Words by Craig Seckerson – Photos by Craig and Jo Seckerson

Kia Tasman S 4×4 First Drive – A New Rig in the highly Competitive Pick-Up Market.

So, it has been just over a year since its unveiling and from all the media hype surrounding the launch, Kia clearly expects their new mid-sized Kia Tasman Ute/pick-up to become a major player in Australia’s fiercely competitive pick-up market. That is no small challenge given the established competition, especially when Kia is entering the segment from scratch with such a bold and unconventional design, although I am still not entirely convinced they have nailed it.

Growing up in the UK, we had ‘Marmite’, a thick yeast spread famous for its “love it or hate it” slogan, and that comparison feels perfectly suited to the Tasman. The reactions I have received from people so far have been incredibly divided. Its daring and somewhat controversial styling could easily overshadow what appears to be an incredibly capable vehicle underneath. From my initial walk-around, and I hasten to add before even getting behind the wheel, I was firmly in the  “not liking it” camp when it came to the exterior looks, so I was genuinely curious to see whether the Tasman could eventually win me over

With the key in hand and for some unknown reason its remarkably small lock and unlock buttons that are so fiddly and difficult to see as a middle aged man, I had the opportunity to spend a week with the entry-level 4×4 variant to discover just how good ‘The Ugly Duckling’ as my kids referred to it, really is. At first glance, the entry level S 4×4 presents itself as a genuine back-to-basics pick-up aimed squarely at tradies who value practicality above all else.

But is it really that basic? Climbing up into the cabin, and trust me, without side steps it is quite a climb for those of us with shorter legs, I was greeted by seats that looked tough and durable while still offering a respectable level of comfort. Directly ahead sits an impressive panoramic display incorporating three separate screens: a 12.3-inch digital driver cluster, a 5-inch climate control display, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This level of technology was the last thing I expected to find in the base-model Kia big rig.

The infotainment system itself is crisp, intuitive and refreshingly easy to navigate, while setting up Apple CarPlay was completely straightforward. The driver display is equally clear and easy to read, and I am also a fan of the drive mode selector mounted on the steering wheel, which is simple to locate and easy to use on the move. Admittedly, the inner 10-year old child in me enjoyed the way the instrument dials changed colour depending on the selected mode, Sport mode naturally looks and feels best when the dials are glowing red.

Another highlight is Kia’s decision to retain proper physical controls for key functions such as volume and climate settings. The buttons are large, chunky and industrial in appearance. Even though they are plastic or a composite material, the knurled finish gives them the look of machined metal. I also appreciated the shortcut buttons for commonly used infotainment functions including Home, Maps, Media and Setup, which make the system far easier to use while driving.

My biggest criticism is a frustrating ergonomic oversight, for reasons I simply cannot understand, the left-hand side of the steering wheel partially obscures the climate-control display from the driver’s view. It is surprisingly annoying in day-to-day use and feels like an unforgivable mistake given the amount of time, money and research manufacturers invest into ergonomics and user experience. I searched extensively through the settings menus hoping to reposition the climate display, but as far as I could determine, it cannot be changed.

Despite the issue with the climate screen, my initial thoughts are the cabin feels like a genuinely spacious and pleasant place to spend time. Kia appears to have put considerable thought into the design and layout, while the materials feel durable enough to withstand the demands of work life. The Tasman S 4×4 strikes an impressive balance between comfort and practicality, blending rugged usability with a surprisingly modern and refined interior

It really is the first thing that immediately stands out about the Kia Tasman as you climb aboard, the sheer amount of cabin space, it feels huge. Kia has utilised virtually every square inch available, no doubt helped by the Tasman’s squared-off exterior proportions. Rear passenger space is equally generous, offering plenty of room for either passengers or work equipment, and I will take a closer look at the second row during the review.

