Kia Tasman X-Pro Evaluation for the Year 2026
Introducing the Kia Tasman: A New Contender in the Australian Ute Market
The automotive landscape in Australia is about to change with the arrival of the Kia Tasman, a new entrant aiming to make its mark in the competitive ute market. Kia, known for its popular SUVs, is now venturing into the realm of pickup trucks, aiming to challenge established brands like Ford, Toyota, and Isuzu, as well as emerging Chinese brands such as GWM, JAC, and MG.
Power and Performance
The Kia Tasman is equipped with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, producing 154kW and 440-450Nm. This engine is competitive, matching or exceeding power figures of rivals like the Toyota HiLux's 2.8L and Isuzu D-Max's 3.0L engines, though it tends to have slightly less torque than some competitors. The Tasman features an 8-speed automatic transmission, tuned in Australia for better performance in typical Australian driving conditions, offering a good balance compared to the six-speed or 10-speed automatics in rivals.
Design and Features
Kia’s designers have chosen a bold and somewhat polarizing, boxy styling for the Tasman. Standard equipment includes a large 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio, LED headlights, and a reversing camera. Higher trims offer premium features like a 360-degree camera and powered tailgate. The Tasman's exterior design is bold and controversial, with plastic-look front fenders and headlamps positioned at the far extremities.
Comfort and Convenience
Passenger comfort is a highlight in the Tasman, with chunky detailing giving the interior a robust feel. The Tasman X-Pro model includes artificial leather upholstery, with heating and ventilation in the front seats and heating in the two outer seats of the second row. The Tasman X-Pro's front seats offer excellent support for long drives and off-road adventures, with the design benchmarked from the Isuzu D-Max.
Off-Road Capabilities
The Tasman X-Pro offers terrain mode, including an exclusive-to-X-Pro rock mode for off-road driving. It boasts a wading depth of 800mm and competitive ground clearance of 252mm. Under-seat storage in the Tasman offers up to 45 litres, the largest in any standard dual-cab ute. The Tasman X-Pro's 17-inch black rims are the only factory-fitted all-terrain tyres in the range.
Safety and Technology
The Tasman X-Pro is equipped with a strong suite of passive and active safety features, including Highway Driving Assist 2, blind-spot view monitoring, a surround-view camera, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist. The Tasman X-Pro features a fold-out centre console table when the vehicle is stationary. It also offers twin 240V sockets, one in the vehicle and one in the tray, for powering a laptop or tools with a maximum output of 400W on the go.
Pricing and Availability
The Tasman is priced from $46,490 to $77,990 for six pickup variants. The Tasman X-Pro, the top-spec model tested, costs $77,990. The 2026 Kia Tasman dual-cab ute has been launched in Australia.
Conclusion
The Kia Tasman offers a strong package that notably elevates Kia's position in the Australian ute market. It combines modern technology, competitive performance, and a distinctive design to challenge the traditional leaders and new Chinese entrants. However, it must overcome strong brand loyalty to Ford, Toyota, and Isuzu and meet ambitious sales targets amid increasing competition from both established and emerging Chinese brands.
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