Does the 2025 Kia Tasman ute look any good?
Kia has finally revealed its 2025 Tasman ute and the reception – at least around the Drive office – has been a resounding ‘meh’.
When pictures of the Tasman first started surfacing, the rhetoric was ‘surely it can’t look like this?’ – with the biggest bugbear being the tacked-on and very-aftermarket-looking fender flares.
But with the Tasman now official, and with the blocky fender flares intact, it’s left most of us asking ‘why though?’.
And it looks like Kia Australia is aware of what might be the Tasman’s most glaring shortcoming, as it has stated there will be plans and options to disguise those obvious fender flares.
Even in local media imagery, Kia Australia has been careful to select a black-coloured model to better hide the plastic mouldings, versus international pictures that show the contrast between the body colour and wheel arches.
Another point of contention is the Tasman’s headlights, which are positioned in the front fender flares and set very wide apart.
Some say it is reminiscent of Sid, the wide-eyed sloth from the Ice Age series of children’s films, while the blocky and buff front end calls to mind the Jeep Gladiator.
However, not everyone shares the same sentiment.
Have your say: Does the Kia Tasman ute look good?
Few in the Drive office have praised the Tasman's design for being bold, daring and different – looking very distinct from the sea of Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max fleets already on the road.
And it is tough and rugged in a way that dual-cab utes need to be to appeal to tradies and adventure-seekers alike.
Regardless of where you stand on the Tasman’s styling, there’s no denying it is a capable workhorse.
Powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, the 2025 Tasman produces 154kW/441Nm that is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
With a segment-rivalling 3500kg braked towing capacity, as well as a standout up to 1195kg payload, the Tasman will certainly handle the worksite or campsite equally well.
One thing is certain: The 2025 Kia Tasman will turn heads – for better and for worse – when it touches down in Australian showrooms in mid-2025.
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
Read more about Tung Nguyen
