The worst kept secret? 2025 Kia Tasman Aussie-themed nameplate finally confirmed for Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton rival!

This morning, Kia officially confirmed the Tasman name for its ute which will launch in 2025.

One of the worst-kept secrets in the automotive industry (especially after last month’s TVC), Kia’s ute has had an awfully long gestation period. Not good for keen customers but an indicator that, when it comes to market next year, Kia’s Tasman will have been subjected to an extensive development process.

Tasman is a reference to Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who was the first Western explorer to sail around Tasmania’s coastline in 1642 on his first major voyage with the Council of the Indies.

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“The team at Kia Australia has been working closely with the Research and Development team at headquarters to develop Tasman, a vehicle we believe will meet the needs of our unique market, so it’s very rewarding that it has been granted an Australian-inspired name befitting its personality”, said Kia Australia’s Chief Executive Officer Damien Meredith.

A reveal of the Tasman concept is expected this month, though you can see the renders commissioned by CarsGuide based on sightings of Kia’s Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Triton rival during its development.

This morning, Kia officially confirmed the Tasman name for its ute which will launch in 2025.

“We have strong ambitions for Tasman in our market, and the fact that its name has such distinct links to our region is evidence of Kia Australia’s instrumental role in its development and future success”, added Meredith justifying the Australian-themed Tasman name that was picked from a panel of possibilities. 

So far we’ve only seen detailed images of the Tasman badge, which – although familiar – debuts a new front design for Kia. It looks as though the badge will be located centrally below the debossed Kia logo on the tailgate.

Our best guess at what the new Kia Tasman will look like. (Render image: Thanos Pappas)

Australia will be a key market for Kia’s ladder-frame ute which is earmarked to launch with a version of the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine. 

With the popularity of utes (likely continue even in a post-NVES world), the Tasman has the potential to propel Kia into third – or even second – position in Australian sales figures in the coming years.

One of the worst-kept secrets in the automotive industry (especially after last month’s TVC), Kia’s ute has had an awfully long gestation period.

A more powerful option is mooted, though whether it will take form as a diesel- or petrol-electric hybrid or diesel V6 is yet to be confirmed. Come 2025 we’ll have everything we need to know about the Kia Tasman.