The most Australian Kia ever! Why all-new 2025 Kia Tasman diesel dual-cab ute has been developed in Australia for the world - just like the Ford Ranger!

Kia says its upcoming diesel dual-cab ute will be the most Australian vehicle it has ever produced, declaring that the amount of localisation work going into the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger rival makes it "not even in the same sport" as its other models.

That's a big promise, especially given every Kia model goes through significant ride and handling tuning in Australia. But that pales in comparison to the amount of work going into the ute, expected to be called the Tasman following trademark filings.

Asked whether the new ute would be the most Australian Kia ever, the brand's General Manager of Product Planning, Roland Rivero replied: "Definitely."

"It's a different sport," Mr Rivero says. "But with that involvement comes a lot of responsibility."

Part of that responsibility stems from volume promises made to Kia HQ, with reports that Kia Australia is expecting in the vicinity of 20,000 sales per year. But it also includes expectations from other ute-heavy markets to deliver a global dual-cab product that outshines the competition.

"We've had feedback certainly from South Africa, who have been in contact with myself personally and our marketing team in regards to that," says Kia Australia CEO Damien Meredith.

"It's an important car. An important car for South Africa. Important car for the Middle East."

The new ute will arrive in the middle of next year, sporting a turbo-diesel engine, two- and four-wheel drive and the hopes of Kia Australia on its shoulders.

CarsGuide understands Kia has funded several top-secret missions to our market to study its competitors, its customers and Australia's unique conditions, with development stretching way back to 2020.

Our sources have already confirmed that the new ute – which will land in Australia in 2025 – has been benchmarked against the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger (the two best-selling utes in the county), and so expect class-matching towing capacity and payload.

But we also expect Kia to take it further than the spec sheet, with the Ford Ranger's car-like comfort and practicality innovations also sure to be high on its hit list. Off-road capability, and lifestyle uses – like long-distance towing – are also be under study.

The Kia ute is on track for a mid-2025 launch in Australia.