Top marks for incoming dual-cab ute challenger: 2026 Kia Tasman ute achieves five star safety in ANCAP testing, matching the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux

The Kia Tasman ute has been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on the current 2023-2025 testing protocols.

It achieved 85 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, 85 per cent for Child Occupant Protection, 74 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection, and 80 per cent for Safety Assist.

It’s worth noting the Tasman’s five-star rating only applies to certain 4x4 dual-cab pick-up variants. The X-Line and X-Pro, as well as the entry-level S 4x2 dual-cab pick-up remain unrated.

This also applies to the forthcoming single-cab and dual-cab chassis variants that are due to arrive later this year.

ANCAP noted the Tasman “performed well” across the crash protection and collision avoidance tests.

Specifically, high scores were achieved for the low risk of injury the adult and child dummy occupants received during the frontal offset crash test.

The safety authority also noted the Tasman has a “moderately low” crash compatibility risk, which for its size and mass it did “very well”. This test assesses the risk the test vehicle has to potential crash partner vehicles and their occupants.

A penalty was applied, however, in the full width frontal crash test when the pelvis of the driver dummy slipped beneath the lap section of the seatbelt.

“Fleet buyers and potential Tasman customers across the country have been eagerly awaiting the Tasman’s safety rating, and this five-star result will be welcome news,” said ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg.

“With such strong market presence and consumer demand, it’s pleasing to see manufacturers continuing to prioritise safety in this segment.

“The dual-cab shopping list is already healthy, and we expect to see it grow further with other new contenders entering the market in the coming months.

“Consumers and fleets should check the ANCAP website regularly to ensure they have all the information they need to make an informed, and safe, purchasing decision.”

As standard the Kia Tasman receives safety features like seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, adaptive cruise control, intelligent speed limit assist, driver attention monitoring, reversing camera, as well as front and rear parking sensors.

All models also receive an emergency SOS calling function.

Stepping up to the SX gets you Highway Drive Assist 2 which combines adaptive cruise control and lane centring. It also includes an assisted lane change function.

Opting for the X-Line and above gets you additional features like reverse AEB, a surround-view camera and side parking sensors.

The flagship X-Pro variant also gains a Ground View Monitor, which is helpful to see under the car when off-roading.

It’s worth noting that all Tasman variants also have ISOFIX points and top-tether child seat anchorages on both outboard rear seats.

There’s no top-tether point on the middle rear seat, so ANCAP doesn’t recommend installing child seats in this position.