Unlike the divisive exterior styling, I suspect most buyers will appreciate the interior design, that said, the squared-off steering wheel is likely to split opinions just as evenly. Personally, I think it looks fantastic and, more importantly, it feels exceptionally comfortable in your hands, especially during longer journeys. One detail I genuinely love is the design of the interior door handles, they are probably one of the coolest features I have seen in a mass-produced vehicle for a while.

While they are obviously made from the same plastic or composite material as the switchgear, the machined knurled appearance gives them a premium feel that would not look out of place inside a Spyker or even a Pagani

The Tasman range itself is extensive, with both cab-chassis and pick-up body styles available across five trim grades: S, SX, SX+, X-Line and the flagship X-Pro. Pricing for the pick-up range starts at $42,990AUD ($30,700USD) for the S 4×2, while the Tasman S 4×4 I am testing comes in at $49,990AUD ($35,700USD).

Despite sitting at the bottom of the model hierarchy, our S 4×4 test vehicle still benefits from the same 2.2-litre SmartStream inline four-cylinder 16-valve turbo-diesel engine and eight-speed automatic transmission found across the wider Tasman range. At just under $50K AUD ($36,000USD) it positions itself competitively against equivalent dual-cab pick-up rivals currently on the market.

The S 4×4 rides on 17-inch black steel wheels wrapped in Kumho 265/65 R17 Crugen tyres, with a full-size spare included as standard. While some buyers may not warm to the black steel wheels, I actually think they suit the Tasman’s rugged character perfectly. They give it a tough, no-nonsense look, almost reminiscent of a US police interceptor vehicle.

Practical, durable and clearly designed for a hard-working life, my only criticism is the size. Against the Tasman’s large squared-off wheel arches, the 17-inch wheels look slightly undersized, in my opinion, a 19-inch wheel would better complement the vehicle’s muscular stance

Standard equipment continues with automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights, front and rear parking sensors with on-screen guidance, plus a reversing camera. On a vehicle of this size, the rear camera proves invaluable when manoeuvring through tight shopping centre car parks, although I would have appreciated a forward-facing camera when off-road as visibility over the squared off hood is limited.

Kia has loaded the Tasman with an extensive suite of driver assistance technology. Features include Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist and Alert, Highway Driving Assist 2 with Lane Change Assist, adaptive Smart Cruise Control and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Forward Collision Warning covering multiple potential hazards. The Tasman also incorporates Kia’s Driver Attention Warning system. While I understand the importance of these aids, I have never been their biggest fan and, compared with several recent Japanese rivals I have tested, Kia’s calibration feels overly sensitive.

During my time with the vehicle, the system issued noticeably more alerts than I experienced in competitors, to the point where it risks becoming more irritating than genuinely helpful. Kia may need to fine-tune the balance to avoid drivers simply becoming desensitised to the warnings altogether.

While checking underneath the vehicle for the full-size spare wheel, I took the opportunity to inspect the suspension setup. The Tasman uses twin-wishbone coil-spring front suspension combined with a leaf-spring live rear axle. Presumably, the leaf-spring arrangement has been chosen to maximise payload and improve towing stability. It will certainly be interesting over the coming week to see whether the rear suspension behaves as energetically as the similarly configured Mitsubishi Triton. Braking performance should be strong thanks to 325mm ventilated disc brakes fitted at all four corners, a step up from some rivals in this segment.

Dimensionally, the Tasman shares the same substantial 3270mm wheelbase as the market-leading Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok, although the Kia is slightly longer and wider overall. That makes it significantly larger than the Toyota Hilux with its 3085mm wheelbase and the Triton at 3130mm. In theory, this should translate into improved towing stability and noticeably better rear passenger accommodation.

This particular entry-level Kia Tasman is unapologetically designed for a hard-working life and, much like many of its rivals, features durable plastic cladding in areas most likely to pick up bumps and scrapes on building sites or farms. The S 4×4 follows this formula with grey plastic trim across the front and rear bumpers, as well as along the wheel arches. Admittedly, colour-coded panels may look more sophisticated on a family SUV or lifestyle-focused pick-up, but I actually appreciate the rugged grey finish. It gives the Tasman a simple, no-nonsense appearance that reminds me of my old indestructible Tonka toys.

