'Redefines ute sector': 2025 Kia Tasman here at last with diesel engine, power, towing, payload and capability details confirmed to tackle the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max

The 2025 Kia Tasman has been unveiled at last, with the Korean brand promising its first-ever ute “redefines the pickup sector” currently dominated by the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger in Australia.

The Tasman’s payload, towing capacity, engine specifics and even a basic trim level lineup are now locked in, and while the ute ticks all of the expected boxes, the brand says the Tasman is designed to appeal equally to lifestyle owners who might never need to tow or carry anything.

“Kia’s first-ever pickup truck was created from the ground up to transform the market and respond to the growing preference for lifestyle-oriented trucks with advanced features,” said Kia's President and CEO, Ho Sung Song.

“The Kia Tasman is a progressive pickup truck that follows its own path, not the competition. The Kia Tasman combines true pickup values with exceptional capability and practicality, and advanced features that defy conventional thinking.”

It was revealed at the Jeddah International Motor Show, and simultaneously unveiled here in Australia, in – you guessed it – Tasmania.

But more on all that in a moment, for now let’s dig into the detail.

2025 Kia Tasman

2025 Kia Tasman engine, towing, payload, power, torque and zero to 100km/h time

As predicted, the Tasman arrives packing the brand’s existing turbo-diesel engine – the same used in the Carnival, amongst others.

That means a 2.2-litre diesel that produces 154kW and 441Nm paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with power sent to two or all four wheels. That’s enough to push the Tasman to 100km/h in a leisurely 10.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 185km/h.

2025 Kia Tasman

Now it must be said that, in a market segment dominated by bragging rights, those numbers aren’t going to win too many BBQ battles. Only the entry-level single-turbo-diesel in the Ford Ranger produces less torque. If you opt for the Ranger's bi-turbo-diesel option, you're looking at 154kW and 500Nm.

The Toyota HiLux draws 150kW and 500Nm from its 2.8-litre diesel, while the Isuzu D-Max delivers 140kW and 450Nm from its 3.0-litre diesel.

2025 Kia Tasman

Kia said the torque outputs are just numbers on a page, and what really matters is how the Tasman performs on and off the road.

To that end, Kia has locked in a 3500kg braked towing capacity, and payloads that climb from 1017kg to 1195kg.

2025 Kia Tasman

The Tasman’s tray is 1512mm long, 1572mm wide, or 1186mm between the wheels, and 540mm deep. That, said Kia, gives you cargo capacity of 1173 litres, and there’s a power outlet and sliding cargo floor as standard, and a whole heap of accessories to help you maximise that space.

In short, the brand had promised a one-tonne ute that can tow, and it’s delivered on those promises.

2025 Kia Tasman 4WD and off-road capability

Kia said the Tasman underwent some "1777 specific tests conducted over more than 18,000 rounds of evaluation", covering everything from tarmac and towing to off-road and water wading, and it is promising a capable truck in Australia.

There's some clever engineering tricks at play here, too. For example, the air intake is positioned inside the fender, which Kia said unlocks an 800mm wading depth at speeds of up to 7km/h.

2025 Kia Tasman

Tasman X-Line and X-Pro trim levels (there's also a Base trim that is 2WD as standard) get AWD standard, and come with preconfigured terrain modes as well as a automatic system which detects grip on the fly.

The flagship off-road model is the X-Pro, and it adds a dedicated Rock mode, fine-tuning the traction system for mountainous terrain, joining the Sand, Mud and Snow modes.

2025 Kia Tasman

The X-Pro also gets an electronic locking differential in the rear diff, and something called X-Trek mode, which works kind of like Hill Descent Control in that it modulates your speed when off-road, so you don't need to brake or accelerate when navigating a tricky section.

2025 Kia Tasman: Cabin technology

It's here that the Tasman shines the brightest among its competition, with a car-like and tech-filled cabin that feels more like an upper-spec Sorento than it does a workhorse.

That starts with the three-screen tech layout, combining a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a 12-3-inch driver information screen, with a 5.0-inch climate control screen in the middle.

There's Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, of course, along with an optional Harmon Kardon stereo. The interior materials look lovely, and there's an environmental bent – think bio-plastics, synthetic leather and carpets made from recycled plastic.

Elsewhere, Kia said it has focused on practicality, so expect two wireless charge pads, a table, and 33-litres of in-cabin storage.

2025 Kia Tasman: Dimensions

The Tasman measures 5410mm in length, 1930mm in width and 1890mm in height, and it rides on a 3270mm wheelbase. Its rides on 17- or 18-inch wheels that serve up between 231mm and 254mm in ground clearance.

2025 Kia Tasman

2025 Kia Tasman: Launch timing and pricing

The Kia Tasman will launch in Australia around June, 2025. In terms of pricing, it's guess work at the moment, but we'd be shocked if the Tasman didn't attempt to undercut the equivalent Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger – even if only by a little bit – to grab market share.