Kia has finally unveiled the new Tasman bakkie after months of teasers and speculation.
The Tasman is Kia’s first-ever pickup truck and will be offered in a variety of body types and trim levels designed to take advantage of both the workhorse and lifestyle markets.
The automaker has confirmed that the Tasman is coming to South Africa, and the vehicle is scheduled to go on sale globally in 2025.
The bakkie will initially go on sale in its home market of South Korea in the first half of the year, after which it will be rolled out to Australia, Africa, and the Middle East.
“The all-new Kia Tasman presents an exciting new opportunity for Kia globally, and indeed in South Africa,” said Paul Turnbull, CEO of Kia South Africa.
“We are hard at work to make the Tasman’s local introduction a reality, and based on current planning, we aim to do this in the second half of 2025.”
A full breakdown
Named after the sea that divides Australia and New Zealand, the Tasman has undergone more than 1,777 tests and 18,000 evaluation rounds across a variety of climates and environments to ensure it can compete with the best of the midsize bakkie segment.
The front conveys a powerful stance with an expansive radiator grille and bumper, while the hood and grille frame is meant to replicate the “Tiger face” associated with Kia’s other products.
The LED headlights and daytime running lights are integrated into the sides of the front nose, and several body parts, from the pillars to the wheel arches, have a 45% degree angle to emphasize the car’s muscular proportions.
There are also nine colours to choose from, namely Clear White, Snow Pearl White, Steel Gray, Interstellar Gray, Cityscape Green, Runway Red, Aurora Black Pearl, Tan Beige and Denim Blue.
At the back, you’ll find a load bin measuring 1,512mm long, 540mm deep, and up to 1,572mm wide (1,186 mm between the wheels), which affords a best-in-class cargo allotment of 1,173 litres, said the company.
Thanks to its strengthened body-on-frame platform, the bakkie can carry up to 1,195kg in the back, which is separate from its max towing capacity of 3,500kg.
Accessing the back is made easier by a pair of side steps integrated into the rear bumper, and the tray itself is equipped with lights, built-in grooves for cargo dividers, and a 220V outlet for appliances.
The engine selection will vary depending on the market, as Korea is getting a 2.5-litre petrol unit with 207kW and 421Nm, while Australia can expect a 2.2-litre diesel block with 154kW and 441Nm.
It’s currently unclear which engines Africa and the Middle East will be allocated, but it’s worth noting Kia already offers several 2.2-litre diesel models in South Africa.
Additionally, petrol bakkies are not very popular on our roads, which makes it far less likely the automaker will include this option for the domestic market.
Both engines can be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but the diesel units can also be had with a six-speed manual shifter.
As for the model selection, the Tasman will be made available as a chassis cab, single cab, and double cab to capitalize on both the commercial and private sectors.
It also has three different trim levels known as the Baseline, X-Line, and X-Pro.
The X-badged derivatives come standard with an all-wheel-drive layout, which is available as an option for the Baseline.
The bakkie also features driving modes for Eco, Smart and Sport, as well as terrain settings for Desert, Mud, Snow and Rock.
Additionally, the Kia has a rear electronic diff lock, and an X-Trek mode that functions like off-road cruise control.
In terms of equipment, the Tasman X-Line is fitted with 18-inch alloy rims and highway tyres, while the X-Pro uses smaller 17-inch rims with all-terrain tyres.
The chunkier tyres means the X-Pro actually ends with 28mm higher ground clearance than its peers, giving it a total of 252mm.
Owners can also customize their bakkie with a number of bed accessory configurations, – Single Decker, Double Decker, Sports Bar and Ladder Rack.
The Single Decker features a canopy with butterfly door, and a roof rack for a rooftop tent, while the Double Decker comes with a trunk with butterfly doors and a sliding tonneau cover.
The Sports Bar option adds a frame useful for mounting outdoor equipment, and the Ladder Rack is compatible with rooftop tents for easy access.
Looking inside, the cabin features an extended 12.3-inch + 5-inch + 12.3-inch widescreen monitor for the driver and infotainment systems, which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Other selling points include two wireless charging pads, automatic climate control, a folding console table, electronically-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, synthetic leather upholstery, 33-litre storage bins under the rear bench, and an optional eight-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo.
There’s a large minimalist multifunction steering wheel, and the air vents use a honeycomb-style pattern.
Buyers also have a choice of five different colours for the upholstery – Onyx Black/Medium Gray, Espresso Brown/Onyx Black, Deep Green/Medium Gray, Onyx Black/Medium Gray, and Deep Green/Terracotta Brown.
More information on the Kia Tasman, such as its model line-up and pricing, should be revealed closer to its South African launch window in the second half of 2025.
Kia Tasman
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