3 min read

Kia Unveils the 2025 Tasman Ute: Ready to Play

The 2025 Kia Tasman enters Australia's dual-cab ute market, rivaling the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux. Mid-2025 launch with top performance and innovation.

Written by

Carmen Rosái

Last Updated

April 23, 2024

Kia Throws Its Hat in the Ring: The 2025 Tasman Ute Comes to Play

As the dust settles on the Australian ute scene, Kia is rolling up with a serious game-changer: the 2025 Kia Tasman. Set to hit the roads by mid-2025, this dual-cab pickup isn't only making a splash—it's aiming to cannonball right into the deep end where the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux have been comfortably paddling. Yes, folks, Kia's not a dipping a toe in; they’re pretty much doing a belly flop into the highly competitive utility vehicle pool.

The Long Road to the Tasman

Flashback to 2017, and you'd find Kia Australia hustling hard to convince the big bosses that, yes, Aussies really do love their utes and Kia needs to be in on the action. Fast forward through a few speed bumps (thanks, global pandemic), and by 2022, Kia's global CEO is dropping hints like hotcakes about not one, but two electric utes. It’s all systems go to mesh good ol' utility with a zesty twist of electric pizazz.

Under the Hood and Beyond

What’s the Tasman packing? Well, for starters, a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine that’s already been turning the wheels of the Kia Sorento, kicking out a respectable 148kW and 440Nm. That's enough to give the Mazda BT-50 and Isuzu D-Max a run for their money. But wait, there’s more—rumours are swirling about a beefier 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder diesel from the swanky Genesis GV80 possibly joining the lineup, because who doesn’t want more grunt?

Design-wise, the Tasman isn’t just another pretty face. With a burly, boxy build and a grille big enough to barbecue on, it’s as stylish as it is sturdy. Positioned snugly between the smaller utes and the hefty American pickups, it's like the perfect middle child: the right amount of sass with a lot of the class.

Ready to Rumble

Now, for the juice: Kia might just be prepping a high-octane variant to throw down with the Ford Ranger Raptor. Imagine a twin-turbo V6 engine, potentially the slick 3.5-litre from the Hyundai and Genesis stables, cranking up to 305kW and 550Nm. Now, tha'ts what we call in the industry a mic drop.

Kia’s been seen testing this beast in the wilds of Sweden, eyeing the Raptor as if to say, “I’m coming for ya.” It’s not solely about raw power, though. This is about snagging those who crave a ride that can jump from city streets to rugged trails without skipping a beat.

Pricing and the Pitch

Kia’s playing it smart with the sticker price, aiming to undercut the pricier heavy-hitters without skimping on the goods. Think somewhere in the $60,000 ballpark for the top-tier models, decked out with all the trims but still keeping a tight grip on the wallet. Plus, a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty is Kia’s cherry on top, sweetening the deal for anyone sitting on the fence.

What’s at Stake?

Kia isn't launching any ole ute; they’re lobbing a full-scale market invasion with the Tasman. They’ve set their sights on selling a whopping 20,000 units annually, aiming to get in on the ute market and to redefine it. If they pull it off, this could shuffle the leaderboard in a market dominated by the likes of Ford and Toyota.

Bottom line? The 2025 Kia Tasman is a new bold statement from Kia. It promises to blend traditional rugged charm with a pinch of future-tech flair, all wrapped up in a package that’s as appealing to the workaday warrior as it is to the weekend explorer. Kia’s throwing down the gauntlet in the ute market, and it’s going to be one heck of a show to watch.

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Industry News and Developments

Carmen Rosái

June 17, 2025

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3 min read

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