Kia has officially entered the pickup truck segment — and not quietly. The all-new Kia Tasman, the brand’s first-ever ute, makes a powerful debut with rugged off-road credentials, impressive towing and payload capabilities, and a level of refinement not typically found in this class. This isn’t just another dual-cab with a badge swap — the Tasman is an all-new platform engineered from the ground up to challenge the established players.
At its core, the Tasman is a body-on-frame truck, purpose-built for durability and versatility. Payloads of up to 1,151kg and a 3,500kg towing capacity put it in line with the top contenders in the mid-size ute category. The chassis, suspension, and underbody have all been tuned with real-world off-road use in mind, and it shows.
Ground clearance is up to 252mm on the off-road-focused X-Pro model, with approach and departure angles that make easy work of rough tracks: 32.2 degrees at the front and 26.2 at the rear. Kia uses a high-mount double-wishbone front suspension and a leaf-sprung solid axle at the rear, a familiar formula, but enhanced with frequency-sensitive dampers and model-specific tires — HT for highway driving and chunkier ATs for off-road work.
All 4WD variants, including the X-Line and X-Pro, come with a Two-Speed Active Transfer Case offering selectable 2H, 4H, 4L, and an automatic 4A mode. An Electronic Locking Differential and multiple terrain modes (including a dedicated “Desert” setting for Middle East markets) give the Tasman genuine go-anywhere ability.
Kia has also introduced X-Trek Mode, an off-road crawl feature that maintains low speeds under 10 km/h without throttle input. This system is complemented by high-mounted powertrains and a snorkel-style air intake 950mm off the ground, allowing the Tasman to ford water up to 800mm deep.
To ensure this capability isn’t just theoretical, the Tasman was tested across a range of extreme environments — from the frozen landscapes of Sweden to the burning sands of the UAE and Australian Outback.
The Tasman’s engine lineup reflects its global ambitions. Australia gets a 2.2L turbo-diesel (210PS / 441Nm), paired with an eight-speed automatic and capable of a 0–100 km/h time of 10.4 seconds. Other markets can opt for a 2.5L turbo-petrol making 281PS and 421Nm, accelerating the Tasman to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds.
To match the 3.5-tonne tow rating, Kia has integrated heavy-duty cooling systems — with air- and water-cooled oil coolers, a beefed-up radiator, and a Tow Mode that adjusts transmission behavior for improved load handling. Trailer tech includes Trailer Stability Assist and Kia’s first Trailer Brake Controller.
The Tasman’s tub is just as well thought out as its mechanicals. With a cargo volume of 1,212L, the bed fits a standard pallet and offers features like divider slots, tie-down rails, lighting, and a 220V inverter. Kia’s genuine accessories list includes everything from canopies and tray slides to side steps and bed covers.
Inside, Kia has stretched the limits of what’s expected in a pickup. The rear seats feature segment-first reclining and best-in-class legroom. A wide-opening rear door (up to 80 degrees) simplifies loading, while under-seat storage and a folding console table add more day-to-day usability.
Kia hasn’t skimped on refinement, either. Acoustic glass, upgraded insulation, and meticulous sealing give the cabin a quiet, premium feel. The infotainment system impresses with a Panoramic Wide Display — a trio of digital screens including a 12.3-inch cluster, 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and a 5-inch secondary display. It’s powered by Kia’s latest Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) system, and paired with a Harman Kardon sound system.
Off-road aids include a Ground View Monitor, showing underbody terrain through the infotainment screen, and an Off-Road Page displaying key data like engine and cooling performance in real time.
The Tasman isn’t just a strong first effort — it’s a serious challenger in the mid-size pickup space. Kia’s extensive durability testing (dubbed “One More Round” — 1,777 tests across 18,000 evaluation cycles) has paid off, resulting in a truck that’s as comfortable hauling gear and towing trailers as it is tackling tough trails or daily commutes.
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