Smarter than a Ford Ranger Wildtrak? 2025 Kia Tasman X-Pro's new off-road features detailed ahead of new ute's mid-year launch, but will it be enough to win sales off the Toyota HiLux GR-Sport or Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain?

Kia has detailed the hardware and software capabilities of its halo Tasman X-Pro ahead of the new ute’s launch in mid-2025.

The Tasman X-Pro adds to the Korean ute’s already long list of off-road features, such as a 4A mode (which allows the transmission to automatically engage four-wheel drive upon loss of traction, rather than having to manually select it as is the case in many rivals) and a mechanically locking rear differential, with what it calls a ‘proactive’ electronic rear differential lock (or e-LD, for short).

This is different from the standard differential lock that can fully lock the rear wheels to prevent slip in off-road situations, in that the locking parameters can be pre-set by the driver to prevent locking when it's not required, depending on the traction available.

Additionally, the X-Pro will come with a specially developed Hankook all-terrain tyre option, which is paired with a specific calibration for the otherwise-standard frequency-selective shock absorbers.

The suspension specific to the X-Pro also has an additional 14mm of spring height, which combines with the larger tyre diameter for an extra 28mm ride height over other models.

This brings the total ride height to 252mm, with an approach angle of 32.2 degrees, an over-angle of 25.8 degrees, and a departure angle of 26.2 degrees, which is better than most of its dual-cab rivals.

On top of the standard drive modes (Auto, Snow, Mud, and Sand) the X-Pro adds a Rock driving mode which accounts for bumpier and more rutted terrain. It also includes an X-Trek mode, which is effectively a low-speed cruise control function, allowing the Tasman to automatically control the throttle while the driver concentrates on steering.

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Additional software features for the X-Pro includes an off-road panel in the multimedia suite showing tyre pressures, yaw and pitch angles, steering direction, oil pressure and temperature, as well as a ground-view monitor that uses the vehicle's cameras to display vision of the ground below for better wheel positioning.

All Tasman variants also score in integrated, factory-fit brake controller with sway control features, with the software allowing the driver to pre-set trailer weight and dimensions, which alters the transmission mapping for better performance while towing. The maximum towing capacity of the Tasman is 3500kg.

To bolster confidence in its passenger-car-sourced 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine (154kW/440Nm), Kia says the Tasman scores a specific high-temperature engine radiator and a much larger cooling fan (said to be the highest-specification for cooling for any Kia model), with a water-to-air intercooler.

Kia says the eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission has had significant work when it comes to shift mapping, with input by the Australian team, so that it is better geared for both on- and off-road situations, depending on drive mode.

The Kia Tasman officially launches in Australia in July 2025, with the first customer deliveries happening around the same time.

Kia says it has already received “close to” 2000 orders for its Tasman ute, most of which are for this high-grade X-Pro offering. It expects the Australian market will need to account for some 20,000 units a year for the model to be a success, globally.

But it won’t have to just worry about the existing ute pantheon of mainly Rangers, HiLuxes, D-Maxes, and Tritons. It also needs to face the disruptive new players, from GWM’s Cannon Alpha, JAC’s T9, MG’s U9, and of course, the trend-setting BYD Shark 6.