2025 Kia Tasman Ute Review: Will it SURVIVE?

[@Timmokenn]

The plastic looks like it’s already faded in the sun .. that’s gonna absolutely shit in 2-3 years when it looses its black

[@NathanNostaw]

Nah, it's like pre distressed denim. It will look consistently shit from day one. :)

[@shannonrussell7151]

What is loose about it? Thought it may be pretty well put together. Too early to tell if there are any loose parts.

[@joshsmith9058]

Its not polarising. That would mean that there is equal amount of people who love it.

[@zoltanrudolf]

Would that be bipolarising?!

[@KingThabiso]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@TamborineTV]

Look, I completely agree, the interior looks like a wonderful place to be. However, the exterior and the drivetrain is utterly inexcusable.

[@freetorobandloot]

Well, she is beautiful on the inside. 😂

[@LetterboxFrog]

@@TamborineTV I used to have a 2013 Sorrento with the 2.2L engine. It accelerated much faster than our current 3.2L Everest. No low range though so the wheels spun on gravelly hills and when you floored the pedal at the lights. Everest much better behaved off road, but not as much fun

[@HG80369]

Don't like the honycomb dash trim...going to collect the dust.

[@anthonyrogers1508]

and hopefully you don’t get no dirt on the inside🤔 because those switches will not work after that🤷🏽

[@anthonyrogers1508]

😮 please just don’t get no dirt in it. Don’t look like it’s built for off-road. don’t look like it could handle a dirty Job. 🤔

[@HabitualFixation]

How this DESIGN got signed off on multiple levels I'll never know?!?

[@Toubabou]

Former Ssangyoung design team got promoted to group level c suite

[@michaelsaint9181]

It's designed for the elite eco warrior latte set who want to stand out in a crowd. Problem is they can't afford them as they are welfare bludgers.

[@CalvinHikes]

That headlight on the fender is... unbelievable.

[@idontfollowyou]

I would like to know, but only for the LOL's

[@NathanNostaw]

Surely they ran the design past an Australian market group for feedback. Sadly that group clearly don't own utes or drive cars. I'm guessing the group consisted of phd product design students.

[@MC-jf6ic]

Somebody needs to get fired in the design section. Were the designers crossed eyed or something?

[@amurika6336]

😂😂😂😂

[@robertjohnston6768]

If only the poor bugger had those eye issues but instead they were actually blind! Braille design is not going to work

[@bourbonbrewer]

Good luck competing in Aus with this thing. Our current supply has nothing to worry about. The BYD Shark leaves this thing for dead.

[@agfitts]

Why all kia Tasman press cars are In black? To hide fugly sides

[@vitorharalambus6537]

@@agfittscorrect, to try and hide all of it

[@zoltanrudolf]

I can’t take my eyes off the Shark and I can’t keep my eyes on the Tasman!

[@bourbonbrewer]

@@zoltanrudolf Damn mate I am hearing you, Tasman is bloody horrid! IMO (all have their individual tastes)

[@bourbonbrewer]

@@zoltanrudolf why the initial AI rendered images of the Tasman were not adopted by KIA I have no idea. The few I saw were very similar in look and looked bloody awesome. I was excited (as my Ranger now 6yrs old is up for replacement) Pitty I cant buy the Shark as it doesnt have the towing capacity to tow my caravan, 3t minimum. Oh well maybe they will modify towing capacity in next version. (They will have to for Aussie market as we have lots of caravaners and tradies that tow decent loads)

[@nikitasamsonov2909]

Am I the only that likes it 😂

[@Rivetroad]

I don’t like it. I love it. A decent set of wheels and tyres with some accessories & this will be an awesome rig

[@shagradauyo]

I think it looks great 👍

[@vinceking719]

It's something different. I don't want a ute that looks like everything else on the road. I hope I can afford one of these

[@kingjulien9525]

Coming from someone who drive a 25 Carnival EX, it's so ugly I LOVE AAAIT!!

