Kia Tasman ute pre-production review
There's an ugly truth that will challenge Kia's strange-looking Tasman.
Cars are fashion statements. Tough looks and the rugged promise of adventure are vital elements of a successful four-wheel-drive pickup.
Kia is a new-to-the-class manufacturer with no proven history off-road. And the Tasman's styling has not been received warmly.
Fittingly, given the bumpy road ahead, the new Kia Tasman ute has incredibly well-sorted suspension.
I've driven just about every ute on sale today.
Having been bounced around by models that work reasonably well on smooth roads but ride like an empty box trailer on broken surfaces, it's clear that there's a little bit of magic under the surface of the Tasman.
It remains composed over rocky territory, finds traction where rivals might slip or suffer, and does a remarkable job isolating you from the world outside. Kia has invested a lot of time and money testing the Tasman and its rivals back-to-back to understand what makes them tick.
The idea is to make the Tasman so great to drive that potential customers can't say no.
We've only driven a pre-production model for about half an hour on a private four-wheel-drive course, so it's too early to say whether the Tasman represents a new benchmark across the board.
But I can say that there are truly impressive elements that set it apart in a crowded market. Which is just as well, because there's not a lot of superficial appeal to the Tasman.
Look at it.
This is a weird-looking truck.
The funny little headlights pushed to the extreme edges of the front end are unconventional at best, the rounded, moustache-like free-floating grille is an odd choice, and plastic cladding over the wheel arches do it no favours when finished in contrasting black plastic.
People called it 'hideous', 'atrocious' and 'the worst ute I've seen'. It's a little better in the metal – but it doesn't look like a car that will sell on style alone.
There's an argument that utes are not meant to be fashionable.
That these are rugged workhorses designed for farms, construction sites, four-wheel-drive adventures and brave missions into the unknown.
Except we all know people with tough-looking utes who never really take them off-road.
Macho pick-ups are in fashion.
Just look at the school pick-up line or shopping centre carpark.
And look again for dents, scrapes and dried mud paying testament to a life of adventure. More than a few of these things never venture beyond tar.
Which is one of the reasons Kia hasn't over-invested in an enormous motor to win bragging rights.
It has the same engine as the Kia Sorento or Carnival, a proven 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that makes an adequate 155kW and 441Nm.
That's enough to reach 100km/h in 10.5 seconds.
This preview drive wasn't perfect
A steep climb exposed an issue in pre-production cars that would slow to a near-stop before shifting down from third to second gear in low-range four-wheel-drive mode.
We could get around that by using paddle shifters to manually select second - but you shouldn't have to.
Kia should be able to sort that with a software update.
It can tow 3.5 tonnes
Other numbers include up to 350kg of down ball weight when towing, 800mm of claimed water wading depth, 252mm of ground clearance and a minimum 1014kg of total payload.
An eight-speed automatic transmission with multi-terrain drive modes benefits from clever electronics including sophisticated traction control and a drive system that matches Ford's Ranger with full-time all-wheel-drive, switchable low-range four-wheel-drive and an electronically locking rear differential in the range-topping Kia Tasman X-Pro priced from $74,990 plus on-road costs.
That's the car we sampled during a brief preview drive.
Though the motor can feel strained at times, especially compared to more powerful rivals, the Tasman's suspension and electronics have a level of polish rarely found in this class of vehicle.
And the interior is a triumph.
Comfortable seats and easily accessed features – there are plenty of buttons, so you don't have to use a touchscreen for everything – work in its favour. Twin 12.3-inch digital displays feel more Audi than Aldi, and there are clever touches everywhere you look.
Like Household PowerPoints in the tray and back seat, or a cool little graphic of the car and its key dimensions moulded into the centre console, or a rear bench that can slide, tilt, and even tumble away to reveal additional storage space. It's a clever car – and the appeal lies far beneath the surface.
Kia Australia chief executive Damien Meredith reckons the Tasman has the potential to take a big bite out of the ute market.
The goal is to sell 20,000 next year.
The targets are people who might have been ready to buy a Ranger, HiLux, Amarok, Navara, Triton, D-Max or BT-50.
'We believe that what we have done from a brand point of view, and a dealer point of view, it's going to be on the shopping list,' he said. 'The product, the brand and the pricing strategy will deliver what we require.'
KIA TASMAN X-PRO
WARRANTY: 7-yr, u'ltd km
THIRST: TBC
SAFETY: TBC
TOWING: 3500kg
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