The S 4×4 shares the same 206mm ground clearance as the SX and SX+, which is slightly lower than some rivals in the segment. However, it counters with an impressive 800mm wading depth, placing it right alongside the class leaders. My main concern lies with the relatively shallow 20-degree approach angle, which falls well short of the 30 degrees offered by several established 4×4 competitors. Much of this appears to stem from the low-hanging front plastic spoiler, which seems to serve little purpose beyond styling.

The more off-road-focused X-Pro improves matters considerably, boosting ground clearance to 252mm and increasing the approach angle to 32.2 degrees which is more in line with more serious off-roading. It will be interesting to see how those figures translate in real-world off-road conditions, something I will explore later in the review.

Across the entire Tasman range, including the two-wheel-drive variants, Kia quotes a maximum braked towing capacity of 3500kg and a Gross Combined Mass (GCM) of 6200kg. Taking into account the Tasman’s 3250kg Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), towing the maximum allowable weight leaves a payload capacity of 675kg. That figure must include the driver, passengers and any luggage or cargo carried in the vehicle. Many people I know tow regularly, yet few ever approach the full 3500kg limit.

Even so, understanding these figures is extremely important to avoid unintentionally overloading your vehicle. Realistically, a 675kg payload still provides enough capacity for a family of five and additional gear while towing at maximum capacity. For buyers who find towing calculations confusing, Kia has made things easier by offering a dedicated online Tasman towing guide complete with a payload calculator.

Kia Tasman Towing Guide and Payload Calculator can be found by clicking the following link: https://www.kia.com/au/cars/tasman/payload-calculator.html

From a tradie’s perspective, the rear tub is generously sized, measuring 1573mm long, 1600mm wide and 543mm deep, with a total load volume exceeding 1.3 cubic metres. I measured 1186mm between the rear wheel housings, meaning it can comfortably accommodate both Australian and Euro pallets

I am a big fan of the automatic tailgate release, which is a genuinely useful feature for day-to-day work duties. What I do not like, however, is the exposed painted metal inside the tub found on the base S model. A protective liner or even a simple mat should really be standard equipment for a work focussed vehicle, because I can easily see the paintwork becoming heavily damaged in a working environment on day one.

The tie-down points located in each corner of the tub are useful, although their mid-height positioning proved frustrating during my testing. For the shallow load I was carrying, I needed anchor points mounted on the tub floor and having them halfway up the side made securing cargo far more difficult than it should have been.

Speaking of carrying loads, the cabin itself offers enormous amounts of space for both front occupants. My front seat passenger was able to fully stretch out her legs, while there was still ample rear legroom for a six-footer sitting behind. Storage throughout the cabin is decent, although I feel there could have been even more practical compartments in a vehicle of this size. The Tasman lacks the handy shelf above the glovebox often found in work-oriented vehicles, the perfect place for sunglasses, paperwork, pens and other everyday tradie essentials.

That said, the large bottle holders and door bins are excellent, as are the front cupholders that securely hold drinks in place. The glovebox itself is less impressive, mainly because it cannot fully open if you have a front passenger, it simply hits their knees. The centre console storage area is a much better solution, offering plenty of room for personal items, while the open tray at the base of the dashboard is ideal for phones, keys and loose change, complete with USB-C charging ports for devices on the move.

One of my favourite features is the clever rear seat design. The seatbacks fold forward to allow boxes or equipment to be carried without damaging the seat fabric, while the seat bases themselves lift up to reveal 45 litres of under-seat storage, or 31 litres with the Kia supplied tools in place. It is an ideal hidden storage area for expensive power tools or valuables you would rather keep out of sight

Rear access is another strong point, the back doors open to almost 90 degrees, making entry and exit far easier than in many of the Tasman’s competitors, although you will need to be careful in tight car parks not to hit the vehicle next to you. Rear passenger space is genuinely impressive and could be close to class-leading in this segment. Credit must go to Kia’s engineers for extracting so much usable room from the cabin. While three adults can fit across the rear bench, I would hesitate to recommend three full-grown tradies spending hours back there on a long road trip, as things would become cosy.

