Kia’s Tasman will be a bold new bakkie contender when it arrives in 2025
Say what you want but the Kia Tasman double cab certainly isn’t a wallflower.
When pictures first started to emerge of the Korean manufacturers' attempt to disrupt the bakkie market comments ranged from downright ugly to stunning.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I’m still on the fence, but it does attract attention and I’m sure as with many other first gasp-impression designs it’s likely to grow on us.
Well, except Jaguar’s Type 00. Concept.
We had a closer look at one in the metal that had been brought here from its reveal in Dubai.
The Tasman won't be a global bakkie so at this stage Saudi Arabia, Australia and Africa will be its main focus. We’re likely to get only the double cab in three variants.
Starting with the Base then the X-Line and the range-topping X-Pro.
According to Kia, the Base Tasman will be able to be customised for adventurers and overlanders with various accessories while the higher trims focusses more on lifestyle.
Performance-wise the one on show was fitted with a 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine, but Kia says diesel is king in the local market so it will be fitted with their 2.2-litre CRDi engine with 148kW and 440Nm that also does duty in the Carnival and Sorento.
It will be paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox with rear wheel drive, 4H and 4L as well as a rear difflock.
It will be able to carry a ton on the back and has a 3,500kg braked towing capacity.
As we have come to expect from Kia the interior has a decidedly premium look and feel to it.
There are soft touch surfaces throughout, diamond stitching on the seats, what looks like a top-notch infotainment system and a panel that folds over the centre console to provide a table-like surface.
Rear seating space and comfort is also impressive.
Kia is fully aware of the pitfalls of taking on the South African bakkie market with previous challengers that left with their tails between their legs and have set a modest initial target of between 50-100 units a month.
Personally I think as a trusted brand with a wide dealer network it’s a bit conservative, but at least they’re not overestimating themselves in a very tough market.
Expect the Kia Tasman to reach our shores towards the second half of 2025.
Like the styling, it’s a bold move to take on the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max and the rest and depending at which price-point they bring it in, the bakkie wars have just heated up.