Dual cab utes are one of Australia’s most popular tow vehicle options, and Kia Corporation recently launched its first dual cab ute — the Kia Tasman.
Featuring 3500kg braked towing capacity, more than 1000kg payload and backed by an established name known for its quality and reliability, the Kia Tasman has a distinctive look and some intriguing features.
What do we know so far?
Joining Kia’s lineup of sedan, SUV, commercial and PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) models, the Kia Tasman has set the benchmark for Kia’s future dual cab ute range. And designed with input from Australian engineers, this Korean car manufacturer is hoping to compete with Australia’s most popular utes, such as the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.
There are three variants on offer: the base model and the X-Line and the X-Pro variants which area geared towards offroad travel.
All three will feature a 3500kg braked towing capacity, which puts them in line with other leading competitors. The payload is one of the Kia Tasman’s impressive features, varying between 1017kg to 1195kg, depending on the variant.
If you’re looking for a serious offroader that can tow, the X-Pro is the way to go. It features 252mm of ground clearance (28mm more than the base model), and 17-inch gloss-black wheels with all terrain tyres.
The X-Line is also geared towards offroad travel but comes with larger 18-inch alloy wheels and highway and terrain tyres.
Kia also offers customisable chassis cab variants so that buyers can create a model that suits their specific requirements, and single cab options to optimise storage space in the ute tray by removing the second row of seats.
Power and offroad performance
While the Kia Tasman will launch globally with two engine options, only the new 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine (four-cylinder) has been confirmed for the Australian reconfiguration, with the choice between either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine is spec’d to produce 441Nm of torque, which is stated to power the Kia Tasman from zero to 100km/h within 10.4 seconds, with a top speed of 185km/h.
There’s a double-wishbone front suspension unit for improved ride quality and handling across varied terrain, and the rear features a rigid axle with leaf springs for durability and to enhance load carrying. Vertically mounted shock absorbers are incorporated into the design to enhance damping and greater control.
The front and rear suspension units are paired with Kia’s frequency selective Sensitive Damper Control (SDC) and Hydraulic Rebound Stop technology to help minimise vibrations into the cabin and improve control and comfort.
Both the X-Line and the X-Pro are all-wheel-drives (AWD) as standard, which is an option available for the base model. The AWD system will automatically switch terrain configuration depending on the road surface.
The AWD system will automatically switch terrain modes depending on the road or terrain surface, and the X-Line and X-Pro have selectable drive modes, including ECO, Smart, Sport, Sand, Mud and Snow. Being the most offroad oriented of the pack, the X-Pro also comes with a Rock mode.
The X-Pro will include some other features such as the automatically engaging rear Electronic Locking Differential (e-LD) and X-Trek mode. The X-Trek mode will allow the vehicle to maintain a low speed when offroad without manual acceleration or braking. The e-LD is located in the rear diff and provides enhanced control over locking and unlocking for enhanced control in offroad settings.
Safety and towing technology
One of the intriguing bits of tech Kia is offering as an optional inclusion is a 240V outlet in the tub for powering all your gear and devices while you’re out and about. But the caveat is that it will require the vehicle to be running to work. So, it’s great for charging on the way to your campground but not that useful at camp.
All the variants will include Kia’s Ground View Monitor (GVM), which feeds into the camera and infotainment screens and will give drivers and passengers a clear view of the ground level around the vehicle, which can be very helpful when dealing with tight areas or uneven terrain.
The latest safety technology has been incorporated into the design, including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as lane keeping assist, remote parking assist, blind spot collision warning and so on. Kia has also stated that the ADAS system has been optimised with trailer profile functionality, and it will automatically optimise driving characteristics when towing.
Exterior features
While the Kia Tasman might slot neatly into the Aussie double cab ute segment based on its payload, towing specs and offroad capability, its styling has been a point of discussion since its reveal. It’s been designed for outdoor adventures with a focus on clean and symmetrical lines inside and out that give it a boxy design you'll either love or hate.
Some key features include the large radiator grille and bumper design, which highlight the ute’s width, and the hood trim and grille which help create the iconic Kia Tiger Face, with vertical signature lighting included in the headlamps.
At the back, the tray features an impressive storage capacity of 1173L (VDA), and corner steps are a standard inclusion. When it comes to optional features, there's a sliding cargo floor for easy loading and unloading, the 240V power outlet and mini table.
There are nine colours available for the Kia Tasman: Clear White, Snow Pearl White, Interstellar Gray, Steel Gray, Runway Red, Cityscape Green, Aurora Black Pearl, plus two new colours: Tan Beige and Denim Blue.
What is the interior like?
Heading inside, Kia has continued its theme of thinking outside the box when it comes to aesthetic. Simplicity and stark lines are some of the standout characteristics, while the honeycomb pattern on the large air vents across the central dash makes the Kia Tasman standout.
When it comes to tech, there’s a single panoramic display featuring a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, a 5-inch climate display and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, allowing the driver and front passenger easy access to the vehicle controls and various infotainment options.
As you’d expect of a modern vehicle, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard inclusions, and there’s an optional eight-speaker Harmon Kardon premium audio system.
Other equipment you’ll find on board include a large folding console table, hidden storage bins below the rear seats that offer 33L of space and wireless charging pads.
The seats are made using recycled PET fabric and bio-PU synthetic leather, and there are five interior trim colourways on offer: Onyx Black/Medium Gray, Espresso Brown/Onyx Black and Deep Green/Medium Gray. Buyers who select the more offroad focused Kia Tasman X-Line or X-Pro models have the choice of two colour options: Onyx Black/Medium Gray and Deep Green/Terracotta Brown.
Choose your ideal setup
There will be four tray accessory configurations on offer for each of the Kia Tasman variants.
- Single Decker: includes a canopy and butterfly doors for easy access and roof rack for a rooftop tent
- Double Decker: includes a trunk with butterfly doors and a sliding tonneau cover so that the cargo space can be customised
- Sports Roll Bar: features a functional frame for mounting outdoor gear and toys
- Ladder Rack: features a ladder-style rack that is also compatible with rooftop tents
(The first three will be available upon launch.)
There will also be a range of accessories (13 products), such as two sidestep options and beadlock-style wheels.
Find out more
The Kia Tasman ute is being launched in the Korean market in the first half of 2025, with launches in Australia, Africa and the Middle East to follow later next year.
To find out more about Kia’s benchmark double cab ute, head here.
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