Ready, willing and Abel

The Kia Tasman is an intriguing and impressive entrant in a hotly contested market.

Story + Photo Mark Muller

As a car manufacturer, you only get one shot at launching a dual-cab ute into Australia’s fiercely competitive and potentially lucrative market. For Korean giant Kia, the Tasman is that shot. Named after 17th-century Dutch explorer Abel Tasman – the determined seafarer who also lent his name to our southernmost state – this ute is Kia’s crack at market leaders Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux.

Kia knows how to bolt things together and is excellent at integrating technology into its cabins. Drawing on its own expertise and that of parent company Hyundai, Kia has brought plenty of experience to bear on the Tasman. The company also threw the kitchen sink – and a constellation of sporting stars – into its marketing push. Beneath that sits more than four years of Australian testing and development. Local engineers helped tune the suspension, steering and drivetrain for our unique conditions. The unofficial goal? Build something more capable off-road than a Hilux, and more comfortable on-road than a Ranger.

After OUTBACK’s initial test drive in the Blue Mountains and a subsequent 2,800km road trip across NSW, Victoria and SA, we can confirm it’s no show pony. The Tasman is composed on gnarly 4WD trails and equally at home eating up the highway miles. Across a week of driving, the 2.2L four-cylinder turbo-diesel returned an average of just over 8L/100km across everything from freeways to gravel tracks.

Looks are another story. The Tasman’s slab sides, wide-set eyes and square nose have proven polarising. You’ll either go with it or you won’t. Inside, however, Kia has nailed it. The cabin is spacious, quiet and well thought out. The dual 31cm displays and digital climate hub of Kia’s connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) give a clean, functional interface, while a solid array of physical buttons handles the essentials – air-con, audio and shortcuts – without the need to poke at a touchscreen.

At launch, five dual-cab grades are available, with cab-chassis and single-cab variants to follow. All share the same ladder frame and drivetrain. The range starts with the S ($42,990 + onroads), which comes with 17-inch steel wheels, LED lighting and a full-size spare. Next, the SX adds alloy wheels, terrain drive modes and navigation. The SX+ brings LED fog lights, a lined tub, wireless phone charging and 240-volt outlets for power tools or a fridge. The X-Line ($67,990) is a premium all-rounder with heated seats, roof rails and a suite of driver aids that smooth out long trips. At the top sits the X-Pro ($74,990), a more off-road-focused variant with all-terrain tyres, underbody protection, an electronic rear diff lock, and an added ‘rock’ mode on top of the standard snow, sand and mud settings.

All Tasmans use the same engine found in the Kia Carnival, producing 154kW and 440Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox from the Stinger. While it’s not the gruntiest mill in the paddock, it’s strong and refined. With a 3,500kg braked towing capacity, 350kg tow-ball limit and a gross vehicle mass of 3,250kg, it’s built for work. Payloads exceed a tonne across much of the range, and the tub will swallow a standard Aussie pallet between its wheel arches. The upper models feature a bedliner, bumper steps, adjustable tie-downs and a 400W power plug in the tray.

Despite its strengths, the Tasman’s early sales have been slower than Kia hoped. It’s tracking below its 20,000-unit annual target – perhaps unsurprising in a market dominated by Toyota and Ford. But that could be good news for buyers. Discounts and drive-away deals may make it a bargain for those willing to take a punt. The Tasman was recently described to OUTBACK as, “the ute you need, even if it’s not the ute you want”. Unfair? Possibly. The Tasman won’t win any beauty contests, but it’s well-built, thoughtfully equipped and genuinely capable. There are still unknowns – particularly around long-term durability and after-sales service in rural areas, where Toyota’s entrenched network remains king. It will take a few years to see how the Tasman stands up to life in the bush.

For now, though, Kia’s first ute has made a strong debut. OUTBACK handed back the keys impressed by its comfort, build quality and composure. This might just be the right moment to lean in, take a closer look and perhaps score yourself a deal.