The Kia Tasman is Kia’s bold entry into the highly competitive pickup truck market, marking the brand’s first-ever ute. Launched in 2025, this mid-size pickup truck combines rugged capability, advanced technology, and competitive pricing to challenge segment leaders like the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger.
It supports work and leisure lifestyles, is suitable for all practical applications including public work, commercial and private business, so the Kia Tasman is ideal for purchasers in markets such as Australia, New Zealand and the GCC. Here is everything you need to know about the Kia Tasman price, design, safety, performance, technology, options, and what we think based on initial information and images.
Overview and Design
The Kia Tasman, named after the Tasman Sea, is a mid-size pickup truck built on a robust body-on-frame chassis, designed for durability and off-road performance. With its length of about 5400 mm, width of 1930 mm and height of 1850 mm, it boasts four modes of the cargo bed – Single Decker, Double Decker, Sports Bar and Ladder Rack.
The car features an aggressive, boxy design and comes with vertically positioned LED headlights along with C-shaped LED DRLs embedded in its wheel arches as well as a trademark tiger-nose grille. Kia Tasman comes in 8 different colours, Clear White, Aurora Black, Sunset Orange and strikes the perfect middle-ground between rugged and modern.
Inside, the design is spacious and no-nonsense with a clean, horizontal dash, durable materials, and upscale accents in top trims like leather-accented seats and interior ambient lighting. A pair of 12.3 inch screens are provided: one acts as a digital instrument cluster, the other as the touchscreen infotainment system, and both support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Add-ons such as a folding console table, dual wireless charging pads and 33 liters of concealed storage beneath the rear seats, bolster practicality. To do so, and appeal to even more buyers, the 2018 Kia Tasman price is set to reflect its high-end style and feature-packed cockpit, which will see it as a real ute rival.
Powertrain and Performance
The Kia Tasman is powered by a 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, producing 154 kW of power and 440 Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual in select markets. A 2.5-liter turbo-petrol engine is available in regions like the UAE, delivering 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.
The diesel engine achieves an estimated fuel consumption of 7.4 L/100 km, making it efficient for a one-tonne ute. With a braked towing capacity of 3500 kg, a payload of up to 1124 kg, and a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3250 kg, the Tasman is built for heavy-duty tasks.
The vehicle offers 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains, with an all-wheel-drive system featuring ECO, Smart, and Sport modes, plus terrain modes (Snow, Mud, Sand, Rock) and an X-Trek mode for low-speed off-road driving. It also has 252 mm (X-Pro variant) ground clearance and 800 mm wading depth for fantastic off-road performance.
Riders rave about the Tasman’s comfortable city ride and its ability to perform off-road, but some say the torque on the diesel engine takes a backseat to competitors, allowing them to easily out-gear it on steep inclines. The Kia Tasman price is a result of its all-around performance and sturdy construction.
Also Read: 2025 Kia Carens: Features, Specs, and Price
Safety and Technology
Safety is also a priority thanks to an extensive range of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) such as Lane Forward Assistance 2 (LFA2), Adaptive Cruise Control and a 360-degree camera. The baseline model comes with 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, and a reversing camera among its standard fitout.
Step up a model and you also get a blind-spot-monitoring system, rear parking sensors and a tyre pressure-monitoring system (TPMS). The Ground View Monitor enhances off-road safety by displaying terrain beneath the vehicle. The Tasman has aced ANCAP safety tests, though it scored slightly lower than some Chinese rivals like the BYD Shark 6.
Technology accouterments featured are dual 12.3-inch screens, wireless connectivity, dual-zone climate control, and a Harman Kardon audio system on premium trims. X-Pro has an off-road information page which shows the rider oil pressure, tyre pressures, as well as pitch/roll angles. Coupled with a competitive Kia Tasman price, you have a tech-forward pickup.
Kia Tasman Price and Variants
The Kia Tasman price varies by region and variant, with drive-away prices in Australia ranging from AUD $46,490 to $77,990 for dual-cab pickups as of July 2025. Below is a breakdown of key variants and their pricing in Australia:
- S Dual-Cab Pickup 4×2: AUD $42,990 (ex-showroom), $46,490 (drive-away)
- S Dual-Cab Pickup 4×4: AUD $49,990 (ex-showroom), $53,890 (drive-away)
- SX Dual-Cab Pickup 4×4: AUD $54,490 (ex-showroom), $58,490 (drive-away)
- SX+ Dual-Cab Pickup 4×4: AUD $62,390 (ex-showroom), $66,490 (drive-away)
- X-Line Dual-Cab Pickup 4×4: AUD $67,990 (ex-showroom), $70,990 (drive-away)
- X-Pro Dual-Cab Pickup 4×4: AUD $74,990 (ex-showroom), $77,990 (drive-away)
- S Single-Cab Chassis 4×2: AUD $38,010 (ex-showroom), drive-away price TBD
Drive-away prices in Western Australia are approximately $1000 higher. On-road costs include registration, insurance, and taxes, typically adding $3500-$5000 to ex-showroom prices. Australian New Zealand TX 4WD starts from NZD 52,690 (plus on-road costs), with EMI options such as $149/week for a 48-month term on a $10,000 deposit. In India, Kia Tasman price is projected at ₹ 40.00-45.00 lakh (on-road, Delhi), however, launch date is currently not confirmed but expected to be in June 2026. The vehicle is also available under a novated lease with a sub 1000 kg payload, making it popular among fleet users.
Comparison with Rivals
The Kia Tasman competes with established utes like the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, and Isuzu D-Max, as well as emerging Chinese models like the BYD Shark 6 and JAC T9:
- Toyota Hilux: Priced from AUD $36,700 (4×2), it offers a 2.8-liter diesel with 150 kW and 500 Nm but lacks the Tasman’s premium interior features like dual 12.3-inch screens.
- Ford Ranger: Starting at AUD $43,280 (4×2), it delivers more power (157 kW bi-turbo) but is priced similarly to the Tasman’s mid-range trims, with fewer standard safety features.
- Isuzu D-Max: Priced from AUD $36,700 (3.0-liter), it matches the Tasman’s towing capacity but offers a less refined cabin.
- BYD Shark 6: A hybrid ute with competitive pricing, it scored higher in ANCAP tests but lacks the Tasman’s diesel efficiency.
The Kia Tasman price is very competitive with those of the compact crossover or SUV, and this is on the setting at the base when compared with other like-sized vehicles for sale, although for the engine performance it is slightly shyer from some of its rivals.
Conclusion
Now the Kia Tasman price for Australia starts at AUD $46,490 (drive-away) and we believe that in India it will be launched at between ₹40.00-45.00 lakh, making it a class disruptor for the mid-size pick-up truck segment. With a hard-to-kill finish, slick tech integration and a host of safety inclusions, the Musso is a solid player against the likes of the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. It lags a bit in torque and a tad in rural service network, but the fuel efficiency, towing ability, and luxury touches make it an all-arounder.
