Kia has officially revealed the Tasman to local media in Tasmania at the same time as the global launch. It’s Kia’s first-ever pickup truck and it looks nothing like the images created by media outlets when Kia told the world a ute was coming. It looks rugged, and almost polarising, compared to the competition it will face in Australia.
This latest addition complements Kia’s extensive lineup of sedans, SUVs, commercial vehicles, and PBVs (Platform Beyond Vehicle), marking a significant shift for the brand. The Tasman aims to redefine what a pickup can offer, designed to be equally suitable for both work and leisure, inviting users to “Dive into a New Dimension.”
A New Era of Lifestyle-Focused Pickups
The Tasman brings together Kia’s legacy in SUV development, including models like the Mohave, to deliver a versatile vehicle capable of tackling all terrains. It caters to a growing demand for lifestyle-oriented pickups, offering cutting-edge technology, robust off-road capabilities, and premium convenience. According to Kia President and CEO Ho Sung Song, the Tasman “combines true pickup values with exceptional capability and practicality,” catering to outdoor adventurers and small business operators alike, such as traders and farmers.
Distinctive Exterior Design
Rejecting traditional pickup aesthetics, the Tasman boasts a fresh, minimalistic design that highlights its solid power. The exterior is characterised by a wide radiator grille, a bold bumper, and Kia’s signature Tiger Face front design, combined with vertically oriented headlamps. The upright windshield and rear glass give the Tasman a distinctive silhouette, while practical features like a unique fender design, integrated storage, and a bold tailgate enhance its utilitarian nature.
The Tasman is available in nine colours, including familiar options like Clear White and Aurora Black Pearl, as well as new shades such as Tan Beige and Denim Blue.
Interior: Practicality Meets Comfort
Inside, the Tasman offers a rugged yet refined cabin with innovative features. The interior prioritises simplicity and functionality, with large air vents, a multi-function steering wheel, and a panoramic widescreen that combines a 12.3-inch driver display, a 5-inch information screen, and another 12.3-inch infotainment system. For music lovers, an optional eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system complements the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
The Tasman’s interior focuses on comfort, boasting best-in-segment headroom, shoulder room, and second-row legroom. Rear seats can recline between 22 and 30 degrees, and a folding console table allows the vehicle to transition into a mobile office. Additionally, innovative features such as dual wireless charging pads and hidden storage bins contribute to its class-leading 33 litres of storage capacity.
Engine Options and Performance
The Kia Tasman will be offered with different engine options depending on the market. In Korea, it will feature a 2.5-litre petrol engine producing 281PS and 421Nm of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds. In Australia, it will launch with a 2.2-litre diesel engine, delivering 210PS and 441Nm of torque, with 0-100 km/h reached in 10.4 seconds. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Tasman’s body-on-frame design ensures durability, with an optimised composite bush structure and advanced suspension systems that enhance handling and comfort on all terrains. The vehicle is also equipped with Kia’s frequency-selective Sensitive Damper Control and Hydraulic Rebound Stop technology, minimising cabin vibration.
Off-Road Capability
All-wheel drive (AWD) comes standard on the X-Line and X-Pro trims and is optional on the base model. The AWD system offers three driving modes—ECO, Smart, and Sport—along with additional terrain modes like Sand, Mud, Snow, and Rock for all-wheel-drive variants. In the X-Pro model, a Rock mode and an Electronic Locking Differential (e-LD) enhance off-road performance. The Tasman’s ground clearance and water-fording capability (up to 800mm) further solidify its off-road credentials.
The Tasman also features Kia’s Ground View Monitor, which provides drivers with a clear view of ground-level obstacles, making it easier to manoeuvre in challenging environments.
Practical Features for Work and Leisure
Kia has designed the Tasman with small business owners and outdoor enthusiasts in mind. Standard features include corner steps for easier access to the load bed, an illuminated cargo area, and a power outlet (240 volts in Australia) for tools or electronics. The load bed measures 1,512mm in length, offering best-in-class cargo capacity of 1,173 litres. The Tasman can handle a maximum payload of 1,195kg and tow up to 3,500kg.
The bed can be customised with four accessory configurations: Single Decker, Double Decker, Sports Bar, and Ladder Rack, along with 13 accessory products, including side steps and beadlock-style wheels. The Single Decker variant features a canopy with butterfly doors, while the Double Decker comes with a sliding tonneau cover.
Advanced Safety and Technology
The Tasman is equipped with advanced safety features, including Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Key functions like lane-keeping assist, blind-spot collision warning, and remote parking assist are part of the Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) suite, with trailer profile functionality that adjusts driving characteristics when towing.
The Tasman has undergone rigorous testing, completing over 18,000 evaluations across various conditions. It debuted at the Jeddah Motor Show, with plans to launch in Korea in early 2025, followed by introductions in Australia, Africa, and the Middle East.
The Kia Tasman marks an ambitious step into the pickup segment, blending practicality, versatility, and innovative design. Whether for work or play, the Tasman promises to be a reliable companion, embodying Kia’s ethos of delivering bold, progressive vehicles for all lifestyles.
Kia Tasman Specifications
| Trim | X-PRO | X-LINE | BASE | |||||
| Overlength | 5,410 mm | |||||||
| Width | 1,930 mm | |||||||
| Height (incl. roof rack) | 1,920mm | 1,890mm | 1,870mm | |||||
| Wheelbase | 3,270 mm | |||||||
| Ground clearance | ||||||||
| 2WD | X | X | 231 | |||||
| 4WD | 252 | 224 | 224 | |||||
| Engine type | Engine | Power | Max torque | Transmission | 0-100 km/h/Max speed | |||
| 6MT | 8AT | |||||||
| Gasoline Theta 3 | G4KIII FR 2.5 Turbocharged GDI | 281 PS | 421 Nm | – | A8TR1-1 | 8.5 s/185 km/h | ||
| Diesel New R | D4HIII FR 2.2 | 210 PS | 441 Nm | M6VR2 | A8TR1-1 | 10.4 s/185 km/h | ||
| Fuel efficiency | Gasoline Theta 3 (4WD) : 8km/ℓDiesel New R (4WD) : 13.2km/ℓ※ The above fuel efficiency is a target and may be subject to change after certification | |||||||
| Fuel tank capacity | 80 L | |||||||
| Tire | 17″AT | 18″HT | 17~18″HT | |||||
| Specialised features | Trailer brake controller (TBC), DBC/X-trek mode, eLD, 4wd mode switch (2H/4A/4H,4L) | |||||||
| Specialised control | X-TREK (Low speed driving assist) | DBC (Downhill Brake Control) | DBC (Downhill Brake Control) | |||||
| Terrain mode | +Rock mode | Snow/Mud/Sand(Desert) | Snow/Mud/Sand(Desert) | |||||
| Wading performance | 800 mm, under 7 km/h | |||||||
| Towing capacity | 3,500 kg | |||||||
| Load capacity | 1,173 L (VDA) | |||||||
| Payload capacity | 1,017kg ~ 1,195 kg | |||||||
| Convenience features | Panoramic Wide Display (12.3″+5″12.3″)SVM, SBW, Harman Kardon premium sound, center console table, side storage (6.3L), 2nd row seat storage (33L), 2nd row slouch & slide seat | |||||||
| Bed convenience | Bed outlet 220V, Bed lamp, Corner step, Side storage (6.3L) | |||||||
| Towing ADAS features | Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Blind Collision Warning | |||||||
| Other convenience functions | RSPA (Entry), HDA2/1, GVM, Digital Key 2.0※ Function applied only to legally compliant areas | |||||||
[1] Accessories will be grouped into packages, and availability may vary by region.