[@tshedisomatlhatsi2205]

Imagine it as Optimus Prime 🔥🔥🔥

[@gordonclark7632]

Polarising? That has to be the understatement of the year. How anti car designer can design a vehicle for off road use and then put the lights at the very spot where they are going to get whacked at the first tree branch. If plastic slap on bits make a car look good, then this is beautiful.

[@TalismanPHX]

Its not ugly. It's FUGLY. 😮

[@KingThabiso]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@sammackenzie5436]

Its as ugly as F... wasn't worth the wait, will have to wait to see what the next version will look like. BYD got my attention now.

[@YaphatsInso]

it looks okay in the prototype.. now...

[@Tammy-xf4kz]

Exterior design is definitely not going to be it's best selling point

[@RationalAUS]

The Shark looks amazing. If i was a tradie, I'd seriously considering buying one. The Leopard looks just as good, might wait for the bad boy.

[@jasonmach339]

Totally clueless

[@RationalAUS]

@@jasonmach339 too bad you can't get them in Trumpland. The tech is miles ahead of anything coming outta there. I'm sure all the planned tariffs won't do the local car industry any favours either.

[@banggrod]

I like it. I never liked when all the dual cabs became round and similarly styled to modern on road cars. This boxy design appeals to me and I don't care what others think.

[@roblord7610]

Agree

[@malfan]

I think it looks cool. It's unlike anything I've seen before.

[@roblord7610]

@@malfan Agree

[@garageblitztv3215]

BYD Shark is what Kia should have built … oh well, missed opportunity while BYD is struggling to keep up with orders.

[@fatdoi003]

tasman vs shark 154kw/440nm vs 321kw/650nm..... rear live axle/leaf spring vs double wishbone..... game over

[@mattyoz0]

LOL you have no clue. The shark has no wheel travel and is 2.7 tons. i know which 4wd ute will be the better 4wd ute.

[@big98181]

​@@mattyoz0Nobody that is buying a Tasman is taking it off road anyway.

[@mattyoz0]

@@big98181 bs

[@vitorharalambus6537]

@@big98181needs to be off road, so no-one can see you in it

[@simonmiller5118]

@@big98181 Nobody is buying a Tasman.

[@BennyTheWoo]

In 7 short years I’ve gone from being the first Kia Stinger owner in Qld to being near physically ill at the Tasman. I’ll add that I made a firm EOI for an early Tasman at a local SEQ dealer who’s yet to contact me. Lost the plot Kia. If I told you the cars I’ve bought instead you’d be red faced.

[@muelelwathomoli8263]

Toyota Land cruiser pick-up. Mahindra. KIA is giving you an opportunity to embrace change. The fact is that this is beautiful and good built quality. How many premium vehicles host technology of this caliber? Clear thinking required

[@green_comet83]

Underpowered and hideous, pretty poor attempt from Kia imo.

[@KirkAnderson-l3i]

45deg windshield prone to stone chips I disagree, obviously you live in a city with little experience outside your comfort zone. Raked back front windshields allow more heat and glare into cab which in turn makes cooling the CAB harder. Live in remote areas or WA you would understand what I’m talking about. Upright glass in cabs allow better visibility. Cabs cool down easier, why do you think Land Rover old Land Cruiser’ s cabs were upright. Your reviews are more about gimmicks and fancy interior’s, soft touches than real world practicality of the vehicles and the ability/ short coming of drive trains in the real world.

[@Crankycruiser]

😂 U can barely take a 79 out of the Woolies carpark without the windscreen cracking 😂

[@zoltanrudolf]

A little of little boys and big talk on KZbin.

[@simonmiller5118]

What are you talking about? Pretty much every sedan has much more angled front and rear windscreens and they don't seem to struggle with keeping the interior cool if they have decent aircon. But a more upright front windscreen will definitely add to the fuel consumption and wind noise and will be more prone to stone damage. And as for those headlights, KIA had better get a huge stock of spares.

