How the Kia Tasman stacks up against South Africa’s R1-million bakkies

Bakkie lovers in South Africa – of which there are many – have a wide range of R1 million bakkies to choose from, including the recently released Kia Tasman.

With a price tag only R5 short of the seven-figure mark, the Kia Tasman X-PRO finds itself wedged in between the hybrid GWM P500, which is about R100 cheaper and the Toyota Hilux GR-S, which is R9,000 more.

Both of the latter options are part of some of the best-selling bakkie ranges in South Africa, with no other bakkie outselling the Hilux, and the P-Series clinging to the top five.

However, it would take a lot of convincing to pry buyers away from these options, especially with the Tasman’s distinct looks that have local bakkie fans divided.

Despite this, the Korean double can is very well equipped and, for that reason, can rival the very best bakkies the local market has to offer.

The Tasman is powered by a turbocharged 2.2-litre diesel motor that produces 154kW and 440Nm, distributed to all four wheels by an eight-speed automatic transmission.

This means the bakkie can hit 100km/h in 10.4 seconds and tops out at 185km/h, all while maintaining an average diesel consumption of 7.8l/100km.

The Tasman is built on an expansive 5,410mm long and 1,930mm wide ladder-frame chassis featuring a double-wishbone front suspension and rear axle with leaf springs to improve load carrying.

This allows it to carry a payload of 1,008kg and a braked towing capacity of 3,500kg.

Inside, Kia opted for a spacious and comfortable cabin that features an artificial leather multifunction steering wheel and seats alongside an extensive suite of modern connectivity options.

Central to this is the 12.3-inch driver cluster and central touchscreen infotainment screen with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a dedicated climate control interface.

The Tasman also features several advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance, as well as blind-spot monitoring and autonomous emergency braking.

How the Tasman compares to other bakkies

The Kia Tasman may have its critics, but it is more than capable of holding its own in South Africa’s bakkie market, and seems set to prove those critics wrong.

Have a look at the table below to see how it compares to the two bakkies closest to it in price.

In terms of size, there is very little difference between the three bakkies, and while their power specs are vastly different, the Tasman proves to have the greatest carrying capacity.

This may be attributed to its special drive modes, which include a Tow function that allows it to redistribute torque to where it is needed most, enabling a high load-bearing and towing capacity.

It is also the most economical of the three, and offers drivers the greatest range.