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The Kia Tasman has had a tumultuous begin in Australia.
Kia’s first ute was imagined to be a game-changing second for the South Korean auto model, however the reception to its – frankly – polarising look has meant gross sales haven’t surged in the best way that Kia was most likely hoping.
But that is perhaps extra of a difficulty for personal ute patrons, as a result of for fleet prospects this factor ticks virtually each field potential.
And on this entry-level Tasman S dual-cab 4×2 pickup, there’s an entire lot of enchantment for enterprise patrons. Plus, there are bargains on the market…
How a lot does the Kia Tasman price?
The Tasman vary isn’t as in depth as another utes within the phase, however it is going to be bulked out quickly with the arrival of extra work-focused cab/chassis variations.
| Model | Price earlier than on-road prices | Drive-away worth |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Tasman S 4×2 single-cab/chassis | $38,010 | TBC |
| 2025 Kia Tasman S 4×2 dual-cab pickup | $42,990 | $46,490 |
| 2025 Kia Tasman S 4×4 single-cab/chassis | $45,010 | TBC |
| 2025 Kia Tasman S 4×4 dual-cab/chassis | $48,240 | TBC |
| 2025 Kia Tasman SX 4×4 single-cab/chassis | $49,520 | TBC |
| 2025 Kia Tasman S 4×4 dual-cab pickup | $49,990 | $53,890 |
| 2025 Kia Tasman SX 4×4 dual-cab/chassis | $52,740 | TBC |
| 2025 Kia Tasman SX 4×4 dual-cab pickup | $54,490 | $58,490 |
| 2025 Kia Tasman SX+ 4×4 dual-cab pickup | $62,390 | $66,490 |
| 2025 Kia Tasman X-Line 4×4 dual-cab pickup | $67,990 | $70,990 |
| 2025 Kia Tasman X-Pro 4×4 dual-cab pickup | $74,990 | $77,990 |
Those costs are simply indicative although, as a result of Kia dealerships appear to be eager to get some gross sales on the board.
For instance, I discovered this model of the Tasman – the S dual-cab 4×2 pickup in white – for as little as $38,990 drive-away with supply kilometres solely. That’s successfully a $10,000 low cost from the usual checklist worth plus on-roads.
And that should harm Kia as a result of, as you’ll learn under, should you can see previous its look you’ll be getting an absolute cut price of a purchase at that type of worth.
To see how the Kia Tasman strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
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What is the Kia Tasman like on the within?
I don’t suppose there may be one other ute at this worth (and even much less in case you are prepared to buy round) that has the upmarket inside really feel and presentation that the Tasman presents.
I do know you may need learn this prior to now, however it does really feel like extra of an SUV-like expertise inside this dual-cab.
It comes all the way down to the best way the dashboard is introduced, with twin 12.3-inch screens as normal – even on this entry-level car – and the best way the switchgear and squared-off steering wheel mix to present a whole and cozy cabin vibe.
The full digital instrument show for the motive force with configurable dials and color ending is a tidy little bit of equipment, and it has an easy-to-navigate menu system by the use of the steering wheel controls.
Then there’s the touchscreen media system which is nicely appointed, crisp, and logical by way of the menu construction when you spend a number of days with it.
The anticipated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring tech is wirelessly out there, so the menus past that may not be that essential to discover. But should you do have to, it does come fairly naturally.
In between these two screens is a local weather adjusting panel, which presents a show of the temperature you’ve set and in addition a few of the different controls like recirc and demist, however you don’t need to depend on that contact panel for these controls – hallelujah!
That’s as a result of under the panel of bodily controls for the media system, there may be additionally a set of glove-friendly toggle switches for temperature, fan velocity, and air-conditioning mode, in addition to a hazard mild swap.
The presentation of the cabin is phenomenal, with the meshed hidden vents making for an amazing speaking level, and the silver {surround} rail that runs the width of the sprint additionally including a shiny spotlight to the inside.
Below the dashboard space you can find a very good sized centre storage tray, sadly with no wi-fi telephone charger on this base grade, however there are USB ports there to connect with the display screen, and in addition charging.
The conventional T-bar gear selector is a pleasant factor to relaxation your hand on, and there are some buttons close by in your digital camera system, hill descent management, auto maintain and parking sensors, if that you must disable them.
Further again you’ll discover a good sized pair of cupholders with cup-grabbers, and a centre console bin with a 12V port that’s fairly giant as nicely.
One factor the tradies won’t love is the shortage of high-mounted cupholders, however there’s a sizable glove field if wanted.
In the doorways there are squared off storage sections with a very good quantity of area, and I wish to name out the padding on the squared-off door-tops, which lets you relaxation your arm on these longer drives. Below them there’s extra gentle padding and I actually additionally discover the door handles to be fairly pleasing to function.
But one in all my favorite options of this Tasman is the seats. The consolation and adjustability of those guide entrance chairs is nice regardless of the shortage of lumbar adjustment.
