The all-new Kia Tasman has landed, and it’s stepping into one of Australia’s most hotly coveted segments - the dual-cab ute market.
It’s a space where Aussies are famously protective, with strong opinions about how a ute should look, drive, and perform. Icons like the Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max and Toyota HiLux have long dominated the scene, carving their initials deep into our national motoring DNA.
So, the big question is, where does Kia’s first-ever ute fit in?
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With its slightly unconventional styling and fresh approach, can the Tasman win over ute loyalists and add its own mark to the love tree, or will it be seen as an outsider trying too hard to join the club?
Kia Tasman 2026: X-Line (4X4) (std) Body Fender
| Engine Type | Diesel Turbo 4, 2.2L |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Fuel Efficiency | 7.8L/100km (combined) |
| Seating | 5 |
| Price From | $67,990 |
Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with?
8 / 10
The Kia Tasman is available in five grades, with only the entry-level S offering the choice of two- or four-wheel drive. The model tested here is the X-Line, which sits second from the top of the range.
At $67,990, before on-road costs, it manages to be the most affordable option when lined up against similarly positioned rivals. For context, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak starts at $69,640, the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain at $70,500, and the Toyota HiLux Rogue at $71,530.
While the entire line-up shares the same engine, the X-Line steps things up with a range of premium features. These include synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, an electric driver’s seat, dual wireless phone chargers (instead of one), LED projection headlights, rear collision warning, a blind-spot view monitor, side parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system - though the latter really should be standard on a ute this size.
On the practical front, the X-Line also scores a remote-release tailgate, a storage box above the rear wheel arch, remote parking assist (via the key fob) plus sliding rear seats with under-seat storage.
Beyond these extras and some design tweaks, equipment is broadly shared with lower grades, which is where the price conversation gets interesting.
The X-Line commands a more than $18,000 premium over the S 4x4, and while that spend brings extra safety and convenience, it won’t completely soften the sting for every buyer.
Standard kit across the range remains strong, with wired and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, dual 12.3-inch displays plus a 5.0-inch climate control screen, satellite navigation (with 10 years' of updates), OTA software updates, digital radio, a full-size spare, tray lighting, a soft-opening tailgate, six USB-C ports, a 12-volt socket and two 240-volt domestic-style outlets.
All up, compared to its direct rivals, the X-Line represents good value for what you get. Against its siblings, the leap isn’t quite as clear-cut but that’s nitpicking in what is otherwise a very competitive package.
Design – Is there anything interesting about its design?
7 / 10
If there’s one thing the Kia Tasman won’t do, it’s blend in. This ute has probably attracted more comments from my friends and family than any other car I’ve tested (and not all of them have been glowing).
With its distinctive, almost swollen curbside stance, the Tasman is a polarising sight. That said, it looks far better in person than in photos, and if you’re unsure, it’s worth giving it a proper once-over before making up your mind.
Kia has leaned hard into the bruiser aesthetic, with chunky 18-inch machined alloy wheels, large body panels, thick plastic wheel-arch mouldings, a bold grille, and a bonnet that seems to stretch on forever.
The details add to the effect, with LED projection headlights, vertical LED daytime running lights, and a handy little storage pocket above the rear wheel arch - which my son immediately claimed as a treasure box, though it’s really meant for practical items like work gloves.
At the rear, corner steps make climbing into the tray easier, but curiously, despite its 224mm ground clearance, Kia hasn’t added side steps for easier cabin access.
Step inside, and any doubts about the exterior styling may quickly fade. The Tasman’s cabin is impressive, with a spacious, premium feel that punches above expectations for a first-time ute.
There’s synthetic leather upholstery and trims, plenty of soft-touch materials in all the right places and a neat honeycomb detail framing the air vents.
The centrepiece is a sleek panoramic display set-up that combines dual 12.3-inch screens with a dedicated 5.0-inch climate control panel, giving the dash a thoroughly modern and upmarket look.
Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside?
8 / 10
The Kia Tasman impresses when it comes to passenger space. This is a genuine five-seater for adults, which is remarkable for a ute that hasn’t gone full-American-behemoth like a Ram or Chevrolet.
At 168cm (5' 6") the only small challenge for me is the lack of side steps because with its 224mm ground clearance and higher seating, climbing in and out can be a bit of a workout, especially on a slope.
Surprisingly, my eight-year-old had little trouble getting in, though he’s not always graceful on the exit. Expect to lend a hand with younger kids.
Seat comfort is excellent across both rows. Long seat bases provide proper under-thigh support and padding is generous. Both front seats are heated across three levels, though it’s a bit disappointing that only the driver’s seat is electric at this grade.
The rear bench is wide enough to comfortably fit three adults, and the flat floor ensures legroom is consistent for everyone. ISOFIX child-seat mounts and top-tether anchor points are present on the outboard seats, though there’s none in the middle, which might disappoint larger families.
Storage options are abundant, making the cabin easy to keep tidy. Up front, there are dual glove boxes - one large enough for more than just the manual and another more well-suited to a phone and wallet.
The middle console is shallow but long and features a 12-volt socket and a lid that flips over to create a picnic tray. There are a couple of generously-sized cupholders and drink bottle holders in each row, perfect if you have one of those emotional support water bottles!
The centre console also houses most of the charging options, including two USB-C ports and two wireless charging pads. There are another two USB-C ports unusually placed on the dash.
The rear offers zipped soft map pockets, device holders on the backs of the front seats, and more in the fold-down armrest.