[@MickH60]

@@simonmiller5118 If you can't work out that an angled screen lets in more sunlight/heat you shouldn't be allowed out in public on your own.....There's some brainless comments on here...

[@MickH60]

@@Crankycruiser Seen the prices of 79 cruisers mate, go back to your bong.....

[@taylaann]

It's the KIA version of the Simpson's Canyonaro

[@daweigo6851]

,😅😅😅😅😅 oh my god it is ha ha

[@inka86]

Homer's car looks about 450% better.

[@simonmiller5118]

That was an SUV.

[@prism8990]

I’m the odd man out again. I don’t mind it. I’m ready to update the mq triton and at the right price this will do me nicely.

[@1545gaming]

I agree mate. Looks don't put me off. It's not angelic but with a bullbar should look pretty mean. 80% of my time will be inside the thing and that IS angelic. If it's got a decent price tag I'm for it. Upgrading from a d40 nav.

[@JimmyJ0512]

If Clark Griswald drove a ute………

[@Beanerds]

I did not like this when I first seen it !!! but watching You and AEJC's reviews I have to say it's kinda growing on me , like those Mahindra's that I am seeing more and more on our roads here in WA Australia . Time will tell , but it's lookin better to the eye .

[@gregjacques3159]

I'm currently looking for V6 Ranger, so that is what I'm comparing it too. That said. Bigger dimensions, Tick Better driver and center screen, Tick Bigger interior, Tick 240v power in cab and tray, Tick Bigger payload, VERY BIG TICK F150 style center console, Tick Extra Wireless Charger, Tick Better access to 4X4 controls with buttons, Tick Better Back seat storage, Tick Better Back seat adjustment, Tick I don't even mind the exterior design, but I wont be buying one because I want to tow a caravan with ease in the hills and they didn't give it a V6 Turbo Diesel.

[@robertryan7204]

It has a Mahindra engine

[@Cap9054]

Yeah the looks are horrendous but the most concerning part is the engine is just piss weak… Some of the 500nm motors struggle to even tow 2.5-3T.

[@charyuna]

Yeh, the figures on paper are at the flywheel not at the rear wheels. From what i heard the lux with 500nm is around 380nm at the rear wheels, similar to the dmax which 450nm on paper. But to tune the lux and ranger to 500 nm at the wheels you need to upgrade the transmission, with the dmax you dont.

[@ianweal3081]

Weird, dmax & Hilux both utilise Aisin 6 speed transmission, same same. How can the Hilux need upgrading & DMax not?

[@charyuna]

​@ianweal3081 not sure but I only got this from watching diesel tuning specialist on youtube

[@trickster8635]

If you intend towing, then don't buy it! For a fleet owner, it will hit the mark.

[@markhunter444]

For it to be polarising it need to have a two or more almost equal camps of yes, no ,or maybe , however almost everyone hates the looks .

[@philipkefford5644]

Who would have thought that Kia could help make a Mahindra look attractive

[@TinLe-lr1dw]

I love deSIGN, but I don't understand why everyone says it's ugly.

[@stockey]

It's different, not ugly, and different is good.

[@melflesser3549]

@@stockey No - It is ugly

[@PeterMooney-mo1ut]

Because it is

[@robertndegwa1218]

That's because it is.

[@hermesliteratus882]

I mean I’ve got to give him credit; he did try everything he could to find some positive things to say about this UTE.

[@TerryHickey-xt4mf]

glass half full person, deserves a medal.

[@seventrumpets6465]

I'm sure kia made a nice contribution towards his Christmas holidays budget.

[@johnkauppi7078]

Well, I'm a farmer and would I buy it? Maybe in the right colour like Beige Sand with steel rims. Comfort and reliability is what matters. We'll soon find out how tough it is.

[@p.whennenwhennen7615]

I have 3 words to say about the Tasman............YUK,YUK,YUK.

[@shauntoomey3299]

Pricing? Is this the only vehicle with the head lights in the wheel flare?

[@RationalAUS]

BYD Shark takes the money. Give it 5 years, the Shark will be the most wanted ute in Australia.

