Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that the Kia Tasman is Kia’s first
ute.
And it has a big task ahead of it as Kia attempts to acquire a chunk of the lucrative
light commercial market.
Now the number four brand in the Australian market, the South Korean car maker
has come a long way in the past decade.
But it can’t take the fight up to market leader Toyota without a ute as part of its
arsenal — and what a ute it is.
Together with partner Hyundai, the pair are now number two in sales, with Toyota in
its sights.
STYLING
The Tasman dual cab ute is priced from $46,490 driveaway for the 4×2 S.
There are five grades: S, SX, SX+, X-Line, and X-Pro, with all but the entry S four-
wheel drive.
Single Cab Chassis is offered in either S 4×2 ($38,010), S 4×4 ($45,010), or SX 4×4
($49,520), while the Dual Cab Chassis comes as either S 4×4 ($48,240) or SX 4×4
($52,740).
On road costs must be added to the cab chassis prices, but the following dual cab
figures are driveaway — no more to pay.
The Dual Cab Pick-Up spans all five grades, from S 4×2 ($46,490) to S 4×4
($53,890), SX 4×4 ($58,490), SX+ 4×4 ($66,490), X-Line 4×4 ($70,990), and X-Pro
4×4 ($77,990).
In this report we’re looking at the dual cab version and our test vehicle was the top-
of-the-line X-Pro priced from $77,990 driveaway.
The Kia design team has deliberately shunned the familiar form language that has
dominated the pickup genre for decades.
It says this fresh approach 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.
Note the X-Line and X-Pro are fitted with a differently styled grille and front bumper.
Standard equipment includes 17-inch steel wheels, cloth trim and dual zone climate
air, adaptive cruise control, auto high beam, dusk-sensing lights, auto wipers for SX+
and above, auto-dimming rear view mirror on SX+ and above, LED head and
daytime running lights, smart key with push-button start, front and rear parking
sensors, and integrated trailer brake control.
By the time you get to X-Pro there’s alloys with all-terrain rubber, artificial leather
trim, tinted windows, heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel, power adjust
front seats, ambient mood lighting, tilt and slide sunroof, auto-dip on reverse mirrors,
front, side and reverse parking sensors as well as a tray liner — to name some
features.
Tasman includes the brand’s 10 must-have sustainability items such as a crash pad
made from bio-plastics, seats crafted with recycled PET fabric and bio-PU synthetic
leather, a paint composition that includes BTX-free and bio-paint, and an interior
carpet is made from recycled PET material.
Tasman is covered by Kia’s 7-year unlimited kilometre warranty, with 3, 5 and 7-year
prepaid service plans available.
INFOTAINMENT
Kia’s latest integrated infotainment display, comprises a 12.3-inch driver screen, 5.0-
inch climate control and 12.3-inch multimedia displays.
There’s also voice control, multi-connect Bluetooth, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio,
with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Sounds of Nature background noise,
six-speaker generic audio and Kia Connect with intelligent remote-control functions
as well as innovative in-car services and Over-The-Air (OTA) updates.
SX adds built-in satellite navigation, while X-Line adds double wireless phone
charging and X-Pro adds eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound.
Weirdly SX+ only gets single wireless charging. Stepping up to the X-Line reverts to
a double charger.
There are two USB-C ports in the front as well as a 12-volt outlet and another two
USB-C ports on the side of the front seats for use in the back, along with a 240-volt
outlet.
The position of the front passenger seat can also be adjusted from the back.
SAFETY
Tasman gets a five-star rating for safety from the ANCAP organisation, but this rating
specifically excludes the X-Line and X-Pro versions of the ute which remain unrated.
Seven airbags are standard, including a centre airbag which provides added
protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes.
There’s also a 360-degree reversing, together with Autonomous emergency braking
(Car-to-Car, Vulnerable Road User, Junction & Crossing and Head-On), as well as a
lane support system with lane keep assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW) and
emergency lane keeping (ELK), and an advanced speed assistance system (SAS)
are standard across the lineup.
Notably absent on the top-of-the-line X-Pro is head-up display.
Two top tether and two ISOFix child restraint anchor points are provided in the rear.
A full-size alloy spare is provided.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The 2.2-litre engine produces 154kW of power at 3800 rpm and 440Nm of torque
from 1750-2750 rpm.
It’s paired with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission, including paddle
shifters.
DRIVING
Based on an all-new ladder chassis platform, Tasman has a kerb weight of 2237kg
and is 5410mm long, 1930mm wide, with a 3270mm wheelbase and in the case of
X-Pro stands 1920mm high.
The off-road focused X-Pro has been specifically engineered for off-road
performance, with 252mm of ground clearance and an 800mm water fording ability.
It’s equipped with 17-inch gloss-black alloys with all-terrain tyres and offers
enhanced off-road performance thanks to a 28mm higher ride height.
There are also no pesky side steps to get hung up on, but of course that makes entry
and exit more difficult for the 99 per cent of the time it will spend on the road.
Suspension is double-wishbone at the front with a rigid axle and leaf springs under
the back, incorporating vertically mounted shock absorbers to ensure more effective
damping and greater control, even at the extremes of suspension travel.
The suspension units are enhanced by Kia’s frequency selective Sensitive Damper
Control (SDC) and Hydraulic Rebound Stop technology.