But the trim end that has been used doesn’t make it really feel such as you’re shopping for an entry-level truck, regardless that that’s precisely what that is.
You don’t get an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, however you do get illuminated self-importance mirrors and extendable sunvisors, plus there may be an SOS name button up above the motive force as nicely.
There are seize handles to assist hoist your self up into the cabin on each the A- and B-pillars, too.
Rear seat area is superb within the Kia Tasman dual-cab, and so is the seat consolation. Some different utes don’t supply fairly the identical degree of cush that this again seat does.
Also, you possibly can cut up/fold the seat base to entry your dry and safe storage space, plus there’s a cut up/folding backrest if required.
However, be conscious that there are thick roof pillars proper subsequent to the place a rear occupant’s head is perhaps, which eats into the view, so kiddos would possibly dislike that particularly.
On that subject, there are ISOFIX anchors and top-tether factors for youngster seats within the window seats, and the latter are correct ones – not the foolish ‘strap it to the centre position’ setup you discover in some rival pickups.
If you aren’t a toddler in a seat, you’ll nonetheless be impressed by the quantity of area within the again, the place there’s beneficiant legroom and headroom for the category, and sufficient width to have the ability to match three adults throughout if required. There’s a really slight transmission tunnel intrusion however it’s hardly something to fret about.
But there may be one factor to fret about within the again – Kia has cheaped out on this base-grade S variant (and the SX above it!) by not providing any directional air vents for rear-seat riders.
It’s such a daft cost-cut that it must be known as out. There are additionally no charging choices within the rear of the cab. Storage within the again contains map pockets and bottle holders, however there’s no flip-down armrest.
As for the bathtub, it’s a class-competitive dimension, however you’re going to wish to buy the equipment catalogue if you would like something aside from 4 tie-down factors and a painted steel end.
You can go for a tub-liner ($415) or a Tub Bed Rug ($854), and to surround the rear you could have the choice of a gentle tonneau cowl ($1065), a tough tonneau in aluminium ($2343), a guide curler cowl ($3619), an electrical curler cowl ($5005), or a alternative of canopies (from $4620).
| Dimensions | Kia Tasman S dual-cab 4×2 |
|---|---|
| Length | 5410mm |
| Width | 1930mm |
| Height | 1870mm |
| Wheelbase | 3270mm |
| Tub size | 1573mm |
| Tub width | 1600mm |
| Tub depth | 543mm |
| Tub capability (VDA) | 1212 litres |
To see how the Kia Tasman strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
What’s below the bonnet?
All Tasmans – even this cheapie – have the identical engine and transmission.
| Specifications | Kia Tasman S 4×2 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.2L 4cyl turbo-diesel |
| Power | 154kW |
| Torque | 440Nm |
| Transmission | 8-speed auto |
| Drive sort | Four-wheel drive |
| Fuel financial system (claimed) | 7.4L/100km |
| Fuel financial system (as examined) | 7.3/100km |
| CO2 emissions (claimed) | 195/km |
| Fuel tank | 80 litres |
| Weight | 2126kg |
| Payload | 1124kg |
| Braked towing capability | 3500kg |
| Gross car mass (GVM) | 3250kg |
| Gross mixture mass (GCM) | 6200kg |
Our check car is rear-wheel drive. If you need 4×4, you possibly can spend an additional $7000 to get it on this spec.
Yep, it does have the identical braked towing capability and GVM/GCM numbers because the 4×4 model, with greater than a tonne of payload. And regardless of that, it doesn’t drive like a truck!
As for gasoline consumption, I managed to see a decrease return than the mixed claimed effectivity determine – doing unladen driving with a powerful mixture of highway-based testing.
It has an 80-litre gasoline tank, and doesn’t have AdBlue to take care of, both. It does have a diesel particulate filter (DPF) although.
To see how the Kia Tasman strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
How does the Kia Tasman drive?
I actually just like the democratic strategy to energy that Kia has utilized to its new Tasman ute.
The acquainted 2.2-litre turbo-diesel is a trusty and keen feeling powertrain, and Kia has clearly finished some work to enhance throttle response and torque supply to make it really feel a bit extra pressing in blended driving conditions to assist with further weight.
But I do discover it just a little bit odd that in case you are on and off the throttle at freeway velocity, it may be overeager to rev – and though it’s comparatively clean, the engine isn’t that quiet. So that may make for a lower than serene expertise.
The powertrain with this eight velocity computerized transmission is as much as the duty, with superb gearing and shift logic for many conditions.
I couldn’t actually fault the behaviour of the auto throughout my time testing, and it’s clean and good at excessive speeds as nicely, eagerly shifting to prime gear at freeway speeds – in contrast to some others that are likely to solely go into prime if you’re powering alongside at doubtlessly unlawful tempo.
I discussed that the engine is a bit loud, and it additionally presents up some minor vibration by way of the cabin. Plus there isn’t a engine cease/begin operate, so there’s no reprieve from that in site visitors conditions both.
