The New Kia Tasman X-Pro Is Impressive, Yet Its Most Significant Drawback Is Obvious | Review | Carscoops

      The Tasman features a top-notch interior, an impressive powertrain, and is a much-anticipated addition to the market.

      **By Brad Anderson**

      **Pros:** ›› Smooth engine, comfortable, reliable for on-road and off-road use

      **Cons:** ›› Unattractive design, underpowered, firm rear suspension

      A decade ago, Kia's lineup consisted largely of uninspired vehicles with dull designs. Fast forward to today, and the brand has transformed itself with cars that capture attention, whether through admiration or bewilderment.

      From the sharply styled Sportage and Sorento to the avant-garde EV9, K4, and EV4, Kia has clearly shifted from being a follower to a trendsetter, often creating vehicles that resemble concept cars rather than production models in contrast to much of its competition.

      In its quest to be bold, Kia has occasionally misstepped, with the Tasman being a prime example. Launched nearly a year ago, it marks Kia's long-awaited entry into the mid-size pickup market, entering a competitive arena dominated by the likes of the Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Toyota Hilux, and Isuzu D-Max.

      **Quick Facts**

      Since the unveiling of the first camouflaged prototypes, the Tasman's design has faced harsh criticism. The production model ended up being just as awkward-looking as the initial sketches suggested.

      However, as we recently experienced while spending time with the Tasman, there’s much to appreciate beyond its controversial exterior.

      **The Truck That Divides Opinions**

      I understand that vehicle styling is subjective, but I haven't encountered anyone who finds the Tasman attractive, nor have I seen many online comments defending its appearance. If Kia aimed to create a pickup that stands out from the crowd, they certainly achieved that.

      In a market where pickups often lack excitement in design, the Tasman undeniably attracts attention. In fact, it garnered more looks than any other truck I’ve driven in its category.

      Personally, I find it quite unattractive, and even recent AI-generated images from a Kia website suggest that even technology can make it appear better. I will say, it does look somewhat improved in person compared to photographs.

      **Under the Skin**

      While Kia's design choices may draw criticism, the company cannot be accused of cutting corners in its development. Instead of using an existing chassis, it built the Tasman on a completely new dedicated ladder-frame chassis.

      In Australia, the Tasman is equipped solely with Hyundai’s renowned 2.2-liter CRDi turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine. This engine is largely similar to that found in the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Carnival, and Kia Sorento, though modified for rear-wheel drive.

      It produces 154 kW (206 hp) at 3,800 rpm and 441 Nm (325 lb-ft) of torque from 1,750 to 2,750 rpm. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with a six-speed manual option expected to be introduced soon.

      As of this writing, the Tasman is available in six configurations, starting with the S 4×2 at AU$46,490 ($30,300), which includes AU$4,880 ($3,200) in on-road costs, and goes up to AU$77,990 ($50,800) for the top-tier X-Pro model, which we tested.

      **Kia Has Nailed The Interior**

      The cabin of the Tasman X-Pro is exceptional and feels far more upscale than competing options from Ford, Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Isuzu. In fact, alongside the BYD Shark 6, it boasts the most refined interior among mid-size pickups, making up for its exterior design flaws.

      The driver's area includes a robust steering wheel, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 5.0-inch climate control display, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Similar to the EV9, the climate display is situated between the two other screens and is mostly obscured by the steering wheel rim, which can be cumbersome.

      Fortunately, Kia seems to have heeded criticisms regarding the removal of physical controls. Therefore, it has included ergonomic switches for temperature and fan speed adjustments on the dashboard. Additionally, touch-sensitive buttons for various infotainment shortcuts and a volume knob enhance convenience.

      Thanks to the electronic column shifter, Kia has maximized space in the center console, which features two wireless smartphone charging pads, two cupholders, and switches for different drive modes and the four-wheel-drive system.

      Other notable features up front include a second glovebox integrated into the dashboard, distinctive knurled-metal door handles, a spacious center console storage area, and plush seating with exceptionally soft headrests. Clearly, competitors could learn a lot from Kia's work on the Tasman’s interior.

      There is ample room for adults in the second row as well. The rear seats can tilt and slide forward, and similar to many mid-size pickups, the rear seat bases