The brakes are ventilated discs front and back.
A gross vehicle mass of 3250kg across all variants, contributes to a gross
combination mass (GCM) rating of 6200kg.
All Tasmans can carry a payload in excess of one tonne, with even the better
equipped X-Pro 4×4 capable of carrying 1013kg. All grades are rated to tow 3500kg
braked load.
Dual cab variants are also available with a reduced payload option specifically at
meeting the criteria for novated leases, which often require a payload of under
1000kg.
Helping to make towing heavier loads as safe as possible is an Integrated Trailer
Brake Controller (ITBC) which integrates with Towing Mode (TBC), enabling the
driver to set up specific loads and optimise all other towing related functions
including Trailer Sway Control.
Dual Cab pick-up set a new benchmark for tub size, at 1512mm in length, 1572mm
wide and 540mm deep, with the ability to accommodate an Australian-sized pallet.
Given its size we expected more legroom in the back, but it’s not much more than
adequate.
X-Line and X-Pro feature under-seat storage with a slide and recline function for the
second-row seating.
Another segment first is a folding console table on X-Line and X-Pro.
Rear bumper corner steps provide easy access to the tub which has two lights plus a
240-volt power outlet.
However, the plastic corner steps appear prone to damage because of their position
and one had already received a scrape.
The dash with its sweeping infotainment panel is a feature of most models in the Kia
lineup, but the surrounding honeycomb trim is a departure.
Separate controls are provided for volume and air, with other touch sensitive shortcut
buttons located below the air vents.
However, there’s no shortcut for the radio which we found difficult to access.
Powered by Kia’s proven R2.2 turbo-diesel, Tasman is built for durability and
longevity.
The dash from 0-100km/h takes 10.4 seconds and, with an 80-litre tank, fuel
consumption is a claimed 8.1L/100km. That gives it a theoretical range of 988km.
The advanced 4×4 system includes a low-range transfer case, rear differential lock,
and an intelligent traction control system – the requisite for serious off-road
adventure.
A Ground View Monitor (GVM) provides drivers with a further level of confidence
while traversing challenging off-road terrain.
Drive is to the rear wheels in 2H, or to all four wheels as required in 4A.
Lock in 4H and Drive is split evenly between the front and rear wheels.
Moving to 4L requires stopping and putting transmission it engages, which takes only
a few seconds.
Drive modes include Eco, Sport, Normal, Tow and MyDrive, plus Snow, Mud, Sand,
Rock all-terrain selections.
There’s also an off-road section in the infotainment system.
It’s a lot of information to digest, so we’ve tried to keep it to the essentials.
With zero preconceptions, we found Tasman engaging and comfortable to drive, with
predictable handling.
Even Mrs Riley enjoyed driving this one and she’s no pushover.
We took the time to take the X-Pro for a spin down our favourite fire trail, which
includes some low range sections.
No worries. Tasman is just as enjoyable and capable to drive off-road as it is on.
It feels relaxed and confident, and ride quality is impressive — even over rough
terrain.
This is a real ute, not a pretend one, with the necessary credentials to take up the
fight to the three established utes that are now a regular inclusion in the list of the top
10 selling vehicles in Australia.
We clocked up 534km at a rate of 8.9L/100km. A 60km run down the freeway
returned 6.5L while the trip computer showed a long-term average of 11.2L after
3700km.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
SUMMING UP
Kia Tasman is good and it had to be, as Kia’s first offering in this segment of the
market.
It’s easier to lose customers than it is to win them back again and Tasman has all the
hallmarks of a winner.
Having said that, buyers, especially ute buyers, tend to be followers of fashion — and
that means they want the same Hilux or Ranger as their mates.
Tasman’s styling will be polarising and we note both the brand and name are
stamped on the tailgate, just so there’s no mistaking it for anything else.
At the end of the day there’s no point doing the same old thing as everyone else, is
there? But who’ll be the first to break ranks?
RATINGS:
Looks: 8/10
Performance: 7.5/10
Safety: 7.5/10
Thirst: 8/10
Practicality: 7.5/10
Comfort: 7/10
Tech: 7.5/10
Value: 7.5/10
Overall: 7.6/10
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP:
Tasman S 4×2: $46,490
Tasman S 4×4: $53,890
Tasman SX 4×4: $58,490
Tasman SX+ 4×4: $66,490
Tasman X-Line: $70,990
Tasman X-Pro 4×4: $77,990
Note: These prices are drive-away, no more to pay.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Kia Tasman X-Pro, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, 8spd automatic, high/low dual range all-
wheel drive, 5-seat dual cab utility
ENGINE:
Capacity: 2.2 litres
Configuration: 4-cyl in-line diesel, turbocharged
Maximum power: 154 kW @ 3800 rpm
Maximum torque: 440 Nm @ 1750-2750 rpm
Fuel type: Diesel
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 8.1 L/100km
CO2 emissions: 214 g/km
DRIVELINE:
8spd automatic, AWD
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 5410 mm
Width: 1930 mm
Height: 1920 mm
Wheelbase: 3270 mm
Kerb weight: 2237 kg
Turning circle: 12.3 m
Fuel tank: 80 l
BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Seven years / unlimited kilometres
