Kia has lifted the curtain on its new Tasman ute, a dual-cab pickup designed to compete with popular models like the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, and Mitsubishi Triton. The Kia Tasman, showcased in Tasmania and Saudi Arabia, is set to arrive in 2025, boasting advanced features and rugged design choices aimed at the lifestyle and work truck markets.
The Australian model will feature a 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel engine, generating 155kW and 441Nm of torque, allowing the Tasman to hit 100km/h in approximately 10.5 seconds. This engine is familiar from other Kia and Hyundai models like the Sorento and Santa Fe.
Inside, the Tasman sports a triple-display setup: a 12.3-inch driver’s display, a 12.3-inch central infotainment screen, and a 5-inch display dedicated to climate control. Kia has made Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard, while an eight-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo system is available as an upgrade. Additional interior features include a folding table, hidden storage under the rear seats, and recycled plastic materials for added sustainability.
Two versions of the Tasman will be available: the road-oriented X-Line, equipped with 18-inch wheels, and the more rugged X-Pro variant, which has 17-inch wheels, raised suspension, off-road driving modes, and an electronically locking rear differential. Both versions support a 3500kg towing capacity and can wade through up to 800mm of water, rivaling the capabilities of the Ford Ranger.
The Tasman X-Pro also offers 252mm of ground clearance and customizable accessories for further personalization. Despite its practical features, the Tasman’s styling—characterized by widely spaced headlights and a broad grille—may be divisive. Kia chose to present the model in a black-on-black finish with key design elements partially obscured, perhaps to highlight its robust presence.
Kia’s head of design, Karim Habib, described the Tasman as a “solid and capable” pickup that balances lifestyle with functionality, while Kia’s CEO Ho Sung Song noted it as a vehicle built to redefine the market by blending utility with advanced, lifestyle-oriented features. “The Tasman is designed for outdoor enthusiasts and small business owners alike, embodying Kia’s global slogan ‘Dive into a New Dimension’ as it ventures beyond conventional expectations.”
Pricing details remain under wraps, but Kia anticipates that the Tasman’s unique design and features will attract customers looking for a truck with both practicality and innovative style.
