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15 August 2025
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While medium-sized SUV sales are the bread and butter for most automakers in New Zealand, the utilitarian ute remains a staple of Kiwi culture. This is particularly evident when you consider that the top three car brands for 2025 all include a ute in their lineup.
Kia produces many SUVs but ranks just outside the top three most popular car brands. This is a particularly impressive feat considering that they are one of only four brands in the top ten that have not traditionally offered a ute. That is, until now.
Kia New Zealand's Managing Director Todd McDonald says, “the double-cab wellside variant, [is] a style which is incredibly popular amongst Kiwi ute buyers thanks to its all-round functionality and versatility, whether it’s loaded up for work on the farm or for a weekend getaway.”
Introducing the Kia Tasman, a rugged utility vehicle, designed and built specifically for the unforgiving terrain and harsh roads of this region - hence the name. With years of experience as a developer for the South Korean armed forces, Kia knows a thing or two about creating a highly capable and reliable vehicle that can perform well in any scenario.
The vehicle's design suggests a strong military influence. The squared-off lines and bulging wheel arches are reminiscent of the Hummer H3, a vehicle also derived from military origins. While the rugged exterior may not initially win you over, spending time with the Tasman reveals its unique character and appeal, gradually drawing you in.
The base models feature a lower front bumper to achieve a top ANCAP safety rating, whereas the off-road X-Line and X-Pro variants do not have an ANCAP rating. As a result, the base model has a more suburban SUV appearance rather than resembling an off-road ute. Fortunately, Kia has partnered with reputable manufacturers, such as Ute Master, ARB, Maxim, and BG World Wheels, to offer nearly 150 accessories available at launch. This means you can dress your Tasman up from the dealership to enhance its rugged look.
The Kia Tasman boasts all the hallmarks of a Kiwi-inspired ute, equipped with a 2.2-litre common rail turbo diesel engine that produces 154kW of power and 440Nm of torque. The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox and 4WD, offering selectable drive modes: 2WD High, 4WD High, 4WD Auto, and 4WD Low. And, with a braked towing capacity of 3,500kg and a payload of 1,000Kg, the Tasman is built with the credentials to stand against the competition.
So, while the Tasman is engineered for anything and certainly looks the part of a tough and capable ute, can it walk the talk? To find out, Kia invited a group of automotive journalists for a day of off-roading, where we tested the Tasman on one of the most challenging courses created by Dirt Farm and the Downforce team.
The off-road course took us through mud, across slippery clay, up rocky inclines, and over terrain typical of New Zealand farms and less-travelled roads. I was initially worried that the Tasman might get bogged down or stuck, but it confidently navigated rugged terrain with exceptional poise and capability, utilising the Snow, Sand, and Mud modes, along with the additional Rock mode on the X-Pro.
The X-Pro has some impressive tricks up its sleeve, including an Electromechanical Locking Differential (e-LD) and a very useful X-TREK mode. Combined, these features act as a low-speed off-road cruise control, seamlessly managing acceleration and braking to help even the most inexperienced off-road drivers feel confident. When we encountered unstable rocks, large tree trunks, or steep climbs, we simply switched to X-Trek, selected one of its five different speed levels, and let the vehicle crawl over the obstacles.
While seasoned off-roaders may scoff at X-Treck, it isn't just for novices; it balances acceleration and braking over bumpy terrain where your foot may not be able to stay on the pedal, it was a godsend for descending steep slopes.
The X-Pro offers decent ground clearance of 252mm and a wade depth of 800mm, making it well-suited for wet conditions and undulating landscapes. As a result, the chassis and suspension handled the uneven ground in the off-road course with impressive ease.
Stepping inside, the Tasman is every bit Kia. The dash features a panoramic touchscreen display, incorporating a 12.3” infotainment screen, a climate control screen, and a 12.3” instrument cluster. The screen is stunningly sharp and responsive, and features even more off-road technology, including ground view mode, which allowed us to peek over the crest of more challenging hills.
Sitting in the driver's seat, you might be mistaken for thinking you were in one of Kia's premium SUVs. The interior exudes a car-like ambience infused with practicality. A 240V power outlet transforms the workhorse into a mobile office, allowing you to work while on the go.
Trim levels vary across the range, from cloth seats in the base models to composite leather in the top range. Heated and ventilated seats are exclusive to the top-range models, as well as a wireless phone charger, Harman Kardon sound system, and interior lighting. Altogether, the interiors have a quality finish that pushes the boundary between luxury and rugged durability.
With a wheelbase of 3,270mm, an overall length of 5,410mm, and a width of 1,930mm, the Tasman is a colossal ute. Yet, behind the wheel it felt surprisingly nimble and steering was lighter than expected.
Kia's fuel consumption figures present an interesting scenario. The TX models boast an acceptable fuel consumption of 8.7L/100km, while the X-Line and X-Pro models achieve 9.0L/100km and 9.3L/100km, respectively. While these numbers aren't bad, they do fall a little short compared to some of their rivals.
After putting the new Tasman through the rigorous field test, it’s safe to say it truly lives up to the hype. It tackled every challenge on the off-road track with graceful agility, especially when equipped with the X-Trek system, which effortlessly handled any obstacle and made every journey exhilarating.
