Kia Tasman Ute: Bold Styling and Fresh Updates for Australia

The highly anticipated 2025 Kia Tasman ute is edging closer to Australian showrooms, with new prototype sightings revealing design changes that could address one of its most debated styling elements—its wheel arches.

Spotted testing in Australia, a white Tasman prototype features body-coloured wheel-arch flares instead of the previously seen contrasting matte black finish. This new look has been met with interest, as the original "sausage-shaped" flares had drawn mixed reactions from potential buyers.

For Sydney drivers eagerly awaiting Kia’s entry into the ute market, this latest development suggests more customization options could be available when the Tasman arrives at dealerships like Tynan Kia Sutherland later this year.

Updated Styling & Options

Kia appears to be taking customer feedback seriously, working on alternative wheel-arch designs to provide more choice. The prototype seen in Australia featured:

✅ Body-coloured wrap-around wheel-arch flares – an accessory option available through dealerships.✅ Standard body-coloured flares on select trims – rather than the contrasting matte black design.✅ Lower body cladding finished in body colour – though it’s unclear if this will make it to production.

The Tasman’s wheel-arch design has been one of its most polarizing features since its reveal last year. However, Kia Australia reports that customer opinions are shifting after seeing the ute in person. "People who have physically seen it in the flesh seem to have a different opinion from seeing one 2D image of the vehicle," Kia executives noted.

Kia Tasman Pricing & Release Date

The Kia Tasman is set to hit Australian showrooms in July 2025, with official pricing to be confirmed closer to launch. However, early pricing estimates from South Korea provide some insight into what Sydney buyers might expect:

💲 Base dual-cab 2WD – Likely starting in the low $40,000 range.💲 High-spec dual-cab 4WD – Estimated in the mid-to-high $50,000 range.💲 X-Pro off-road variant – Could reach the $70,000 mark before on-road costs, competing with the Ford Ranger Tremor and Toyota HiLux Rogue.

Unlike its South Korean counterpart, which features a 2.5L petrol engine, the Australian Tasman will be powered by a 2.2L diesel engine, which may slightly increase local pricing due to import and homologation costs.

Why the Kia Tasman Could Be a Game-Changer for Sydney Ute Buyers

With the Australian ute market dominated by the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, Kia is aiming to make a "bold impression" with the Tasman’s unique styling and competitive pricing. For Sydney buyers looking for something fresh, this could be an exciting new contender in the dual-cab space.

Dealerships like Tynan Kia Sutherland are expected to receive stock later this year, and demand is likely to be high. Whether you're looking for a workhorse, a weekend off-roader, or a stylish city ute, the Tasman could be worth the wait.

Ensure you search the Tynan stock through our link here.

Credit: Drive.com.au