The steering is likely one of the large plus factors for the Tasman, although. It feels responsive, direct, properly weighted and nicely remoted from undesirable suggestions. Certainly extra SUV-like than a few of its rivals.
As for the suspension, nicely this work-focused S grade is surprisingly compliant throughout a large mixture of street surfaces even with no load on board.
Admittedly, the comparatively gentle front-end counteracts the somewhat stiff-feeling leaf-sprung rear-end setup, however on stability it comes collectively fairly properly, and it corners with extra enthusiasm than you would possibly anticipate of an enormous sq. ute, that means it presents the most effective journey/dealing with packages in its class.
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The braking response is robust as nicely, with four-wheel discs making for a extra pure feeling in some conditions no less than, and the pedal itself has a very good quantity of development and motion to it.
Even on this base mannequin there are a number of completely different drive modes you possibly can select from, together with Eco, Normal, Sport, My Drive (configurable) and Towing, although this specific car didn’t have a towbar.
That’s an odd spec factor – all Tasman utes have an digital brake controller fitted simply close to the motive force’s knee, however none come normal with a towbar, hitch or harness. Strange.
Now to what I discover to be maybe essentially the most irritating a part of this expertise – disabling the protection methods. There isn’t any reminiscence setting to avoid wasting your profile preferences for the lively security annoyances
That signifies that should you don’t like the motive force monitoring digital camera system (which has two settings – one for driver distraction and one for fatigue monitoring), then you have to to modify it off every time you get again into the automobile and restart the engine.
Thankfully although, you possibly can press and maintain the mute button on the steering wheel to disable the ‘over-speed’ warning, and within the touchscreen there’s a manner you possibly can disable the New Speed Zone warning chime, which is in any other case insufferable and admittedly will get it improper too usually to be useful.
Beyond that you simply’ve additionally acquired lively lane-keeping help which may be disabled by holding a button on the steering wheel as nicely, and I did that the majority occasions I drove this large car, as a result of I discovered it just a little bit pushy by way of the lane holding help.
There’s additionally adaptive cruise management as normal – nice for these longer commutes.
To see how the Kia Tasman strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
What do you get?
All Kia Tasmans come comparatively very nicely outfitted, with a few exceptions.
2025 Kia Tasman S gear highlights:
- 17-inch black metal wheels
- Full-size spare wheel
- LED headlights
- Daytime working lights
- Rear bumper steps
- Tailgate with ‘lift assistance’
- Smart key with push-button begin
- Cloth inside upholstery
- Dual-zone local weather management
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- USB charging ports
- 6-speaker sound system
- Under-seat second-row storage
Choose the 4×4 mannequin and also you’ll additionally rating a mechanical rear differential lock. There are quite a lot of equipment on supply too, together with a set of aspect steps, which might be an easy accessibility improve.
To see how the Kia Tasman strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
Is the Kia Tasman protected?
Kia’s first ute has obtained the utmost five-star ANCAP ranking for all however the top-spec off-road variants, so this one is roofed for these fleet and company prospects who have to tick that field.
| Category | Kia Tasman |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant safety | 85 per cent |
| Child occupant safety | 85 per cent |
| Vulnerable street person safety | 74 per cent |
| Safety help | 80 per cent |
Standard security gear contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Pedestrian, bike owner, junction, car detection
- Adaptive cruise management
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Lane-centring help
- Lane-keep help
- Rear-view digital camera
- Trailer sway management
- Integrated trailer brake controller
If you spend as much as the SX or above you’re going to get Kia’s Highway Driving Assist system and navigation-based adaptive cruise management.
The upper-end X-Line and X-Pro variants add parking collision avoidance help, a surround-view digital camera, and blind-spot cameras.
To see how the Kia Tasman strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
How a lot does the Kia Tasman price to run?
The Kia Tasman has the Korean’s model’s lauded long-warranty cowl, together with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre car guarantee for personal prospects, whereas enterprise patrons get seven years or 150,000km of canopy – additionally whichever comes first.
| Servicing and Warranty | Kia Tasman |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 7 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | Up to eight years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years or 105,000km |
| Average annual service price | $567 (4×2) $585 (4×4) $609 (X-Pro) |
| Total capped-price service price | $3971 (4×2) $4093 (4×4) $4265 (X-Pro) |
If you service inside the Kia Australia workshop community, you rise up to eight years of roadside help too, because it’ll prime up with every service.
Beyond the beneficiant aftersales provisions, although, it is perhaps sensible to plan for potential resale ache, particularly if the rumours of a rushed-through Tasman facelift show to be true.
To see how the Kia Tasman strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
CarExpert’s Take on the Kia Tasman
What a disgrace it isn’t higher trying…
But cease being so superficial! This specific Tasman is a superb budget-friendly dual-cab diesel ute that provides an SUV-like inside with nice area, and it’s good to drive.
It could possibly be a implausible fleet possibility or, for the savvy personal purchaser, an amazing base on which to construct a enjoyable household truck.
CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new Kia Tasman. Click right here to get an amazing deal
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