It got well and truly dusty during the launch of the new Kia Tasman. Sand, gravel and lots of it as our convoy made its way from Cape Town into the Cederberg and back again. Here’s what happened…
Where does the Kia Tasman fit in?
More like, how was the Kia Tasman conceived? I’d like to think it went a bit like this. Kia’s big boss said to their top designer, “I’d like it styled out of Lego!” And upon the designer’s return with a large container brimming with colourful blocks, the boss shrieked, “No! Just one block. Yes, like that. Perfect.”
The Tasman is an odd-looking truck, I’ll concede. It is almost its only bone of contention among bakkie enthusiasts. There’s an understanding that Kia has a viable alternative to the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger here … if you can look beyond the styling.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder…
Those who are able to do so, are in for a treat. Those who can’t? Well, I have a short anecdote that might help. Many years ago, at the unveiling of the Jaguar F-Type, a group of opinionated journos (myself included) commented on how we saw bits of Ferrari California in its DNA; Mazda MX-5 even. At this point, Ian Callum, the master stylist who crafted the famous Jag, squeezed in between us and explained how he’d taken no offence, and that it is natural for the human eye to seek out common shapes and elements. It’s how we understand things. Categorise them.
The Tasman has very few common shapes. And so it stands out among the classic double-cab fraternity. The Ranger shares a familiar profile to the Hilux, the Isuzu D-Max and challengers from China such as the GWM P-Series and Changan Hunter. The Tasman? Think Mars Rover.
Compare their specs: Ford Ranger vs Kia Tasman vs Toyota Hilux
The magic lies inside
Now that we can finally move on from the divisive exterior, we can hop aboard the cabin. I’m not going to bury the lead here: the Tasman has my favourite bakkie cabin of them all. It’s spacious, well-appointed and tactile. There are knurled rollers, soft-touch surfaces plus a wraparound digital display that starts with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, extends via a 5-inch AC display then seamlessly meets the 12.3-inch digital cluster ahead of the driver in this, the X-Pro flagship model.
By virtue of being the R1 million top-of-the-range 4×4, the X-Pro also benefits from a Harman Kardon sound system and mood lighting. The hide-covered pews are grippy, comfy and stylish, with a steering wheel to match.
Modern conveniences abound here, as does advanced driving assistance systems and driving modes. These extend beyond the typical 4×4 settings (such as 4A, 4H, 4L) but also include a suite of terrain modes from road to sand and rock crawling via Kia’s X-Trek mode, helped along by an electronic differential.
Bakkie only in name…
We got to test the full complement of settings as well as the acceleration, road-holding and suspension on our route from the CBD to the Stadsaal Caves. First the N1 highway, then the twisting mountain passes north of Ceres before a foray onto the longest gravel road in South Africa, the R355. The Tasman delivered.
First, there’s the beating heart: a 2.2-litre turbodiesel from the Sorento and Carnival, here warmed up to 154 kW and 441 Nm and transferred to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic ‘box.
On the tarmac, the Tasman felt softly sprung but firm enough for confident cornering, as confirmed on the many canyon roads on our 500 km round trip. Acceleration felt linear, but by no means the ‘point’ of the Tasman. It isn’t trying to be a quick double-cab. In fact, data will reveal it is perfectly on par with its rivals.
The Tasman’s engine is just right
Once the ground turns from grey to clay, however, the Tasman really entertains. It is incredibly enjoyable to drive quickly on dirt; tractable, and with a playful demeanour. The engine is ‘Goldilocks good’ – not too much, not too little, just right, with a helm that favours granularity and feedback. Chuck it in, feed it out, let the electronics pitch in when needed. And you sense there’s a ton of Silicon Valley’s finest at play here – without robbing you of any driver involvement.
The antics continued as we entered our next playground, the Dunes 4×4 trails in Lamberts Bay, where we really got to wind up the motor and spray tall rooster-tails of sand into the air. What followed was an hour or so of surfing white hills under cobalt blue skies, then clambering across acreage of rock gardens.
X-Trek equals extra fun
Solid fun, with the X-Trek mode functioning like a smart adaptive cruise control, using all its sensors and systems to navigate treacherous terrain. Personally, I prefer using my own software (points at head) for maximum enjoyment, but the trick is pretty neat – and a rare feature in this segment, usually reserved for full-sized off-roaders (at twice the price).
How much does the new Kia Tasman cost in South Africa?
The new Kia Tasman is sold with a 6-year/90 000 km service plan as well as a 5-year/unlimited km warranty.
| Kia Tasman 2.2D AT 4×2 LX | R679 995 |
| Kia Tasman 2.2D AT 4WD SX | R879 995 |
| Kia Tasman 2.2D AT 4WD X-Pro | R999 995 |
Summary
Overall, the Tasman intrigues me. It is an excellent product that Kia needs to do well. It is competing in a hotly contested segment that is already facing new challengers from the East. Double-cabs are part of the Mzansi DNA and a great halo product to have in your portfolio. That this one comes with a tried-and-tested drivetrain from a marque with equity in our country is another boon. Only the market will determine its fate now.