Equipment levels in the rear of the S 4×4 are basic. Rear occupants get bottle holders in the doors and map pockets behind the front seats, but there is little else in the way of luxury, for example there is no rear armrest or charging ports in the base model tested. On the plus side, the large window area prevents the dark roof lining from making the cabin feel claustrophobic, and personally I think the black headlining gives the interior a more premium appearance.

As mentioned earlier, the entire Tasman range uses the same 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 154kW at 3800rpm and 440Nm of torque between 1750 and 2750rpm. Those figures certainly suggest strong load-carrying and towing capability but is far from being a performance vehicle.

During testing, the Tasman S completed the 0–100km/h sprint in 10.4 seconds, which is hardly quick, although perfectly acceptable for a large dual-cab pick-up. I did not test the claimed top speed of 185km/h, but over more than 1100km of driving across city streets, highways, gravel roads and dedicated off-road terrain, the Tasman consistently felt composed and comfortable. Power delivery was smooth, there was always enough performance in reserve, and the vehicle rarely felt strained regardless of the conditions.

The only area where I had some reservations during my day-to-day testing was the turning circle. Officially measuring 12.34 metres, it sits roughly in the middle of the segment average for a mid-sized pick-up. In the real world, though, the Tasman felt like it required noticeably more room to manoeuvre than several competitors I have recently tested.

The engine is paired with an eight-speed Sports-Matic transmission, offering sequential manual shifting and five selectable drive modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, Tow and MyDrive, the latter allowing drivers to tailor settings to their preferences. The eight-speed torque-converter automatic delivers impressively smooth shifts for a tradie pick-up, making the Tasman exceptionally relaxed and effortless to drive. Kia appears to have struck an excellent balance between the engine and transmission combination, it is reasonably eager off the line, handles heavy loads confidently and provides plenty of low-down torque for off-road work.

The Tasman made light work of the steep 17.7 per cent gradient near my home in Adelaide’s southern suburbs. Over the 2km climb, which gains 189 metres in elevation, the 2.2-litre diesel and eight-speed automatic maintained the legal 70km/h speed limit with ease. While I have no complaints about the drivetrain, I would love to see it coupled with a more refined V6 option under the bonnet. A V6 would enhance both performance and torque, particularly for towing and hauling heavier loads, maybe not an option in the lower spec models, but perhaps Kia could offer the 3 litre V6 diesel from the Kia Mohave or Borrego as it is known in North America.

Engine braking on the descent was equally strong when manually selecting second gear, right up until the engine reached around 4000rpm on overrun and automatically shifted up a gear. This has become increasingly common in pick-ups within this segment as manufacturers seek to protect the transmission and driveshaft. However, if you are relying on engine braking downhill, particularly while carrying a load, the sudden upshift can quickly see the vehicle gather speed if you are not paying attention. Thankfully, the all-round disc brakes are more than capable of scrubbing off the surge in speed when required.

There are no cabin side steps fitted to assist entry into the Tasman, although large grab handles mounted on the A and B pillars make climbing aboard easier for both front and rear passengers. One word of warning for those heading off-road, when exiting the vehicle, your calves naturally slide down the sill area, which can leave marks on clothing. My wife can certainly attest to that, as red outback dust and black leggings are not a great combination.

Comfort behind the wheel was excellent, even during an extended five-hour drive. The driving position is well judged, despite the base model only offering six-way manual seat adjustment, while higher-grade models receive 10-way electric adjustment. The premium steering wheel feels exceptional in the hands and offers both height and reach adjustment for improved comfort. Its squared-off design may not appeal to everyone, but it improves forward visibility and knee room compared with a traditional round wheel, and I personally think it looks rather smart.