[@trickster8635]

Only for fleet's and around urban. Rural and remote will not be the space for this thing.

[@steveatkins3528]

@@trickster8635I live in a rural area, and am looking very closely at the BYD

[@prism8990]

@@RationalAUS bye have a poor service network and their warranty is not great-it doesn’t express confidence in their product

[@RationalAUS]

​@@prism8990 Batteries are only going to become more affordable over time. Right now, a replacement battery for a BYD Atto 3 costs about 12k AUD, but in five years, it’s projected to drop to around 6k AUD. They also have a 5 year warranty and 8 year battery warranty. That’s pretty economical, especially considering that battery replacement is the major expense for electric vehicles.

[@zoltanrudolf]

I don’t like EVs, I don’t need a Ute and I WANT a BYD Shark!

[@allanduong9633]

Should have put a twin turbo v6 petrol in this and maybe ppl won’t give a shit about how it looks. Instead they put a poxy motor in it.

[@TerryHickey-xt4mf]

that was my thought, as a Wildtrak owner, the fact you have a 6 pot option just makes their salesmen quite excited.

[@MEDAFamilyFilms]

what if someone comes up with a front grill replacement to add extra headlights on the corners of the grill ... to have somewhat like Totota FJ lights to act as a backup to those headlights built into fenders?

[@jamespavier1624]

Things to change, make those guards body colour fit a bigger motor 500NM 165KW and give us the petrol motor choice and new front head lights.

[@Ryan-s5q]

I was gonna say something bad.. but now I just feel sorry

[@aerynlovell4754]

Everyone that hates the square body style of the Kia Tasman obviously hasn't seen a Land Rover ute/truck. In North America the third generation of Chevrolet and GMC C/K pickups are called square body trucks. The square body debuted in 1973, continued until 1987 and are still extremely popular. I prefer a square ute/truck and like the body style but I really hate the technology in the interior. The lights are not in any danger of being damaged because anyone who takes their ute offroad will install a steel bull bar, rock sliders, a steel rear bumper and scrub bars. The scrub bars connect the front/rear bumpers to the rock sliders and protect the body. In the interior I would replace the screen in front of the driver with analog gauges. High tech trucks have proven unreliable because when the software fails the entire truck shuts down. The Ford Ranger has problems when the alternator fails from mud and water crossings. Modern high-tech trucks require constant power to all the electronics, and when the alternator fails, the computer shuts the truck down. The only other improvement I would add to the Tasman is the Kia 3.8L petrol/gas engine that produces 291 hp (217 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque at 5,200 rpm. The three ways to get more power from an engine are displacement, RPM, and boost. The older port injected 3.8L engine wouldn't have the problem of carbon buildup like the newer direct injection engines. A centrifugal supercharger would also give the 3.8L a healthy boost of power for towing. A ute/truck should have an engine that produces enough power to pull a trailer or haul heavy cargo up steep hills without struggling.

[@drummerjmg]

Why they didn't make the exterior similar to the telluride is beyond me. I think the telly looks exceptional 👌

[@dtp777j3sus]

I dont mind the look it actually, itwill grow on people like most kia designs , i think the accessories they provide will be the selling point . If they offer good value for that it might change peoples minds and businesses.

[@rayray-e1p]

I absolutely love the looks of the Kia Tasman

[@XmotoCars]

Kia is a new game changer pickup in 2025, but no grantee.

[@NoName-t7e]

Looks cool. Looks a lot like the Toyota Hilux Champ. Looks like a proper truck.

[@leoalexander7729]

Why is there no Aussie review videos of the new Prado yet? Stock has literally already arrived at dealers and we still have no Aussie videos of it apart from a couple of short ones directly from Toyota 😫😫😫

[@ProductofNZ]

If it had the Telluride front end, it would have helped a lot

[@arthurchu4491]

The truck reminds me of turn A gundam, that says a lot. How this design got approved is beyond most people, me included.

