More than 18 months after its initial announcement for Australia, and following a high-profile media campaign, the Kia Tasman is finally hitting Aussie roads.

The new ute faces a challenging road ahead, going head-to-head with Australia’s best-selling Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, while also contending with fresh competition from Chinese entrants like the BYD Shark.

Although its design has drawn mixed reactions, its competitive pricing could appeal to buyers, particularly when compared to some of its legacy rivals.

The Tasman Single-Cab chassis is priced between $38,000 and $45,000 and the Dual-Cab chassis is priced from $48,000 to $53,000, while the top-of-the-line X-Pro Pick-Up sits around $75,000 to $78,000.

However, as we know, these standard factory models won’t meet the needs of all drivers. When your customers include tradies, towing tourers, serious off-roaders and your usual city slickers, a vehicle has to suit a variety of lifestyles.

Kia has addressed this with more than 40 Australian-developed Genuine Accessories for the Tasman. Choices span under-tray drawers, tool boxes and water tanks, as well as roof storage systems, canopies, tonneau covers, sports bars or sail planes for Pick-Up models, plus a variety of bull bar, side step and tow bar configurations.

For off-roaders, a snorkel and dust defence kit are available, while adventure seekers can add roof pods or carriers for bikes, watercraft, skis, and snowboards. Comfort and convenience extras include a car fridge, folding table, floor mats, headlamp and bonnet protectors, weather shields, sill protection, a roadside assist kit, and even an aromatherapy diffuser.

The X-Pro Pick-Up stands out as the top choice for off-roaders, offering tailored off-road suspension and tyres with frequency-selective shock absorbers and integrated hydraulic rebound stoppers for an extra 14 mm of spring height. Combined with the X-Pro’s larger all-terrain tyres, this results in an overall 28 mm ride height gain over other Tasman models for a total of 252 mm.

These mechanical elements are supported by a variety of console-selectable terrain modes that enable the driver to set up all Tasman 4x4s for specific traction conditions. AUTO mode represents an AI-based driving surface analysis for automatic selection of the optimal driving mode; SNOW mode calibrates the Tasman’s various systems for slippery surfaces like snow; MUD mode is suited for driving on muddy, unpaved roads or uneven surfaces; and SAND mode is specifically tailored for soft, dry sand or deep gravel surfaces. The Tasman X-Pro adds ROCK mode, which is particularly suited to bumpier, low-traction surfaces like rocks or deep ruts.

The X-Pro also brings a specific Off-Road Page within the multimedia screen, which offers a variety of off-road information within a clear graphic display. This information includes pitch and roll angles to define the severity of the terrain beneath the vehicle, plus steering angle and direction, tyre pressures, battery voltage, and oil pressure, along with radiator, engine oil, and transmission temperatures.

There’s also a ground view monitor element to the exterior camera views within the multimedia screen, which utilises the front and side cameras to improve driver visibility of the surrounding terrain, particularly in terms of front wheel placement, to help choose the best path when off-road.

So, does the Tasman have what it takes to become a serious contender in Australia’s ute market? Early signs suggest there’s an appetite for it, with over 2,500 orders placed even before the mid-2025 launch. However, the true test will be on the road, and Western 4W Driver will reveal our thoughts on the Tasman with a comprehensive review soon. If Kia is targeting 20,000 units sold annually in Australia—a figure that would secure a notable share of the ute market and a high spot on the sales charts—then the opinions of the country’s extensive 4×4 community will be crucial.

Kia Tasman is on sale now through Kia Dealers. For more info head to kia.com.au