💰 The Price: Kia is Playing for Keeps

Kia South Africa has finally released pricing for the Tasman, and it’s aggressive. Very aggressive. The range starts at R679,995 for the entry-level 2.2D AT 2WD LX and stretches to R999,995 for the flagship X-Pro 4×4. That’s a massive spread, which means there’s a Tasman for almost every budget, from the construction site to the overlanding club.

Now, compare that to a similarly specced Hilux or Ranger, and you’ll see Kia isn’t messing around. They’ve undercut the established players by a meaningful margin, hoping that price-conscious South Africans will give the new kid on the block a chance. And with a 7-year/200,000 km warranty thrown in, they’re betting big on reliability.

🧠 The Brains: A Diesel That Knows Its Job

Under the bonnet of every single Tasman sold in South Africa is a 2.2-litre CRDi turbodiesel engine. It’s the same unit you’ll find in the Sorento and Carnival, which is good news. It means Kia didn’t start from scratch; they borrowed something they already knew worked.

Power output is a solid 154 kW and 440 Nm of torque, with peak twist arriving at just 1,750 r/min. That’s almost identical to the Ford Ranger Bi-Turbo’s 154 kW, and slightly more than the Hilux 2.8 GD-6’s 150 kW. It’s not going to pin you to your seat, but it’s more than enough to get a heavily laden trailer moving.

Kia claims a 0-100 km/h time of 10.4 seconds for the 4×4 version. That’s not sports car territory, but then again, neither is a bakkie. What matters is how it feels in the real world, and early reviews suggest it’s smooth, quiet, and doesn’t run out of breath when the road points upwards.

Fuel consumption is rated at around 8.1 L/100km for the combined cycle, which is respectable for a two-tonne brick with a ladder frame chassis.

🛞 The Drive: Built for Rough, Tuned for Smooth

The Tasman is built on a proper ladder-frame chassis with double wishbone front suspension and a rigid rear axle with leaf springs. That’s the good stuff. It means it can handle the abuse. It can carry a tonne in the back (1,000 kg payload) and pull a braked trailer weighing up to 3,500 kg. For the 4×4 models, there’s a low-range transfer case and, on the flagship X-Pro, an electronically controlled rear diff lock.

On the road, the Tasman is surprisingly car-like. Kia has done a fantastic job with the sound deadening and suspension tuning. It doesn’t crash and bang over potholes like some of its rivals. It feels composed, even a little plush. Off-road, the X-TREK mode is a clever bit of kit, allowing for low-speed crawling without you having to dance on the pedals.

However, there’s a catch. The Tasman’s massive size and tall stance mean it’s a bit of a handful in tight parking lots. The turning circle isn’t great, and you’ll be grateful for the 360-degree camera on the higher trims.

👀 The Face: Controversy in Metal

The Tasman’s design is… unique. Kia went for a “tiger-face” grille framed by vertical lights, and the internet has been brutal, nicknaming it “Sid from Ice Age” and “Quasimodo”.

Honestly? It’s not that bad in the metal. The boxy proportions, the squared-off wheel arches, and the chunky bumpers give it a purposeful, almost military look. It’s certainly more interesting than a white Hilux. And in a market where every bakkie looks the same, the Tasman stands out. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing is up to you. Personally, I think it’s the kind of face that grows on you. Like a bulldog. Ugly, but charming.

🏠 The Cabin: A Palace in a Bakkie

This is where the Tasman truly shines. The interior is, without exaggeration, the best in its class. The dual 12.3-inch screens (digital cluster and infotainment) are crisp, clear, and packed with features. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and the Harman Kardon sound system is genuinely impressive.

The materials feel premium, especially in the X-Pro trim, which gets quilted leather seats, ventilated front seats, and heating for both rows. There’s a foldable centre console table, side storage bins, and enough USB ports to charge a small army. It’s a genuinely nice place to spend time, whether you’re commuting to Sandton or driving to the Kalahari.

The rear seats are spacious too. Even with a tall driver up front, there’s ample legroom. The Tasman is one of the few bakkies where rear passengers aren’t treated like second-class citizens.

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If you’re shopping for a new bakkie, also check out our Peugeot Landtrek review and our Chery KP31 analysis. For a classic alternative, see our Toyota Cressida heritage story.

For official Kia South Africa news, visit Kia South Africa.