Review: Kia Tasman ute

Kia’s new Tasman ute takes on NZ’s toughest terrain with rugged style, serious towing power, and tech-laden comfort

However, today, I’m on a bus, heading for the outskirts of Otaki, involving a hill climb steep enough to challenge even the toughest of trucks, but which the FUSO bus takes in its stride.

We arrive at the purpose-built Kia test track, representing 800-man hours of effort, and keenly take in the first glimpse of the new Kia Tasman ute glinting in the low morning sun. I stare at it, cuppa in hand with soft-boiled curiosity, with a mental note to avoid sounding like an over-caffeinated influencer on the gram when the test drive begins. Whilst I’ve sat behind the wheel of most ute brands and test-driven almost all of them, this is my first official ‘real’ ute product launch, set up to allow a full immersion into the new release.

First Impressions

It doesn’t photograph well (meaning it looks better in person) and the styling is as subtle as a sledgehammer (which I like). Kia has gone all-out with chunky lines, a bold grille and LED headlights that might just outshine the neighbour’s Christmas decorations. It’s not shy, and frankly, in a ute market where ‘rugged’ and ‘Remuera tractor’ are constantly duking it out, in the flesh, this offers a fresh and different story – the Kia Tasman boasts both rugged complexity and stylish good looks, effortlessly managing to combine the two – no easy task.

Under the Bonnet

The Kia Tasman is packing a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine under the bonnet, delivering 201hp, or 150kW and 450Nm of torque. Fuel usage wise – 7.9L/100km is the official figure, and I’d reckon expect closer to 10 or more if you’re towing, which is still respectable. Kia’s offering a 5-year/150,000km deal, with service intervals are every 15,000km.

Transmission

The 8-speed automatic gearbox shifts extremely smoothly, with gears 1-3 being lower ratio, great for off road and towing and then the remainder of the gears progressively having a higher ratio for highway fuel economy. Kia’s given the Tasman proper four-wheel drive and selectable terrain modes and there’s enough clearance and optional belly plate to tackle the odd bit of heavy duty off roading without losing your exhaust pipe or even worse, your sump. There is also an underbody camera that shows the front of the ute in real time. This is great for the test track or the farm – or the Remuera kerb.

During our test drive, we chucked it on MUD and I can tell you the Tasman’s 4WD system grips like a toddler holding a bag of jet planes. Hill descent control, locking rear diff, and enough driving modes to make you feel like Bear Grylls. I tried “Snow Mode”, which admittedly was more for novelty than necessity – unless you’re planning a mission to the Ruapehu carpark in July. Then there is X-TREK – think cruise control but for off road, adjustable and climbing logs and rocks. It’s primo.

Interior

Jump inside and you’ll be treated to a cabin that’s fancier than your local RSA on quiz night. Soft-touch surfaces, leather options, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen that boasts wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and the digital dash. There are heated seats, cupholders for days, rear vents and some clever storage nooks, crannies and cubbyholes – plus even a panoramic sunroof on the X -PRO for those who think a ute should double as a mobile bach. It also has some nice ‘industrial’ touches in the interior – the door handles are a personal favourite.

Tech

If you’re the sort who calls Bluetooth “that blue-tooth thingy,” you’ll be chuffed with the Tasman’s smorgasbord of gadgets. Adaptive cruise, blind spot monitoring, lane keep, a 360-degree camera that’ll expose every dent in your tray, and eight airbags to keep you safe. Plus, you get double wireless charging, auto climate, and even remote start – handy for those frosty Taranaki mornings when you’d rather stay indoors until your ute’s toasty, so you can defrost at speed.

Towing and tray

At 5400mm long and 1900mm wide, the Kia Tasman is no shrinking violet. And at over 2.2T there is plenty of weight to allow for the generous towing stats. The size also means the tray is a generous too: 1600mm long and 1550mm wide, wide enough for a standard Kiwi pallet. I’m also told it fits an Aussie- and European-width pallet. I admit I don’t know the difference, but you can rest assured that in the pallet department, the Tasman is the United Nations of the ute market. The payload nudges 1000kg regardless of pallet origin and braked towing capacity is a respectable 3500kg – matching the front runners.

On the Road

Let’s be honest, most Kiwi utes spend more time on tarmac than in a muddy paddock. So how does the Tasman handle the mean streets of Morrinsville in the Waikato? The ride is softer than a pair of well-worn Red Bands thanks to independent front suspension and a rear leaf setup. It’s a classic recipe, but finely tuned and that’s before we have even got to the road noise – which would be a notable mention, if there actually was any.

Value for money?

Here’s the clincher, pricing is clear and simple, unlike the often shrouded in secrecy of the machinery market. With Kia, its all-open book and Kia’s talking sharp entry points on its five model options. Expect low $50k drive-away for the base spec, with top models nudging very late $70k for the full spec model loaded with kit.

Accessories

Kiwi company Utemaster are the supplier of the majority of the 146 accessory options on the Tasman and these look really smart. Cab and chassis models are coming later in the year but almost any option you can think of is available. I was expecting to see one kitted out with the stainless snorkel that all the cool cats have, but I was not in luck (yet).

Summary

Kia admit to being latecomers to the ute party, but sometimes that can have its positives. The Kia Tasman is now at the party, and it’s single and ready to mingle. A proper all-rounder, it’s definitely not just here to make up the numbers. It’s bold, clever, and genuinely competitive – I think a bonafide contender for ute of the year.