Overview
IF KIA’S goal in constructing the Tasman was to get tongues wagging, then it has definitely succeeded. If, nevertheless, its goal was to promote loads of utes, then maybe the mission has failed.
Even earlier than the mannequin arrived (a course of that took an inordinate period of time from our perspective) the Tasman was tipped to promote 15,000 items a 12 months. Early figures reveal that determine is more likely to be nearer to 10,000 – effectively wanting stalwart gross sales leaders just like the Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max… and even the decade-old Toyota HiLux.
However neither of these factors mirror the fact of the Tasman’s standing. Make no mistake about it, this can be a cracking good ute. Even whether it is as ugly because the proverbial hat full.
The 24-variant Kia Tasman vary is accessible from $42,990 in two-wheel drive guise and topping-out at $74,990 for the four-wheel drive X-Professional range-topper examined right here.
Powered by a turbocharged 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine producing 154kW/440Nm and paired with an eight-speed automated transmission, the X-Professional variant contains a dual-range, part-time four-wheel drive system with included Auto mode and a locking rear differential.
Gasoline consumption is listed at 8.1 litres per 100km on the ADR mixed cycle whereas the gasoline tank holds 80 litres.
On the all-important four-wheel drive entrance, we discover an method angle of 32.2 levels, a ramp-over angle of 25.8 levels, and a departure angle of 26.2 levels. Floor clearance is listed at 252mm and water fording 800mm (the air consumption sits 950mm from the bottom).
Suspension is unbiased on the entrance with double wishbones and coil springs, whereas the rear is a standard leaf association. Braking is all disc, in contrast to some section rivals that proceed to supply a disc/drum mixture.
Constructed on a ladder-frame chassis, the Tasman vary affords a payload score exceeding 1000kg, a gross automobile mass (GVM) determine of 3250kg, and gross mixture mass (GCM) 6200kg.
Braked towing capability is listed at 3500kg as per most within the section, and all Tasman variants are outfitted as commonplace with an built-in trailer brake controller.
The twin-cab variant on take a look at affords a beneficiant load mattress measuring 1512mm in size, 1572mm in width, and 540mm in top, with Kia quoting a VDA capability of 1173 litres. An extra 45 litres of storage is obtainable underneath the rear seats, which additionally function slide and recline capabilities.
Up entrance, the Tasman X-Professional contains a helpful folding console desk and twin wi-fi smartphone charging pads. They’re joined by twin 12.3-inch instrumentation and infotainment screens, and a separate 5.0-inch display for local weather management capabilities.
Connectivity highlights embrace wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, and Kia Join distant management capabilities. Over-the-air software program updates are additionally a part of the deal.
Tools highlights embrace 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres, floor view monitor (as a part of the 360-degree digicam system), harman/kardon premium audio, gasoline tank safety plate, a heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats (outboard), synthetic leather-based upholstery, full LED ambient cabin lighting, a powered entrance passenger seat, sunroof, and off-road pages with steering route, oil ranges, and extra.
The Kia Tasman is obtainable in eight exterior colors throughout the line-up – Clear White, Metal Gray, Interstellar Gray, Aurora Black, Runway Pink, Cityscape Inexperienced, Tan Beige, and Denim Blue – with the choice of physique colored fender flares including to the full variety of Tasman variants of provide.
The Tasman vary options the protection and driver help applied sciences required to realize a five-star ANCAP score – although many are annoyingly interventionist, forcing deactivation with every ignition cycle.
Kia backs the Tasman with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre manufacturing facility guarantee with included capped-price servicing and as much as eight years of roadside help.
Service intervals are pegged at 12 months/15,000km (whichever comes first) with three-, five-, and seven-year pay as you go service packages out there from $1371, $2834, and $3929 respectively.
Driving Impressions
Some of the widespread remarks we hear from dual-cab patrons surrounds the adequacy of the Tasman’s 2.2-litre engine.
With 154kW/440Nm it affords 3kW/10Nm greater than the revered Toyota LandCruiser 70 Collection’ V8, all of which is channelled to the wheels by way of a much more clever eight-speed transmission.
Merely, it’s a unit that does what’s required of it. The unfold of substances ratios helps to keep the R-Collection ‘4’ in its candy spot, delivering efficiency that’s comparable with Isuzu and Mazda’s new 2.2-litre, the Toyota’s 2.8-litre, and Ford’s 2.0-litre items.
It’s additionally impressively quiet and adheres intently to the producer’s gasoline consumption numbers. Win!
Certain, it’s not a match for the V6 diesel discovered within the Ranger and Amarok, but it surely doesn’t declare to be. If towing at capability is essential, then the Tasman mightn’t be the perfect alternative. However, for many purposes, the two.2-litre engine is greater than adequate.
Driveability is great with clean energy supply throughout the rev vary, minimal step-off lag, and succesful overtaking. Whereas we didn’t tow with the Tasman this time round, we really feel it could deal with two-and-a-half tonnes with out a lot drama – although we’ll reserve our judgement on that for now.
Kia’s regionally tuned suspension program shines brightly within the Tasman. The automobile is planted and impressively supple, sustaining its composure when all shook up. It’s a dual-cab that delivers a much better experience/dealing with compromise than each competitor in its class bar the Ford Ranger – and even then, it’s a really shut name.
The place delicate dampers assist to quell sudden inputs and help in sustaining a degree footing in exhausting cornering. Whereas the Tasman isn’t an SUV, its dynamic qualities aren’t far off, which comes as a pleasing shock to a author with a Toyota HiLux within the storage…
We discovered the steering effectively assisted and appropriately geared, the braking motion clean, and the traction and stability management methods exhausting to fault. Unladen and in moist climate, the Tasman stays planted with little of the rear-end skip usually present in dual-cab utes.
In brief, the Tasman could be very effectively sorted by way of its dynamics.
Couple that with a cabin that gives the amenity and roominess different utes merely can’t match, an distinctive view of the highway forward, and a degree of quietness that impresses whether or not on or off the sealed stuff and it’s fairly simple to see the place our opinion is headed… effectively, virtually.
You see, for all its positives, the Tasman is let down by headlighting that’s fully unacceptable for Australian circumstances. Even on excessive beam, the headlights lack the attain and unfold required to journey safely on the velocity restrict, particularly on roads the place Skippy could possibly be readying a kamikaze sprint at any given second.
We additionally discovered a few high quality niggles contained in the cab, with some trim feeling skinny and flimsy, and others already exhibiting indicators of damage and tear (although that is maybe comprehensible given the beating a earlier highway tester gave this automotive earlier than us).
These factors apart, our view stays beneficial.
Certain, it’s a clumsily styled ute with a face like a busted rissole, but it surely additionally affords loads that others fail to match. On steadiness, we might urge patrons eager to personal a ute that ‘does all of it’ to provide the Tasman a go.
If it’s modified my thoughts, it’d do the identical for you.
