After what seemed to be a very long tease, Kia has finally taken the wraps off its first pickup ute – the Tasman – and is ready to take on the big boys of Toyota and Ford in what is Australia’s most popular new-vehicle segment.
It’s an intriguing debut from Kia, not least because of the Tasman’s looks, which seem like wild departure from what has emerged from other manufacturers.
But while its styling may evoke admiration or frowns – beauty is, after all, in the eye of the beholder – Kia is a major player and the fundamentals of the Tasman are bound to be rock solid.
In the Australian market, the Tasman will feature a 155kW/441Nm, 2.2-litre diesel engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Kia says this will get the Tasman from 0-100km/h in 10.4 seconds, while top speed peaks at 185km/h.
In other regions, customers will be able to choose between the 2.2-litre diesel with either an 8-speed auto or 6-speed manual transmission (depending on the market), and a 2.5-litre petrol engine equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Kia says that using an optimised composite bush structure to mount the Tasman’s body to the ladder-frame chassis ensures improved rigidity, body control, stability and comfort. The company adds that the double wishbone front suspension units have been developed to improve ride and handling in all conditions. The rear features a rigid axle with leaf springs, incorporating vertically mounted shock absorbers. Kia’s frequency selective Sensitive Damper Control (SDC) and Hydraulic Rebound Stop technology is included here.
At the ute’s global launch, Kia revealed the Tasman is available as a double-cab Base model, or in X-Line and X-Pro trim models.
The Base model will be available in 4×2 or 4×4 variants while the X-Line and X-Pro will be 4×4 only.
Kia says the AWD system switches automatically to the configuration required to provide optimum traction on different road surfaces and offers three driving modes – ECO, Smart and Sport – with various terrain modes available within these settings.
The X-Pro model provides an additional Rock mode, specifically designed to enhance performance on challenging mountainous terrains. In Australia, AWD variants will be equipped with Sand, Mud, Snow and Rock modes.
Further enhancements to the X-Pro variant include an automatically engaging rear Electronic Locking Differential (e-LD) and X-Trek mode. X-Trek mode enables the vehicle to maintain a low speed off-road without the need for manual acceleration or braking.
A Ground View Monitor (GVM), which uses the Tasman’s camera and infotainment screens, shows what is going on at ground level.
The X-Pro provides gets 28mm higher ground clearance over the Base and X-Line variants and is equipped with 17-inch gloss-black wheels and all-terrain tyres. The X-Line features 18-inch alloy wheels paired with highway and terrain tyres.
Kia says it will provide customisable chassis cab variants to meet specific business needs, along with single cab options that optimise bed space by reconfiguring the passenger compartment into a single row layout.
The Kia Tasman will be offered with four bed accessory configurations: Single Decker, Double Decker, Sports Bar and Ladder Rack, with the first three available immediately from launch. In addition, there will be a total of 13 accessory products offered , including two types of side steps and beadlock-style wheels.
All Kia Tasman variants can ford water up to 800mm deep at a speed of 7km/h.
Since utes are used as much for business as for charging around the outback, Kia says there are plenty of features here for the tradesperson.
The load bed is 1512 mm long, 1572 mm wide (1,186 mm between the wheels), and 540 mm deep, which Kia says provides best-in-class cargo capability of 1173 litres. Maximum payload is 1195kg in 2WD mode, in addition to a 3,500kg towing capacity.
A power outlet for hand tools or laptops, and a sliding cargo floor are offered as optional features. Inside, there’s a folding console table.
As can be expected in any new vehicle, safety and driver assistance features are plentiful. The Tasman’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) offer features such as lane keeping assist, blind spot collision warning and remote parking assist, and there is a function that enables the specification of the trailer to be incorporated into the pickup’s ADAS, which then automatically optimises driving characteristics accordingly.
In the cabin, there’s a wide display that incorporates 12.3-inch infotainment display, a 5-inch climate control panel, and a 12.3-inch driver info display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is standard.
There are dual wireless charging pads and hidden storage bins concealed beneath the rear seats offering storage capacity of 33 litres. The rear seats are able to recline between 22 and 30 degrees.
The Tasman is available in nine colours: Clear White, Snow Pearl White, Steel Gray, Interstellar Gray, Cityscape Green, Runway Red, Aurora Black Pearl, Tan Beige, and Denim Blue.
Interior trim is available in five colorways: Onyx Black/Medium Gray, Espresso Brown/Onyx Black, and Deep Green/Medium Gray. X-Line and X-Pro model customers can choose two-tone colour options, including Onyx Black/Medium Gray and Deep Green/Terracotta Brown.
The Kia Tasman will initially launch in the Korean domestic market during the first half of 2025 before arriving in Australia, Africa and the Middle East.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (November 2024)
21 November 2024