Kia Tasman Ute: Don’t Knock It Until You Drive It

Kia Australia is on a mission to change perceptions about its first-ever ute, the Kia Tasman, urging potential buyers to take a closer look and, most importantly, get behind the wheel before forming an opinion. With its launch just around the corner, the Kia Tasman is set to take on the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger in the highly competitive ute market – and Kia is confident it has what it takes to stand out.

The Confidence to Challenge the Competition

Despite initial criticisms of the Tasman’s styling and its four-cylinder diesel engine, which some argue falls short of the torque offered by rival utes, Kia Australia is standing firm. Damien Meredith, CEO of Kia Australia, has a clear message: “Drive it.”

The brand believes that once you see the Tasman in person and take it for a test drive, you'll understand why it’s worthy of your attention. According to Dean Norbiato, Kia Australia's Head of Marketing, extensive work has been done to ensure the Tasman’s off-road capability is unparalleled, making it a worthy competitor for the toughest challenges.

"We’re very confident in its off-road capability," said Norbiato, "the extensive work that has been done by Graeme Gambold [Kia Australia ride/handling engineer] and the team on this product far outstrips anything else."

Kia’s confidence is not unfounded. With over 25,000 expressions of interest already received, the brand is gearing up for a successful launch, and early feedback has been promising. In fact, after physically seeing the vehicle at events like the Brisbane 4x4 Show, 80% of the feedback was positive regarding the Tasman’s aesthetics.

Why the Kia Tasman is Worth the Wait

The 2025 Kia Tasman will be offered in a dual-cab pick-up form starting in July, with a dual-cab chassis available in August and single-cab chassis models expected between October and December. As Kia’s first-ever ute, it will feature five model grades, including the X-Line and X-Pro trims, and is expected to compete not just on price but also on practicality and capability.

While pricing is still to be confirmed, early indicators suggest the Tasman may be priced more competitively than rivals like the Ford Ranger, making it an appealing option for those looking for value for money. Kia is focused on providing a complete package — quality, performance, and pricing that make the Tasman stand out from the competition.

Kia’s internal forecasting is ambitious, with sales projections of 10,000 to 11,000 units for 2025, and 20,000 units in 2026. As the ute market faces challenges, such as “peak ute” in terms of sales growth, Kia believes that the Tasman’s combination of off-road capability, practical features, and value for money will draw customers from other brands.

Get Ready for the Kia Tasman at Tynan Kia

The Kia Tasman is quickly becoming a top contender in the ute market, and Tynan Kia is excited to offer it to you. Whether you're looking for a workhorse or a weekend adventure vehicle, the Tasman promises to deliver on both fronts.

Make sure to keep an eye out for the upcoming arrivals and head down to Tynan Kia to experience the Tasman in person. See it for yourself, take it for a test drive, and discover just how capable this new ute truly is.

Don’t knock it until you try it.

Ensure you search the Tynan stock through our link here.

Credit: Drive.com.au