I genuinely enjoyed my time behind the wheel of the Kia. After covering more than 1100km in a relatively short period, I struggled to find fault with the driving experience regardless of the road surface or conditions. Even the entry-level S model feels impressively solid in both engineering and build quality, backed up by excellent steering feel, composed handling and strong braking performance from the ventilated disc brakes at all four corners. Acceleration performance is more than adequate for a large tradie pick-up. Overall, the Tasman is beginning to prove itself to be a highly capable all-rounder.

One area that became particularly noticeable was the amount of insect splatter accumulating on the windscreen and front end. Despite it not even being summer in Australia, the Tasman returned home looking like it had driven through an insect apocalypse. Its flat, brick-like front-end design certainly contribute to this, and anyone regularly covering long distances would need to factor frequent cleaning into ownership. I am also a little concerned about the upright nature of the front screen picking up stone chips, but this is a test I cannot conduct, as only time will tell.

So, what is the Kia like off-road? On the whole, I came away extremely impressed. Covering more than 200km of off-road driving, I subjected the Tasman S 4×4 to unsealed gravel roads, harsh corrugations, deep water crossings and thick red mud, and it handled everything confidently without missing a beat. I switched from rear-wheel drive I used on sealed roads into 4×4 Auto once the bitumen ended, and the Tasman remained in that setting throughout the entire off-road journey.

Despite the challenging conditions, it tackled all I could throw at it in 4×4 Auto, there was one particularly difficult muddy section where I considered engaging low-range, but I wanted to see how far I could progress in the auto mode, the Tasman continued pushing forward regardless, demonstrating there are additional levels and capability in reserve

The suspension absorbed corrugations impressively well, I intentionally left the tyre pressures at road settings to see how it would cope. At higher speeds the ride remained composed, although slowing down introduced more bounce and reduced comfort. Again, this highlighted additional levels and that lowering tyre pressures would have further improved ride quality over the corrugations.

What makes the Tasman’s off-road performance even more remarkable is that it achieved all of this on standard Kumho Crugen highway tyres. Only in the thickest mud did the tyres begin to show their limitations, although careful wheel placement saw the Tasman continue powering through. Fitting a quality set of all-terrain tyres would significantly enhance the Tasman S 4×4 capabilities further, transforming it into an even more accomplished and comfortable off-roader. In my opinion, the Tasman S genuinely earns the 4×4 badge on its tailgate.

In terms of fuel consumption, Kia claims combined fuel use of 7.6L/100km for the Tasman S 4×4, with urban consumption rated at 9.3L/100km and extra-urban at 6.6L/100km. In real-world testing over more than 1100km, I recorded a combined average of 8.7L/100km and an extra-urban figure of 7.3L/100km. While slightly higher than Kia’s official claims, the results remain respectable considering the variety of driving conditions encountered, with most testing conducted in Eco mode.

Tasman models sold after June 2025 receive a five-star ANCAP safety rating, excluding the X-Line and X-Pro variants. The Tasman achieved scores of 87 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, 85 per cent for Child Occupant Protection, 80 per cent for Safety Assist and 74 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection. The five-star rating is supported by an extensive suite of safety equipment, including dual front airbags, a front-centre, front seat-mounted and side curtain airbags.

Families are also catered for with ISOFIX child-seat mounting points, reinforcing the Tasman’s dual-purpose nature as both a workhorse and family vehicle. However, it is worth noting that the centre rear seat does not feature a top tether anchorage, meaning child seats are not recommended in that position

From my time with the Tasman, it is clear to see that it successfully blends practicality, capability and family-friendly safety. The strong ANCAP result only reinforces the solid engineering and build quality already evident from behind the wheel, while also providing reassurance that both driver and passengers are well protected.

