2025 Kia Tasman: A Narrative Comparison

Design: Love-It-or-Hate-It Sheet-Metal

Early renderings promised a boxy, Jeep-Gladiator-style face, T-shaped DRLs and sharply creased doors; reality delivered exactly that. Reviewers concede the look is “unconventional,” yet Kia argues it “grows on you,” as the bold, bulky and boxy form sparked debate from day one among Australian ute fans .

Platform & Dimensions

• Body-on-frame architecture shared with the Mohave SUV
• Overall length: 213 in (5,410 mm) – longer than Ranger or Tacoma
• Bed volume: 41.4 cu ft; accommodates an Aussie pallet
• Ground clearance: 231 mm (Base/XLine) to 252 mm (X Pro)
  These numbers position the Tasman at the larger end of the midsize spectrum, giving it presence and genuine work-horse capacity.

Powertrains & Performance

Kia eschews V6 bravado (for now) and instead offers two four-cylinder turbo options depending on market:

Kia’s diesel outputs slightly undercut the Ranger’s 154 kW/500 Nm and HiLux’s 150 kW/500 Nm, a shortfall critics highlight when heavy towing is required. Yet the Tasman still matches their 3.5-tonne tow rating with a live rear axle and leaf springs .

Off-Road Focus

The flagship X Pro adds:

• Electronic locking rear diff
• All-terrain tyres & increased ride height
• Terrain Mode selector (Snow, Mud, Sand, Rock, plus region-specific Desert)
• 800 mm wading depth
  Test loops through Australian bushland confirmed the ute “felt composed over rocky articulation and deep ruts,” an impression reinforced after trials across varied Aussie landscapes in the X Pro’s development programme .

Interior: Turning a Workhorse into an SUV Cabin

Twin 12.3-inch displays sit atop a 5-inch climate panel, mirroring Kia’s latest EVs. Reviewers praise abundant rear-seat space, under-seat storage (33–45 L depending on trim), and a fold-out console table that lets owners convert the ute into a mobile office. Kia even offers over-the-air updates and dual wireless chargers, tech rare in this class making it part family car, part tool .

Safety & Warranty

All mainstream trims (S, SX, SX+) secure a five-star ANCAP rating, benefiting from a low pedestrian-friendly front fascia. XLine and X Pro sacrifice this score for better approach angles but still carry Kia’s suite of AEB, Highway Driving Assist 2 and Trailer Sway Control. Every Tasman is covered by a seven-year / unlimited-km warranty that extends to accessories — best in the ute segment .

Market Roll-Out & The Missing USA

Sales begin in South Korea and Australia in H1 2025, followed by Africa and West Asia. The Tasman is unlikely to cross the Pacific because the 25 % “Chicken Tax” would obliterate margins; Kia instead hints an electric pickup may address North America later. Thus the company positions the ute where tariffs are low and demand high, sidestepping U.S. import duties that dog foreign pickups and focusing on EV strategy instead .

Pricing & Trim Walk

Australian pricing (drive-away) ranges from A $46,490 (Tasman S 4×2) to A $77,990 (X Pro 4×4). Those figures undercut premium Rangers while shading above Chinese entrants such as the GWM Cannon. Fleet-minded SX+ buyers can pay under A $63k yet still tow 3.5 t and haul more than a tonne, a value equation analysts believe will attract tradies.

Strengths vs. Weaknesses

Verdict

The 2025 Kia Tasman is more than “just another ute.” By blending family-friendly tech, thoughtful Australian-tuned ride quality and competitive workhorse figures, it lands squarely between budget newcomers and premium incumbents. For buyers who want an SUV interior without sacrificing pallet-ready practicality—and can live with slightly less torque—the Tasman may indeed redefine expectations in the midsize pickup arena.