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

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

Order books are now open for the Kia Tasman Ute Dual Cab Pick-Up models, with a full range of 4x2 and 4x4 variants on offer from $42,990.

Pricing is competitive with the best-selling vehicles in the segment, with the Kia Tasman 4x2 S undercutting the most affordable Ford Ranger.

Dual Cab Pick-Up trims will arrive in Australia in July 2025, followed by Dual Cab Chassis models in August and Single Cab Chassis in late 2025. Kia Australia says pricing for the remainder of the range will be announced later in 2025.

Kia Tasman Dual Cab Pick-Up models will be available in five trims: S, SX, SX+, X-Line and X-Pro. Single Cab Chassis is offered in S 4x2, S 4x4 and SX 4x4, while Dual Cab Chassis models will be either S 4x4 or SX 4x4.

What features are available on the Kia Tasman ute?

Kia Tasman S

• 17” black steel wheels
• Full-size spare wheel
• Front parking sensors (Pick-Up only)
• Rear parking sensors
• Rear View Camera (Pick-Up only)
• Smart Cruise Control
• Drive Mode Select
• LED Headlights (MFR Type)
• Daytime Running Lights
• Trailer Sway Control
• Smart Key with Push Button Start
• Rear Bumper Steps (Pick-Up only)
• Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
• Tailgate with Lift Assistance (Pick-Up only)
• Integrated Panoramic Display (12.3” Digital Driver Cluster + 5” HVAC + 12.3” Multimedia Screen)
• Kia Connect with OTA
• LED Interior Lights
• FCA 2
• Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity
• Cloth trim seats
• Dual-zone climate control
• 6 Speakers
• 2nd Row under-seat storage

SX (In addition to S)

• 17” alloy wheels
• Terrain Mode: Snow, Sand, Mud
• Safety Power Window – 1st Row
• Inbuilt Satellite Navigation
• Highway Driving Assist 2
• Smart Cruise Control - Nav based
• Electric folding side mirrors

SX+ (In addition to SX)

• 18” alloy wheels
• Cloth/artificial leather seats
• LED fog lights
• Ambient Mood Lighting (Light)
• 2nd row air vents
• Bedliner
• 2 x 240V power outlets (tub & behind centre console)
• Wireless charging pad (single)

X-Line (In addition to SX+)

• Column-type shifter (E-SBW)
• Paddle shifters
• Privacy glass
• Roof rails – Bridge type
• 2nd row armrest
• Wireless charger (double)
• Rear fender flare storage*
• RSPA
• Parking Collision Avoidance Assist
• Surround View Monitor
• Blind-spot View Monitor
• LED Headlights (projection Type)
• Heated seats – 1st row
• Artificial leather appointed seats
• Powered driver seat – 8-way
• 2nd row slide/reclining seats

X-Pro (In addition to X-Line)

• 17” black alloy wheels with A/T tyres
• Electronic locking differential with on/off switch
• X-Trek Mode
• Terrain Mode: Snow, Sand, Mud, ROCK
• Ground View Monitor
• Premium Sound System (Harmon Kardon)
• Fuel tank undercover protection
• Heated steering wheel
• Ambient Mood Lighting (Full)
• Heated seats – 2nd row
• Ventilated seats – 1st row
• Powered passenger seat – 8-way
• Integrated Memory System
• Sunroof
• Off-Road Page (steering direction, steering angle, oil levels, etc)

What are the specifications of the Kia Tasman ute?

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 154kW and 440Nm, 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?

Engineering information released at the global design reveal event 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 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. 

The Kia Tasman features an all-new ladder frame platform and promises aggressive approach, rampover and departure angles - although no numbers have yet been publishedt. 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 is the payload of the Kia Tasman?

All Kia Tasman vehicles will offer payload ratings in excess of 1000kg, with the range topping X-Pro 4x4 offering a payload of 1013kg. The best payload on offer in the range will be available in the base S 4x2 Single Cab Chassis model, rated for 1124kg.

Kia has also engineered specific variants of the Tasman to meet novated lease rules which require a payload under 1000kgs. Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) for all variants is rated at 3250kg with Tasman offering a Gross Combination Mass (GCM) rating of 6200kg.

How much can the Kia Tasman tow?

The Kia Tasman's Gross Combination Mass figure has been calculated based on a braked towing rate of 3500kg, the industry standard for most light commercial utes. Unbraked towing is limited to 750kg.

All Kia Tasman utes are fitted with an integrated trailer brake controller (ITBC) which allows electronic trailer brakes to be calibrated to optimise stability with an override function available for the driver. Towing Mode allows the driver to set up for towing and access safety features including Trailer Sway Control

What accessories are available for the Kia Tasman?

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 their designers weren't "relying on the oversized styling that has come to dominate the pick-up 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 with an overall capacity of 1173-litres (VDA).

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.

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. Apple Carplay and Android Auto integration as well as features such as an optional Harman Kardon 12 speaker audio system and dual wireless chargers are available

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 45-litre storage spot under the rear seats which bests all other utes.

Depending on variant, front seats will 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. Check our Kia Tasman features list to see which vehicle gets which features as driver assistance tech varies depending on model.

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

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