Kia lift the covers on the Tasman Ute

Kia Tasman ute: polarising design, but it'll still tow your trailer

Here it is—the much-anticipated Kia Tasman, a vehicle that Kia hopes will "redefine the pickup truck".

Australians have been eagerly awaiting this moment, and that includes everyone from your average tradie to grey nomads like my old man, who have kept their eyes glued to the news and chequebooks more or less in hand since it was announced.

Yes, even the caravan-towing retirees have been refreshing their browsers, waiting to see if this ute lives up to the hype.

So has Kia delivered the ute that's supposed to be everything to everyone?

Kia Tasman design: The elephant in the room

Kia's designers apparently decided to throw the ute rulebook out the window, ditching the typical design cues for this segment.

The result? Well, it's certainly different. It's not your typical ute look, and frankly, the reception hasn't exactly been warm.

The expansive radiator grille and Kia's signature Tiger Face headlamps seem like they're from a sci-fi movie with a little bit of F-150 in there. The rear end looks more like a shop sign, with the large Kia branding between two flashy LED lights that remind me of the BMW M2.

It isn't my favourite looking ute, but I certainly don't mind it as much as some.

It's available in nine colours, including an oddly named "Runway Red" (because, of course, you'll need that while towing your boat). And if you're feeling particularly adventurous, you can opt for the X-Line or X-Pro trims, which come with 18-inch alloy wheels and all-terrain tyres, ready to take on whatever you throw at it.

The interior is a retreat for tradies

Inside, Kia has clearly gone all-in on luxury.

The 12.3-inch panoramic widescreen display might make you forget you're driving a ute and instead wonder why Netflix isn't playing. There's also Harman Kardon sound to make sure your favourite tunes echo nicely as you cruise around, looking for the next bit of gravel to conquer.

Storage is surprisingly thoughtful. There's a folding console table for your laptop, dual wireless charging pads, and hidden storage bins under the rear seats. In fact, the rear seats even recline, just in case you want to take a nap before heading out to load some timber.

Kia claims best-in-class headroom and legroom, which would make this ideal for those moving the family around on the weekend. And, if you're feeling especially environmentally conscious, the interior also uses sustainable materials including recycled PET fabric.

Kia Tasman drivetrain

Now, about that engine. In Australia, you're treated to a 2.2-litre diesel with 154KW and 441Nm of torque, which Kia has borrowed from the Sorento SUV. While adequate, they're not exactly barnstorming figures. Sentiment online has been that more was expected considering how long Aussies have been waiting for this ute to arrive.

How does it look next to its competitors?

Take the Ford Ranger, for instance. The Ranger's 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel produces 157kW and 500Nm of torque, while its 3.0-litre V6 diesel cranks out a more impressive 184kW and 600Nm.

Then there's the Toyota Hilux, which tops out with a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel offering 150kW and 500Nm of torque. The Isuzu D-Max, often seen as a workhorse rather than a lifestyle vehicle, delivers 140kW and 450Nm from its 3.0-litre diesel.

All these competitors also match the Tasman's 3,500 kg towing capacity, meaning it's not pulling ahead (pun intended) in that department, but rather matches the competition.

There's also a 2.5-litre petrol option in other markets that does 8.5 seconds to 100 km/h. Australia isn't getting that, but considering the Tasman is also designed to tow 3.5 tonnes, you're probably more concerned about pulling your trailer than drag racing it.

Off-road tech

Off-roading is where the Tasman promises to shine, with its all-wheel drive available and standard on the X-Pro models.

Fancy driving through a bit of mud? No problem. The terrain modes include Sand, Mud, Snow, and for those feeling brave, a Rock mode. There's even X-Trek mode, which allows you to crawl over rough terrain without touching the pedals. It's like cruise control but for 4-wheel-driving.

And if you fancy a bit of wading through water, the Tasman is happy to oblige with an 800mm wading depth.

Practicality

Kia didn't forget that, at its core, the Tasman is a working vehicle.

With a 1,173-litre load bed and a payload of 1,195kg, it's no slouch when it comes to carrying heavy stuff.

For comparison, the Ford Ranger offers a maximum payload of around 1,000 kg, while the Toyota Hilux can handle up to 1,115 kg. So, this could very well be another drawcard for the Kia Tasman.

There's also an illuminated power outlet in the tray for those who like to plug-in tools - or portable fridge setups.

Throw in some corner steps for easy access, a sliding cargo floor, and an array of accessories like a Ladder Rack or Sports Roll Bar, and you've got yourself a ute that will happily carry tools one day and surfboards the next.

The verdict

Due to launch mid-2025, it seems that the Kia Tasman is certainly polarising.

Some might love it, others will hate it and the rest will need time to warm up to it. And while Australians have been eagerly awaiting Kia's first ute, many were probably hoping for a bit more grunt under the bonnet, especially considering Kia produces a 3-litre turbo-diesel for other markets. However, it does have a fair bit going for it, from a well-thought-out, practical and rather luxurious interior to its impressive payload, there will certainly be some buyers for it.

But we'll have to wait and see. What's written on paper could be something completely different on the bitumen, and we're looking forward to testing it out in the real world.