Kia Tasman 2025: Australian first drive

Chasing Cars has previously had a good look at it inside and out at its global launch event in Tasmania, but this is the first time we’ve been able to drive the 2025 Kia Tasman 4×4 ute. Come July, Kia’s debut pick-up will be officially launched, but we’re one of the few Aussie outlets to get in at the ground level for an early Kia Tasman punt on dirt.

I mention dirt on purpose, because the two vehicles you will see featured are pre-production models in various stages of design, if based on the top spec X-Pro variant that’s price from $74,990 before on-roads.

Why two? The red example on the page before you features a production-ready interior, if with pre-production suspension. Meanwhile, the tan vehicle is the opposite, with Aussie-developed showroom-ready suspension spec, if featuring pre-prod cabin.

This sadly means they aren’t road registered, making our time behind the wheel limited to dirt road driving on private property.

In the words of Kia’s General Manager, Product Planing, Roland Rivero, this is a first taste of the 2025 Kia Tasman, if a genuine one given the model’s key facets are spread across two test vehicles. So clearly we can’t give a definitive verdict on the Tasman until we test the full-fat production ute.

As the global Tasman is largely a Kia Australia development, it feels fortuitous to be involved in the program from this stage of its product development, complete with insight from those doing the developing.

Kia Australia sounds confident right off the bat, too, describing its much anticipated if yet unreleased ute as shaping up to be the best in class – a huge call in such a competitive and potentially lucrative automotive space.

Starting from the ground up, Kia created an all-new ladder frame chassis, bespoke to the Tasman. Robustness was the key design objective we’re told and, as such, Kia engineers decided wisely to stick with a ladder frame chassis construction over a monocoque chassis.

Suspension wise, lower control arm bushes are said to be have been enhanced for longevity. Frequency selective shock absorbers with hydraulic bump stops are also a part of the mix, inclusions normally seen on a desert racer rather than a commercial-grade dual cab. Are you entertained?

At the back end, a traditional solid rear axle leaf spring arrangement joins the party as you’d expect. The rear differential is seriously massive too – it looks the part.

When asked about future variations, Kia officials said there’s no rush for them to look at a coil-sprung rear end for the Tasman. However, that would change if Kia if an SUV version of the Tasman was to be created. You heard it here first…

Performance from the Australian-tuned suspension is really a strong point of the Kia Tasman. If you’re expecting it to ride like a Chinese-manufactured ute – think JAC or LDV, for example – you might be pleasantly surprised.

Speaking with the product developers, it’s clear that they benchmarked this ute against others in the field. I’m not a betting man, but I’d put a dollar on the fact Kia have used vehicles like the Ford Ranger as a baseline, and set out to create something better again.

Does the Tasman ride better than the segment benchmark Ford Ranger? The jury is out, but we’re looking forward to comparing the two competitors in due course, that’s for sure.

We were told multiple revisions were made, and after driving a pre-production model with the older generation of development suspension, I could immediately feel the improvement in the newer, revised setup.

Ride quality on jittery surfaces is smooth and predictable during suspension compression, passenger comfort is exceptional, and high-speed dirt a walk in the park. Kia said it needed the Tasman to be a solid compromise in all settings, and as lofty a goal as that seems, my initial take is that this is one area they have nailed.

Articulation, front-and-rear, is impressive too. Combined with an effective traction control system, featuring various drive modes – the 2025 Kia Tasman seems to be a very capable off-roader.

Being behind the wheel of a top-spec X-Pro variant, a selectable rear differential lock is included. Lower-spec models receive an automatic ‘reactive’ rear differential lock, which decides for you when it thinks both rear wheels should be spinning at the same speed without nay driver input.

Special mention must go to the transfer case used in the Kia Tasman, that features 2WD rear-wheel drive, 4×4 high- and 4×4 low-range to cover most bases. When engaged in 4×4, there is a direct 50/50 torque split front and rear, which is great to see. Four-wheel-drive engagement was quick and easy to navigate via a rather unique toggle on the centre console.

The party tricks don’t end there, with a clutch pack system also incorporated allowing for 4A mode. This means that not only can you to use 4A mode on-road for all-wheel drive traction, but off-road you can pop it into 4A and the clever transfer case – combined with a solid traction control system and eight-speed transmission – does the heavy lifting for you.

This is a very useable inclusion bringing benefits to all end users, from beginners to seasoned enthusiasts.

Selectable terrain modes are great too, which will be offered in SX models and above. These modes alter engine response, throttle response and transmission behaviour to best suit the terrain you are driving. Snow, Auto, Mud, Sand modes for example.

The top-spec variant’s X-Pro mode sees the inclusion of Rock Mode, which Kia says provides precise throttle control and torque distribution to each wheel in rocky ground.

Another key inclusion for the Tasman is X-Trek mode. This is essentially off-road cruise control, not unlike the Crawl control system found in some Toyota 4x4s. It is only operational in 4L as you’d expect and has five console selectable settings, so you can dial up or down your final speed to suit.

Yes, TPMS is included in the Tasman, as well as a display of real time data that can be accessed via the off-road page on the infotainment screen.

Stats include coolant, oil and transmission temps, as well as pitch and roll angles and battery voltage status, which are all a neat touch for a 4×4 nerd such as myself.  It’s nice to see more accurate info displayed rather than just a simple temp gauge.

There’s also ground view monitor, using front facing cameras for usable vision when off-road to help select the right lines through technical terrain.

There are no revelations under the bonnet, with Tasman offering the well-publicised 2.2-litre turbodiesel four offering a lusty 154kW if a hardly segment-challenging 440Nm.

The cooling systems have been beefed up for the Tasman, a water-to-air intercooler has been packaged to chill intake temps. One thing you’ll actually hear is a large cooling fan for the radiator. Kia says this is the largest and highest performing fan they have ever produced.

I didn’t see a filler for an AdBlue system during my walk around. So, for those who don’t want to run AdBlue in their turbo-diesel 4×4, the Kia Tasman looks at this stage to not require it. Something those who tow regularly may appreciate.

Speaking of towing, Tow Mode is another important included function where you are able to select what weight range you are towing, to best prepare the vehicle via an weight based shift pattern in the transmission which can opt to hold gears for longer when climbing.

A trailer brake controller is standard across the range too, with 20 levels of adjustment to dial in. Towing wiring harnesses weren’t finalised, so we weren’t able to tow at this event. We’ll look at that closer to the July launch, but for the record, the 2126kg ute’s GVM is 3250kg and GCM 6200kg, with a payload of 1124kg.

However, it is safe to say that Kia not lacking tech-wise for a 4×4 ute. The off-road mode on screen for example, was super helpful. Providing everything from off-road cameras to relaying vital information on things like oil and coolant temps.

For this initial test, we had some offset moguls to measure suspension travel and traction control systems. A side angle slope, and a rocky hill climb, as well as some large rocks and a small yet tidal river crossing. And we’re impressed so far.

Rounding out first impressions is styling. Our hot take? The Tasman look better and less cartoon-like in person that this reviewer was expecting. Especially with body colour, as opposed to contrasting, wheel flares.

If you’re baulking at the styling seen on the other side of the television screen or computer monitor, wait until you see the Tasman in the flesh.

Even from our first pre-production off-road drive it’s pretty clear that the Kia Tasman does offer is a sweet blend of comfort and tech, matched with genuine off-road ability and ruggedness.

While we still have questions around towing ability and performance figures, we see genuine potential for this model in the Australian market. We’re certainly keen to explore the Kia Tasman further.