Kia has entered one of South Africa’s most competitive automotive arenas with the arrival of the Tasman, its first double cab bakkie.
Known for passenger cars and SUVs, the brand now takes on established rivals with a purpose-built model engineered specifically for local demands.
The Tasman is built on a robust ladder-frame chassis, designed to handle heavy-duty work as well as off-road adventures. Its dimensions place it firmly in the upper tier of the segment, while ground clearance, wading depth and approach angles provide genuine off-road capability.
Inside, Kia has raised the bar with a cabin that blends durability and comfort. A fully integrated digital display setup mirrors the brand’s latest passenger vehicles, while advanced driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and autonomous emergency braking add modern safety credentials.
The range caters to both work and lifestyle buyers, from the entry-level LX 4x2 to the SX 4x4 and the flagship X-Pro 4x4. Each version offers a balance of capability and styling, with colour-coded options adding refinement.
Power comes from Kia’s 2.2-litre SmartStream turbodiesel engine, producing 154kW and 440Nm of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission. The combination of ladder-frame construction, double wishbone front suspension and a rigid rear axle with leaf springs ensures durability and load-carrying strength without sacrificing comfort.
Prices start at R679 995 for the LX, R789 995 for the SX, and R999 995 for the X-Pro, positioning the Tasman as a serious contender in a fiercely contested market.