The Tasman S 4×4 is backed by Kia’s excellent seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, along with 12 months of complimentary roadside assistance. This assistance is renewed annually for up to eight years, provided the vehicle is serviced through an authorised Kia dealer.

Scheduled servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Kia’s capped-price servicing program covers the first seven scheduled services across seven years or 105,000km, with total servicing costs sitting at approximately $4000AUD ($2,900USD), equating to around $580AUD ($414USD) per year on average (please check with your local Kia authorised dealer).

Alternatively, Kia offers prepaid servicing packages across three, five and seven-year terms, providing additional savings, again check these with your local dealer. As of September 2025, Kia operates 149 dealerships across Australia all with servicing facilities and a whopping 1,159 in North America, making it easy for most owners to access maintenance support locally.

After spending an extended period behind the wheel, I have genuinely become quite fond of the Tasman, but only once I am inside. Unfortunately, the exterior styling never truly grew on me during my time with Kia’s big pick-up. As many Adventure Rigs readers already know, I tend to buy vehicles as much with my heart as with my head. Cars have an odd ability to stir emotion despite fundamentally being tools designed to serve a purpose, testament to that,

I once owned an Alfa Romeo, hardly a decision driven entirely by logic. Inside the Tasman, everything feels perfectly acceptable, right up until you catch its reflection in a shop window. Unfortunately, the Tasman simply does not tug at the heartstrings, which is disappointing because mechanically it is an exceptionally strong first effort from Kia in one of the most competitive segments on the market.

Had the Tasman been poor to drive, I would not feel nearly as conflicted writing this review. I wanted to champion the underdog Kia because, beneath the controversial styling, there is a genuinely capable and well-rounded pick-up. This led me to spend some additional time investigating the available accessories. Kia offers an extensive range of genuine accessories including bull bars, canopies and snorkels, while aftermarket companies have already begun developing the sorts of touring and overlanding upgrades many 4×4 enthusiasts typically fit to a new pick-up. In my opinion, this may well be the Tasman’s saving grace aesthetically, as some of the accessory-equipped examples significantly improve its appearance

Verdict

During my time with the Tasman, I honestly did not hear a single positive comment regarding its styling, the most positive statement was still extremely ambiguous. I expected opinion to be split down the middle, a real Marmite-style 50/50 divide, but in reality, the ratio felt closer to 5/95 against the design.

However, and this is an incredibly important however, buyers willing to look beyond the Tasman’s polarising appearance will discover an extremely comfortable, capable and competent all-rounder. Like any vehicle, it has a few minor shortcomings, but overall, the Tasman impresses with solid build quality, an extremely practical and robust interior, family-friendly usability, reasonable performance on tarmac and excellent off-road ability.

As a practical item bought with your head only, I love the Tasman as it is an exceptionally competent vehicle and performed well during our tests, so it really does deserve genuine consideration from anyone shopping in this mid-size pick-up segment. The more I reflected while writing this review, the more convinced I became that small business owners and tradies, should take a serious look at the Tasman. Wherever it goes, Kia’s big pick-up sparks conversation, even with complete strangers. Once sign written, there would be a uniqueness to the Tasman that could genuinely help a business stand out from the crowd, all while delivering a remarkably comfortable and capable vehicle

Price as tested – Kia Tasman S 4×4 Dual Cab pick-up – with optional Steel Grey metallic paint – $50,718.00AUD ($36,200USD)

S 4×2 – $42,990.00AUD ($30,700USD)

S 4×4 – $49,990.00AUD ($35,700USD).

SX – $51,990.00AUD ($37,100USD)

SX+ – $54,990.00AUD ($39,200USD)

X-Line – $59,990.00AUD ($42,700USD)

X-Pro – $64,990.00AUD ($46,400USD)

The pricing estimate includes pricing for 2025 build vehicles only. For pricing of 2026 build vehicles, please contact your local dealership. See your participating Kia dealer for full terms and conditions. Kia reserves the right to change prices without notice.