[@doneB830]

I think if it had a bigger powerful engine it might have made it, just like when VW launched the Amarok in Au with a 2.0 engine instead of starting with a powerful V6 was a huge mistake that cost them thousands of sales. This is not because everyone wants a V6 or more but it’s about the image of these cars that they are spoiling.

[@dampworksdampproofing592]

I love it...ugly lump back to the square shapes I've missed...not sure about reliability or off road capability but any new truck is a good thing..

[@ezy.from.now.on.]

It's actually really growing on me. I feel like it's meant to be owned by the army or something, just looks so sick

[@benwelter8890]

I can't help but be in the same camp. Looks killer with a bash bar

[@sunahamanagai9039]

This is how you do a truck. Not that cybercrap.

[@theonkloppers971]

Seriouly Asian automakers: If you are expecting to have the majority of your sales be in Australia, South Africa or South America; do not design a car without first doing a focus group in the markets you plan to sell it. Any Ausie or South African or Argentinian (Rugby playing nations) would have told you to take a hike. What were you thinking? Fire the product manager immediately.

[@Daytona53]

Pretty on the inside.

[@mikeyniverson]

I actually like it a lot. It’s very overland looking. Needs a lift and decent tires. Bring it to the USA

[@randyadams4054]

I like it, all American trucks are the same ol things. Thank god somone is taking a chance.

[@RichardGeresGerbil]

Most guys don't really care what it looks like, especially if it's for off-road or work. Car design in general has been mostly terrible for nearly 40years and it has something to do with bullshit regulations. I do see square bodies making a comeback retro

[@jamesszabadics5911]

i love the exterior design - apart from headlight location

[@andrewmc679]

They will be lucky to sell 10% of its stock

[@scarekro5]

Exterior design is nothing short of a horror show.

[@davidweber4984]

The AU Forte of the utes!

[@harrisonsas2237]

I think it’ll look fine with bullbar and spotlights plus wheels and tyres

[@AlinCoventry]

Its making my eyes hurt, and putting the front lights where they’ll get bashed when off roading is a rooky error in something they claim to be off-road capable

[@pablochacon40]

The steering wheel looks like a early 90s steering wheel on a JDM sport car

[@CHARMINOO]

I think GWM is convincing me more and more...

[@stockey]

Looks better than the cybertruck.

[@whyalwaysme2522]

I like it in black. It looks totally cyberpunk Edit: love the interior.

[@Lechkata]

I love the look. It looks like an automotive whale, exactly what these trucks are! You can see that Kia has a sense of humor and I am sure that there are truck buyers who will appreciate the comedy in this. If I was ever in the market for these, this design would win me over.

[@Mrbuckaroonie..]

I don't care about the looks. Interior looks nice but the size of the engine is the real concern. 500nm should be the minimum these days. How will it go with a van behind it? I reckon it will struggle.

[@NathanNostaw]

Looks like the Sanyoung Musso designers have move to Kia. I hope there is a dealer option of an 8 pack of headlights when purchasing as you will need them. Hope they are a quick swap clip in design. Need a pocket in each door to hold a pair of spare headlights for quick access. How will a bull bar wrap around those lights? Surely every 4x4 vehicle designer has to consider bull bar additions, but maybe not these guys.

[@silentrage1985]

It looks amazing ❤ its just that the alloy wheels and tyres should be of larger in inches - will make a huge difference

[@shekharmoona544]

It looks like a Ineos. What powertrain is it using?

[@petemonster1]

The design of the Tasman is a hit...with the blind!

[@ghostofdre]

The interior looks amazing, the exterior needs some work. I liked the boxy shape and the extra interior room it provides.

[@fredbesari3614]

Is massive and outclass others. Interior looks promising

[@Big_Yin]

Its that Fugly you'd think it's an EV!

