based on the type of vehicle it is, comes into play.

ANCAP does not have the authority to ban or approve vehicles for sale. 

Mitsubishi, Mazda and Toyota were approached for comment.

Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand spokesman Reece Congdon said: “Thanks for the opportunity, but it’s not something we’re going to comment on at this time.”

Mazda NZ and Toyota NZ did not reply.

MMNZ has already in the past year taken a big blow from ANCAP, with the organisation deciding the Express van, despite being loaded with a swag of safety ingredients (and being a version of a Renault that did well in an earlier Euro NCAP assessment), deserved a zero score, the poorest outcome ever from the agency. Conversely, ANCAP has also just awarded the new Outlander a high five-star score and praised the safety elements.

Volkswagen Amarok’s test was conducted in 2011. It was the first dual-cab ute to achieve a five star acore. A new Amarok is coming in 2023.

Crawford said his organisation, and its equivalent in Australia (the FCAI) were aligned in their view in respect to ANCAP’s decision.

“We’re not happy that ANCAP have decided to retire ratings after six years. We believe the rating should always been read as (belonging to) the year the rating was done.

“But retiring it is a fait accompli and we just have to live with it.”

 He said New Zealand having a range of ratings made for a complex situation.

Market almost a quarter down on 2019

The new car market’s slump is becoming more pronounced.

DECLINING consumer interest, diminishing supply, a reflection of how a market looks when it isn’t being influenced by rental fleet demand? 

All have been cited by various sources within the motor industry as latest registrations data, the count for August, further supports a hefty drop in new vehicle registrations year-to-date compared to the same period last year.

“Year to date the market is down 23.8 percent, which is consistent with recent months data confirming our expectations that 2020 will finish about 25 percent down on 2019 volumes,” says David Crawford, chief executive of the Motor Industry Association, which represents new vehicle distributors.

His thought about why? Well, it all comes back to coronavirus, of course – the pandemic has slowed the vehicle industry and purchasing globally.

Specifically, Crawford ventures, it reflects a weaker economy affected by Covid-19. As for local influences? Well, the MIA hasn’t ventured that far, but others within the industry, speaking on condition of anonymity, have.

One says it’s pretty clear, now, that some brands are having trouble achieving supply of new products. Looking at more precise datasets than those shared by the MIA reveals a lot more, he suggests.

Another says the year to date decline reduces significantly when rental counts are excluded. “August can be a big month for rentals. Take them out and the decline is more like eight percent year-on-year, which isn’t so bad all things considered.”

Fair call? Well, when rentals are under the spotlight, really just one brand is affected more than any other, and that’s Toyota New Zealand. Interestingly enough, in a state of the national chat with motoring writers during last week’s MY21 Hilux event, TNZ CEO Neeraj Lala touched on the impact the collapse of the rental market had on his volume, noting that the rental count year to date in 2020 was about 90 percent down on the same period last year. 

In total, some 10,902 vehicles were registered last month, a decrease of 3623 units compared to September 2019.  

The top three plate-ups were the Ford Ranger (663 units) leading the Toyota RAV4 (464 units), and the Mitsubishi Triton (360 units).

The MIA also note a spike in electric vehicle registrations, due mainly to the Tesla Model 3; dissemination of the latest shipment of presumably pre-ordered cars accounted for 139 of the 243 fully electric vehicle registrations. Additionally, 54 plug-in hybrids and 927 hybrids – the latter mostly Toyotas - hit the road. 

Toyota was the market leader for passenger and SUV registrations with 16 percent market share (1,217 units) followed by Kia with 10 percent (801) and then Suzuki with 8 percent (625).

In the commercial sector, Ford retained the market lead with 25 percent market share (803 units) followed by Toyota with 13 percent (406) and Mitsubishi third with 11 percent (360).