Kia has officially launched its Tasman ute, with the Korean brand confirming that the highly anticipated ute will be brought to Australia following its initial launch in Korea in the first half of 2025.

Revealed at the Jeddah Motor Show in the Middle East – with a local tandem launch in Tasmania, among others – the Tasman will land in Australia with a 154kW/441Nm 2.2-litre diesel engine mated to an automatic transmission eight-speed. Kia claims this engine is capable of taking the Tasman from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds.

The Tasman uses a double wishbone front suspension, while the rear features a live axle with leaf springs. The suspension is enhanced by Kia’s Selective Frequency Sensitive Damper Control (SDC) and Hydraulic Rebound Stop technology, for improved body control and comfort. It comes with a wading depth limit of 800mm.

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“Kia’s first-ever pickup truck was created from the ground up to transform the market and meet the growing preference for lifestyle-oriented trucks with advanced features,” said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO. Kia management.

Three trim levels will be available: Baseline, X-Line and X-Pro. The X-Line features 18-inch alloy wheels paired with highway and off-road tires; while the X-Pro is designed more for off-road work due to its 28mm higher ground clearance (totaling 252mm) and 17-inch wheels inside the off-road rubber. The X-Pro also has an automatically engaging electronically locking (e-LD) rear differential, as well as an manual entry.

The X-Line and X-Pro variants come with all-wheel drive as standard, but it is optional with the lower-spec base version. In Australia, all-wheel drive variants come with Sand, Mud, Snow and Rock modes. Rock mode in particular is also designed to improve performance in difficult off-road terrain.

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The Tasman features an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) with a full suite of safety equipment, including Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Collision Warning and Rear Park Assist. distance via Highway Driving Assist 2. The system has been optimized to operate when a trailer is attached. .

The Tasman is also equipped with a Ground View monitor, which allows drivers to see what’s happening at ground level when off-road. Think of Land Rover’s invisible hood.

Kia also said customizable chassis cab variants would be sold, as well as single cab options. To that end, the Tasman will offer four different bed accessory configurations: Single Decker, Double Decker, Sports Bar, and Ladder Rack. All except the ladder rack will be available at vehicle launch, as will 13 accessories, including running boards and Beadlock-style wheels.

• Single Decker: Awning, butterfly doors, roof rack
• Double Decker: trunk, gullwing doors, sliding tonneau cover
• Sports bar: functional roll bar frame
• Ladder rack: Ladder-style ladder rack compatible with roof racks

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The load bed measures 1,512 mm (length), 1,572 mm (width), 1,186 mm (between the wheel arches) and 540 mm depth, offering a best-in-class loading capacity of 1,173 litres. its category. The bed has a 240V power outlet. Additionally, the Tasman has a massive payload capacity of 1,195kg (2WD mode) and a towing capacity of 3,500kg.

Commenting on the design, Kia Executive Vice President and Head of Global Design Karim Habib said: “Created especially for explorers, adventurers and people who love to get things done, the Kia Tasman is designed to serve as a reliable companion in all situations.

“Strong and high-performance, its design begins with an honest form, using simple, robust elements to capture a practical spirit. The Kia Tasman is a pickup truck that effortlessly combines lifestyle and utility, and represents our commitment to always bringing bold and innovative ideas to our customers.

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A total of nine colors will be available: Clear White, Snow Pearl White, Steel Grey, Interstellar Grey, Cityscape Green, Runway Red, Aurora Black Pearl, Tan Beige and Denim Blue.

Interior highlights include a multifunction steering wheel; 12.3 inch + 5 inch + 12.3 inch panoramic widescreen screen technology; an available eight-speaker Harmon Kardon premium audio system; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration; a large folding console; two wireless chargers; and hidden storage bins hidden under the rear seats, providing 33 liters of storage. The Tasman offers 940mm of shoulder and legroom in the second row, and the rear seats can recline between 22 and 30 degrees.

Prices will be revealed closer to the vehicle’s launch.