[@inka86]

They'll get 10% of LDVs share. No problem 😂

[@frednedgold4636]

my dog going to love dancing on the console buttons giving a full driving experience!guess the console lid will have to be open all the time. think i will that ownership to others to enjoy

[@robertoestebandiaz3610]

Excellent truck, good interior space and quality, good diesel engine, it needs a little more torque, greetings from Córdoba, Argentina

[@bradleygibson1989]

Food for thought, the hilux workmate 4×4 has a 2.4 turbo diesel with 3.5 tonne towing and six speed gearbox. !

[@matthewphair2469]

The Ssangjong has the same motor built in Korea for 20000 dollars less. It has two ute tray lengths and doesn't look like a Mahindra. What were they thinking?

[@SuperHowie001]

Move the head lights put on a tough bull bar . Then maybe.

[@DorkstaR24]

I actually like it. The overall look is a bit different from all others. About the headlights scratching.. yeah, but it's absolutely the same with Ford F150, RAM, Tundra... pretty much everything has lights outside, but a bit bigger. For the windshield, almost every good off-road vehicle has an upright front windshield G-class, Land Cruisers, Defeneders, FJs and so on.. and the reason is it gives you better visibility because you don't have 1 meter of dash Infront of you and than a bonnet. I think it's well though design overall. And yes for some it's ugly, but for me it looks pretty good and it's practical, it has some good ideas in it and if rides as they are trying to.. It's going to be a winner in it's class

[@Plague_Rat778]

Honestly... if the headlights were bigger/more in, and the plastic was replaced with body color... It would look good to me

[@jonantonacci9323]

I would have thought the history of the Ford Australia AU Falcon would be a clear guide. Having said that, some people bought those things too.

[@theyhateme8763]

over sized tires and moving the headlights would be a game changer

[@kennethbale9680]

jawdropping video mate

[@yohahnboogaloo8158]

Do they all come with tow and tie down points

[@Elds2024]

Drive train is ordinary, but Chuck some muddies on it and some bar work and it could look ok. Headlights won’t last ten minutes in the Aussie bush

[@CalvinHikes]

I don't mind the unique looks, but the headlights on the fender is a deal breaker for anybody who leaves the street. That seems like a huge mistake.

[@bluejaymediaperth4188]

Looks like a Tata ute breed with a triton Ute

[@lieutenanttom9733]

Why do they only have the shitty diesel? I'd be down to get one if they had it in petrol.

[@andrewemmett9267]

They need to urgently change that headlight mounting. I get why they tried it to make it look as wide as possible but it’s ridiculous to think that works in the real world for a 4x4. Disappointing when that interior looks amazing for a ute

[@jamesn-guyen8312]

There's absolutely nothing interesting, intrigueing or innovative about it whatsever. It has a pointless party trick..a storage compartment over rear wheel. OMG wow!! Against the Shark which at the very least has a mind blowingly interesting and innovative drive train, the Tasman is DOA.

[@edkincaid9347]

That does not look like the middle size truck they showed here in the states.that looks like the hybrid one not the off road version. Yuck

[@stockey]

The fender flairs shoiuld stick out more, would make it look more agressive.

[@gabrielhuntz4527]

I kinda like how it looks but those fender flairs need to go

[@russellford9016]

Apparently they hired the designers from the AU Falcon and the SSangong Stavic projects, put them all in a room with a couple loaded Bong's and said " do your best!"

[@NathanNostaw]

Haha, yeah i giess those AU designers are still out there

[@vytas5584]

The plastic fenders would make more sense if they intended it to save the vehicle from bush scratches, but they’d have to carry it through the doors as well, and agree the headlights being on the sides exposed them too. That said I don’t hate the vehicle, I think it’s still cool.

[@Moose-wj8sc]

I actually love the design. Yes the headlights could have been placed better but it’s quite handsome and rough appearing

[@EvanHart-d1n]

I very much like it. Please buy one for me!

[@ModernCowboy78]

Why do some manufacturers look at trucks as a novelty?

[@5amsunspor]

2.2 Lt turbo diesel engine is too small for this vehicle. They should have the option of a 3 Lt turbo diesel engine as well.

[@chucknorris8704]

Kia are out of their mind!