2025 Kia Tasman ute preview: price, specs and release date in Australia

How much does the 2025 Kia Tasman ute cost in Australia?

Pricing is yet to be confirmed for the Kia Tasman ute in Australia, but with the company listing the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton as its benchmark vehicles, expect a model range that starts in the high $40,000s and heads towards $70,000.

While not a direct competitor due to its lower towing capacity, the sharp pricing of the new BYD Shark 6 PHEV ute may play into Kia Australia's final decision making as that vehicle recently debuted at just $57,900 plus on-road costs.

What are the specs and features of the Kia Tasman ute?

While full pricing is yet to be revealed, Kia has confirmed the Tasman ute offered in Australia will be powered by a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Kia fans hoping for a potent powertrain to arrive with the new Tasman will be disappointed, however. The ‘new’ engine used in the Tasman is an amended version of Kia’s existing 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine, fitted with a larger fan to help it handle offroad conditions. By the numbers, the engine fails to stack up against more potent powerplants including Ford's bi-turbo used in the Ranger.

The Kia Tasman generates 150kW and 441Nm, with the brand targeting fuel economy around 7.5L/100km, putting it on a par with the less powerful 2.4-litre turbo diesel engine used in Toyota's entry model dual-cab HiLux Workmate.

While the ute is set to be an important part of Kia’s model mix in Australia, the Tasman's biggest market is expected to be Saudi Arabia, where it will also be available with a 2.5-Litre turbo petrol engine and optional manual gearbox.

Will the Kia Tasman be any good off-road?

Full specifications for the Kia Tasman are yet to be confirmed but engineering information released at the global design reveal in Tasmania indicated the ute will have a wading depth of 800mm (under 7km/h), comparable with the Ford Ranger Wildtrak and Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain.

The Kia Tasman features an all-new ladder frame platform and promises aggressive approach, rampover and departure angles - although no numbers were shared at the reveal event. A low range gearbox will be available in the all-wheel drive Tasman variants along with Sand, Mud, Snow and Rock drive modes. A dedicated off-road mode called X-Trek will be fitted to the range topping Tasman X-Pro model variant, which includes a crawl control feature to enable controlled driving on complex terrain.

During the ute's developmental phase, Kia says engineers put the new Tasman ute through its paces in the Australian outback and deserts of Saudi Arabia, as well as cold weather testing in Sweden and extreme inclines and declines in the USA. When quizzed, Kia executives said they were confident the Tasman Ute would acquit itself against the best-selling Ford Ranger, which was used as a direct comparison vehicle in engineering evaluations.

What models will be available in the Kia Tasman ute range?

The Kia Tasman will be available in three dual-cab configurations – a rear-wheel drive entry model, and two four-wheel drive models, the X-Line and X-PRO. 

The Kia Tasman X-Pro promises the best off-road performance of the three models thanks to its 252mm ground clearance. It is fitted with 17-inch gloss-black wheels shod with all-terrain tyres. 

Cab chassis and single cab variants are also available with a range of configurations whether the driver is focused on load carrying or camping off the beaten track.

Kia says the Tasman ute has been created to combine lifestyle needs with commercial applications, and has been developed to be customisable, with a range of factory developed accessories available from launch.

Thirteen accessory products will be on offer for the Tasman, including a steel tray, canopy, towbar kit, two types of side steps, bull bar and safari bar, snorkel, tub racks and towing mirrors. Developed by Kia, it is expected that Australian accessories will be manufactured by leading offroad aftermarket suppliers.

Storage and load carrying has also been well considered with four bed accessory options available – Single Decker, Double Decker, Sports Bar and Ladder Rack, with the first three available from launch.

The Tasman Single Decker features a canopy and butterfly doors for easy access, as well as a rack for a rooftop tent.

The Tasman Double Decker features a sliding tonneau cover and butterfly doors, enabling a customisable cargo space.

The Sports Roll Bar variant comes with a functional frame for mounting outdoor lifestyle items such as surfboards or off-road recovery boards, while the Ladder Rack variant features a ladder-type rack and is also compatible with rooftop tents.

What is the Kia Tasman exterior design like?

Despite Kia's press release claiming Kia's designers weren't "relying on the oversized styling that has come to dominate the pickup segment," the Kia Tasman is longer, wider and taller than the current Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, making it the largest vehicle in its class.

It is 5.41m long (60cm longer than the Ranger), 1.93m wide and 1.87m tall (1.925m with fitted roofrack).

Its front grille has a clean familial ties with Kia's boxier car designs including the Kia EV9 and Kia EV5 electric vehicles. The side profile is dominated by large squared off fenders which have been designed to integrate lighting at the front and storage and fuel filler cap at the rear. 

Will the Kia Tasman work for tradies?

Kia says it has talked to potential Tasman customers and reviewed the ute's design with its dealers to ensure it meets the needs of multiple types of ute buyers, especially tradies. The tray space will carry either an Aussie pallet or Euro pallet and is 1.572m long. That makes it longer than the Ford Ranger's tray (1.462m) but it is narrower between the wheel housings (1.186m v 1.217m). The Tasman's tray has available lighting and a 240V power socket while corner steps on either side enable drivers to gain easier access to the tray space.

The Kia Tasman will tow 3500kg, has a downball weight of 350kg and a payload of 1000kg which is reduced on lease vehicles. Kia is also hoping to confirm an integrated trailer brake control will be available on Tasman.

What is the Kia Tasman interior like?

Kia sought to create a new benchmark in the ute category for premium cabin feel, and early versions of the vehicle on show at the reveal event confirm its a step above some competitors. The Kia Tasman is outsized in comparison to its competition, with designers employing tricks including making the windscreen upright to increase internal space.

The Tasman ute is equipped with Kia’s widescreen infotainment set up which combines two 12.3-inch screens and a smaller heating and ventilation screen. Expect Apple Carplay and Android Auto integration as well as features such as an optional Harman Kardon 12 speaker audio system and dual wireless chargers.

The large infotainment screen also plays host to the Kia Tasman’s camera system which can be activated while offroad to show position within tricky terrain.

Clever ideas throughout the interior including a table which folds out from the front centre armrest, which is a great spot to rest a laptop to work on the go. There's a dual glovebox, door bins that will easily hold large folders and clipboads, zipped pockets on the rear of the front seats and a capacious 33-litre storage spot under the rear seats which bests all other utes.

Front seats are likely to feature heated and ventilated functions, while rear seat passengers will travel in comfort with adjustable back rests that tilt up to 30 degrees. The Kia Tasman's oversized design extends to the rear seat which promises best in class headroom, legroom and shoulder room. It certainly appears wide enough for three adults to fit comfortably across the rear - which is important for tradies transporting colleagues, or families looking for a roomy ute to house car seats or teenagers.

How safe is the Kia Tasman ute?

Kia says Australian fleet buyers told them a five-star ANCAP rating was a non-negotiable so Tasman has integrated passive and active safety systems such as a suite of airbags including a centre side airbag.

On board safety technology includes Kia's effective blind spot view monitor, highway driving assist, blind spot collision avoidance assist, driver attention monitor, remote smart parking assist and rear cross traffic collision avoidance assist.

The Tasman is not currently ANCAP rating but is expected to undergo testing mid-2025.

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