Exact Tasman showed at the world unveiling in Saudi Arabia at the end of October had been availed to Kia South Africa as a preview of what local buyers are in for from the second half of 2025. Images: Charl Bosch
Its highly awaited world debut having taken place at the Jeddah International Motor Show in Saudi Arabia at the end of October, Kia South Africa officially showcased the Tasman bakkie on local soil for the first time at its end-of-year product event at the Glendower Golf Estate in Edenvale on Monday, 2 December.
Penned in for a second half of 2025 market debut—estimated around June or July—the exhibited left-hand-drive model had been the actual variant shown in Saudi Arabia and as such, will likely differ in specification once local sales start next year.
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Debuting after a prolonged development spell, the Tasman will be aimed as more of a lifestyle offering in South Africa than as a workhorse in Australia where principal research and development took place.
As such, the local range is anticipated to be a double cab-only affair comprising three trim levels; base, which Kia says can be customed to suit an array of preferences, X-Line and the depicted X-Pro which features the X-Trek drive mode selector and the all-wheel-drive 4A setting similar to the Ford Ranger and its twin, the Volkswagen Amarok.
Aside from the single cab seemingly not forming part of Kia South Africa’s plans, the Tasman will likely be a mono-engine-only affair despite the petrol engine not being ruled out entirely.
While the displayed model featured the 2.5 T-GDI engine underneath its bonnet as the expected sole engine option for the Middle East, the 207kW/421Nm unit will be eschewed in favour of the 2.2-litre turbodiesel once local sales commence.
Described as “more than enough” by Kia South Africa in an apparent thinly veiled swipe to pre-unveiling speculative reports of the Mohave’s 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 being made available, the 2.2 develops 154kW/441Nm and matched to either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.
For the moment though, it remains unknown as to whether the Tasman’s market placing will see it have the latter as the sole option, or include the former as standard on entry-level derivatives.
Its level of specification only set for reveal next year, the displayed Saudi-market X-Pro did, however, provide a preview of what South African buyers are in for.
Besides the storage hold integrated into the wheel arch cladding on the left-hand side, the X-Pro gets black roof rails and blacked-out alloy wheels, as well as a pair of recovery hooks at the front and two at the rear.
Inside, a dual 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and infotainment system display dominates the interior, along with a retro-styled steering wheel resplendent with physical buttons and toggle switches, and a concave dashboard that largely omits touch-sensitive switches.
Down the centre, the design of the console has seen the gear lever move to the steering column, resulting in a space made up of two wireless smartphone charging pads, a pair of cupholders, the toggle for the all-wheel-drive system and a similar set-up for the X-Trek and Downhill Brake Control system.
As well as the buttons for the Park Assist system, Auto Hold and rear diff-lock, Kia has integrated a plaque below the cupholders that reminds drivers of the Tasman’s ground clearance, height and width in millimetres and inches.
In another first, the centrally placed console lid folds in a double fashion similar to the Ford F-150 to provide a flat working surface.
Based on a new body-on-frame or ladder-frame platform with no relation to the Mohave, the Tasman measures 5 410mm long, 1 930mm wide and 1 920mm tall with its wheelbase stretching 3 270mm.
Utilising a traditional bakkie suspension layout of double wishbones with vertically mounted shock absorbers and leaf springs at the rear, the X-Pro has an indicated ground clearance of 213mm and as with other models, a wading depth of 800 mm and tow rating of 3 500kg.
Also unique to it is the Rock mode activated in low range, with all four-wheel-drive models receiving three added modes in addition to the standard Eco, Comfort and Sport, they being Sand, Snow and Mud.
As alluded to, the X-Pro will ship standard with all-wheel-drive whereas all-paw gripping versions of the base and X-Line will make do with a part-time four-wheel-drive system.
Entering production in April with Kia South Africa’s expected sales estimates of between 50 to 100 units a month, pricing for the Tasman is still being discussed and as such, will only be announced either before or at its official market launch next year.
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