Kia Tasman X-Line 2026 review

The ute market is changing faster than ever, and although on the surface the Kia Tasman seems conventional with body-on-frame construction and a four-cylinder turbo-diesel, when you start getting under its skin, it’s clear the game is moving on.

Pitched as a direct rival to Australia’s best-sellers that include the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton, Kia’s new pick-up’s second-from top X-Line is what we’re tackling today off the back of its win in our recent four-way comparison.

Situated above the SX+ and below the flagship X-Pro, the X-Line blends premium cabin features without dipping into off-road excess. Pricing is $67,990 before on-road costs, or $70,990 driveaway, nationally.

Welcome upgrades over the SX+ include twin wireless charging pads, a column type shifter (which frees up centre console storage), and power-adjust driver’s seat. Sadly, it doesn’t get ventilated seats — they’re reserved for the $$77,990 (driveaway) X-Pro.

Key rivals for the Tasman X-Line include the Ford Ranger Sport BiTurbo ($66,340, no heated seats), Toyota Hilux SR5 Premium Pack ($65,760), Isuzu D-Max LS-U+ ($65,500), and Mitsubishi Triton GSR Special Edition ($65,290). The list is longer, but for brevity’s sake, those are the consistent best-sellers.

The Tasman X-Line is equipped with the following features:

• 18–inch alloy wheels
• LED projector headlights
• Privacy glass
• 12.3-inch touchscreen, 5.0-inch HVAC screen
• Twin wireless charging pads
• 360-degree camera
• Blind-spot view monitor
• Black artificial leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Tilt & slide second row seats
• Under-bench rear seat storage
• Rear air vents
• Drop-in bed liner
• 240V outlet in tray

The Tasman X-Line comes with a litany of standard safety features, including seven airbags, auto emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control and more.

There’s also the twin annoyances of driver attention monitoring and speed limit assist, which need to be disabled every time you start up.

The Kia Tasman does not require AdBlue, and is rated to use 7.8L/100km in the ADR combined cycle. We saw 11.8L/100km during our assessment.

Servicing is due every 12 months or 15,000km and will cost $2809 over five years if you opt for a pre-paid pack.

Like the rest of the Kia lineup, the Tasman ute range is covered by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

How does the Tasman X-Line drive?

There’s been plenty of conjecture about the Tasman’s under-sized and undergunned powertrain. After all, it’s taking aim at the Ford Ranger, offered with a V6, along with a new breed of plug-in hybrid utes such as the petrol-electric-powered BYD Shark 6.

Truth is, the Tasman’s 154kW/440Nm 2.2-litre diesel feels entirely adequate, and even above key rivals such as the Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max thanks to a decisive calibration of its eight-speed automatic transmission.

Add to that a consistent torque curve and even without the 500Nm peak, the Tasman’s muscle is enough. But you better believe there’s room for a future, punchy, plug-in hybrid to target BYD’s Shark 6.

It’s a quiet ute most of the time, with good road noise suppression. Only sometimes does the gearbox hold a gear at 2000rpm, when the engine’s most vocal.

Tasman rides on leaf springs at the back with a live rear axle and a huge differential — sometimes it can be harsh, especially at the back. A Ranger remains better but this is still right up there with the best thanks to clever frequency selective dampers and local tuning.

That local tuning — including of the steering — imbues the Tasman with great confidence on country roads. It’s secure, fluid and easy to drive.

Visibility is great and LED headlights with auto high-beam throw a large pool of light at night.

Off-road, the Tasman is a surprise package. Its traction control works in tandem with a (admittedly slightly unrefined but fit-for-purpose) auto-locking rear differential for good traction and capability.

The X-Line’s different front bumper to the S, SX and SX+ mean you’re less likely to ground out when bush-bashing, too.

What is the Tasman X-Line interior and tech like?

No one would call the Tasman’s sheet metal beautiful, but lots will call the cabin stylish, airy and remarkably practical.

It really is best to be inside the Tasman, with its bulky, boxy proportions paying dividends inside. This is the best dual-cab back seat on the market, with space, amenity (including zip-up pockets) and great visibility.

The Tasman even features split-folding rear seats that make it easier to get child seats in and out.

In the front, there are three screens, two touch (12.3-inch and 5.0-inch) for multimedia and HVAC control, plus a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display. All works well, in the Tasman, save for the slightly obscured air-con controls.

Wireless Apple CarPlay plus Android Auto, twin wireless charging pads, generous door bins, a fold-out table and more make this one of the most practical front seats, too.

Chairs themselves are 10-way power adjustable, appointed in synthetic leather, but it’s perforated and softer to the touch than you might expect. Heating is standard though ventilation is reserved for the dearer X-Pro.

The tub is clever as well, featuring a double-sealed three-pin socket, chunky tie-down points, drop-in bedliner, LED lighting, neat wheel arch storage, a well-damped tailgate and competitive 1027kg payload. Braked towing is rated at a fulsome 3500kg.

The honest verdict on the Tasman X-Line

Breaking conventions in all the right ways, the Kia Tasman is more than the sum of its parts.

The engine feels stronger than you expect, off-road chops are solid, load-lugging good and it’s all combined with a cabin that’s a breath of fresh air in this segment.

The X-Line’s key advantages over the SX+ come down to a better, more practical cabin layout, more consistent styling, improved off-road ability and nicer presentation — and we reckon that this higher grade is probably worth the extra $8600 outlay.