Kia Tasman ute brings swagger and surprises

Few vehicles in recent memory have had the sustained marketing build up that Kia has heaped upon its new ute, the Tasman.

Television advertisements featuring a who’s-who of sporting legends ranging from footballer Allan Langer to tennis star Ash Barty and Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Damien Oliver have been on high rotation in prime-time slots for some 18 months.

But now that the brand awareness work has been done, the Tasman’s rubber finally gets to hit the road and we get to answer the question, "Is it any good?"

Fortunately for Kia, its new ute is indeed very good.

Good enough, according to Kia Australia CEO Damien Meredith to carve out a 20,000 unit per annum slice of the Australian dual-cab ute market, and to become a top-four player in the segment that includes established models like the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, and Mitsubishi Triton, plus a throng of new Chinese rivals.

Unsurprisingly, the Tasman puts its best foot forward in top-spec X-Pro trim, but we also sampled other grades including a cloth-trimmed cab-chassis variant fitted with Kia’s optional heavy-duty aluminium tray, one of around 100 accessories available for the new ute.

No matter the trim grade or the accessories fitted, the elephant in the room is the Tasman’s challenging appearance.

With its bluff front end and blistered wheelarch protrusions, the Korean ute takes a decidedly different approach to its more conservatively styled rivals, one that may be enough to deter some buyers from the get-go.

But for those prepared to get behind the wheel there is plenty to like, including in the top-grade X-Pro 4x4 sampled here a cabin that is particularly well appointed and roomy.

The interior looks and feels more like that of a high-grade SUV than a workhorse ute, with a panoramic digital display stretching halfway across the dash.

The dash design and trim quality are a cut above what is found even in top-grade variants in this segment, with well-proportioned front seats clad in stylish artificial leather with seat heating and ventilation, plus 10-way power adjustment.

The long list of standard features includes must-haves like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and dual wireless smartphone charging pads, plus nice-to-haves like a tilt-and-slide sunroof and eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The cabin is impressively roomy too, with Kia making much of the fact its ute offers more head, leg and shoulder room than HiLux and Ranger.

Rear-seat passengers are treated to rear privacy glass, a seatback recline function that avoids the uncomfortable straight-backed position of many rivals, outboard seat heating and 45 litres of storage under the seat base.

Conversation between front and rear occupants is easy thanks to outstanding isolation of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), the cabin proving impressively quiet over a variety of different road surfaces.

Pre-launch questions about the ability of Kia’s 2.2-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder to mix it with larger capacity rivals appear to be largely unfounded, with the engine delivering its 154kW/440Nm effortlessly to ensure relaxed highway performance and brisk off-the-mark acceleration. Fuel consumption is a competitive 8.1L/100km.

The calibration of the eight-speed automatic is spot on, too, the gearbox reacting swiftly to accelerator inputs or incline changes, slurring up and down the ratios to keep the engine in its optimal torque band.

The combination did have to work harder during the towing exercise but that would be true of most utes tasked with hauling 2,200kg.

Towing performance is aided by an integrated trailer brake controller, trailer stability assist system, and a tow mode that optimises transmission shift characteristics according to trailer weight.

The Tasman’s tub will accommodate a full-size Australian or Euro pallet with Kia claiming about 100 litres more cargo volume than key rivals.

There are tie-down hooks on all models with the X-Line and X-Pro gaining an adjustable rail system plus handy features like a 240V outlet (SX+ and above), stepping points integrated into the rear bumper, and a lidded storage box above the passenger side rear wheel guard.

Off-road ability is particularly impressive, with 800mm maximum wading depth, competitive approach and departure angles, plus selectable high- and low-range gearing.

Unique to the X-Pro are more aggressive 17-inch All-Terrain tyres, an electronically actuated rear differential lock, and an additional Rock Terrain mode on top of the Auto, Snow, Mud, Sand modes of other variants.

The X-Pro also gets X-Trek, a low speed cruise control system for difficult terrain, and a Ground View monitor that uses cameras to project a virtual view of the terrain ahead.

Of course, not all Tasman’s are as generously equipped as the $74,990 (MRLP) X-Pro, with more humble fare in other variants including the entry-level Tasman S 4x2 single cab-chassis which costs $38,010.

The range covers 11 variants across five trimlines, comprising S, SX, SX+, X-Line, and X-Pro, with the most affordable dual-cab 4x4 variant being the S 4x4 priced at $49,990 (MRLP).

On the all-important safety front, all Tasman’s come with a very comprehensive package of active and safety equipment including the latest ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), but only the S, SX and SX+ dual cab 4x4 variants have a five-star ANCAP rating.

Arriving late as it has to the fiercely competitive Aussie ute party, Kia needed to over-deliver with the Tasman and first impressions are that it has done just that.

Specifications

PRICE: $74,990 (MRLP)

WARRANTY: Seven years/ unlimited kilometres

POWERTRAIN: 2.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel, eight-speed automatic, 2WD or AWD, dual-range 4x4 (154kW/440Nm)

ANCAP CRASH RATING: Not rated

FUEL CONSUMPTION (CO2): 8.1L/100km (215g/km CO2)

What we liked

✓ Nicely finished and generously equipped

✓ Smooth, quiet and impressively comfortable

✓ Excellent rear-seat accommodation

✓ Competitive towing and off-road capability

✓ Long warranty

Room for improvement

✗ Styling not everyone’s cup of tea

✗ Full suite of off-road features only available on top-of-the line model

✗ No ANCAP rating for top-grade variants

✗ Front suspension feels a little soft at road speeds

Read more on the Kia Tasman, including full specs

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