The rear bench slides forward in a 60/40 split, and the seat bases lift to reveal 31L of storage, when accommodating the jack. Rear passengers also enjoy directional air vents, two USB-C ports and a 240-volt domestic outlet.
Technology in the cabin is mostly intuitive. The touchscreen is responsive, wireless Apple CarPlay is easy to connect, and the built-in sat nav comes with 10 years of map updates.
My only minor gripe is the climate control panel, as the steering wheel occasionally blocks it and the toggle symbols can be tricky to read.
Outside, the tray offers solid practicality with a soft-drop tailgate, full-size spare wheel, LED tray lights, and a payload capacity of 1027kg.
Tray dimensions are 1512mm H x 1572mm W x 540mm D, giving 1173L of storage, plus an extra 240-volt domestic outlet for DIY or worksite convenience.
Under the bonnet – What are the key stats for its engine and transmission?
8 / 10
All Kia Tasman variants are powered by the same 2.2-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, producing 154kW of power and 440Nm of torque.
That places it close to its Isuzu D-Max counterpart in terms of output, though Ford and Toyota rivals still offer slightly higher torque which is something to consider if you’re planning to tow larger toys or heavy trailers.
The X-Line holds its own with a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity, a rear differential lock, and three terrain modes ('Snow', 'Mud' and 'Sand') for added confidence off the beaten track.
Kia has also included a clever ‘Tow Mode’, accessible via its own menu under Trailer on the media display. This feature allows you to select the weight range of whatever you’re towing, which fine-tunes the driving experience, especially how the eight-speed automatic shifts under load.
Efficiency – What is its fuel consumption? What is its driving range?
9 / 10
The X-Line claims an official combined fuel consumption of 7.8L/100km and comes with a generous 80L fuel tank, giving it a theoretical driving range of around 1000km.
In real-world use, a mix of school runs, grocery trips, and a few longer drives, I recorded 8.8L/100km, which is a strong result for a ute of this size and capability.
Of course, this figure doesn’t account for towing a trailer or fully loading the tray, but for everyday family life, the Tasman strikes a good balance between power and efficiency. It’s the kind of ute you can happily drive all week without constantly hunting for a fuel station.
Driving – What's it like to drive?
7 / 10
The X-Line has enough power to feel confident on the open road, though I’d have liked a touch more grunt for overtaking or quick acceleration.
The eight-speed automatic shifts smoothly most of the time, but occasionally drops out of lower gears a bit too quickly, giving a slightly luggy feel when you need an extra burst of speed.
The higher ride height has its pros and cons. Visibility is excellent and you can see the road ahead clearly but it can act a bit like a windsail on the highway, pushing the ute around in strong crosswinds. There’s some roll through corners, though less than I expected.
A practical consideration for families is that from the driver’s seat, it’s often tricky to see small children or pets near the car, so vigilance is key when they’re outside the vehicle!
Ride comfort is decent for a ute. The Tasman absorbs most bumps with ease, though it’s not always perfectly poised on rougher surfaces. Overall, it’s a comfortable open-roader and the cabin remains relatively quiet despite the rumbling turbo-diesel engine.
At over 5.4m in length with a 12.3m turning circle, manoeuvring takes a bit of planning. Thankfully, the 360-degree camera system, along with front, side, and rear parking sensors helps a lot, though I feel more comfortable backing in than reversing out of tight spaces.
Warranty & Safety Rating
Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating?
8 / 10
While the X-Line and flagship X-Pro grades don’t yet carry over the five-star ANCAP safety rating achieved by their siblings in 2025, they do share the same impressive suite of safety equipment.
Standard highlights include blind-spot monitoring, driver attention warning, forward collision warning, seven airbags, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, lane keep assist and lane departure warning, plus SOS emergency call functionality, seatbelt reminders for all seating positions and daytime running lights.
Towing-focused safety is also well covered, with a trailer brake controller and trailer stability assist. Families benefit from two ISOFIX mounts and top-tether anchor points on the outboard rear seats, along with a rear occupant alert and child locks for the windows and doors.
Stepping up to the X-Line grade adds more premium touches, including a blind spot view monitor, parking collision assist, side parking sensors and a crisp 360-degree camera system that makes manoeuvring the 5.4m ute far less intimidating.
Like many recent Kia models, some of the driver assistance tech can be intrusive. The driver attention warning and traffic sign recognition alerts quickly become tiresome, while the lane keep assist feels jerky at times.
Thankfully, the last two can now be toggled off easily from the steering wheel. The adaptive cruise control also isn’t as finely calibrated as rivals as it tends to brake too hard and takes its time returning to speed.
Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs?
8 / 10
The Kia Tasman comes with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is a solid term for the class.
Complementing that is a seven-year capped-price servicing plan, with services averaging $610 per visit. That’s a little higher than some rivals.
For context, the Ford Ranger averages $399, the Toyota HiLux $580, and the Isuzu D-Max $449 per service but it does include roadside assistance if you service through a Kia dealership.
Services are spaced every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. With around 162 Kia service centres across Australia, city and regional owners are reasonably well covered.
Overall, the Tasman offers relatively straightforward ownership, even if servicing isn’t the cheapest in the segment.
Verdict
The new Kia Tasman X-Line might not win everyone over with its styling, but as the saying goes, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. And in this case, Kia has delivered a ute that stacks up impressively where it matters most with its passenger comfort, towing ability, and on-road manners.
It also offers relative good value for the segment and plenty of thoughtful features for families and weekend DIYers. I’ve grown to like it and judging by my son’s enthusiasm, Kia has at least one very young brand ambassador already sold.
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