Kia Tasman price shock: New diesel dual-cab ute could be a bargain buy against Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux

Any Aussie drivers looking looking to buy a new dual-cab ute this year may pin the 2025 Kia Tasman to the top of their wish list after seeing the price of the range in its native Korean market.

On its home soil, four models of the Tasman are on offer: starting with the entry-level 4x2 Dynamic ute at 37.5 million won ($41,033) and climbing to the top-of-the-range X-PRO at 52.4 million won ($57,336).

Between the Dynamic and X-PRO is the Adventure model, priced at 41.1 million won ($44,971) and the Extreme, priced at 44.9 million won ($49,129)

When converted to Australian dollars — not adding shipping costs, market-specific equipment changes — the prices make the 2025 Kia Tasman a serious competitor cutting the grass of popular equivalent models like the Toyota HiLux or Ford Ranger.

In Australia, an entry-level Ford Ranger XLS 4x4 sets drivers back at least about $58,000 minimum, and a top of the range Platinum model could easily cost more than $80,000. Meanwhile, the equivalent base-model Toyota Hilux — the SR5 — could cost at least $65,000, the top of the range GR-Sport model could cost upwards of $81,000.

It is important to note that there will only be three models of the Kia Tasman offered in Australia when it lands — a rear-wheel drive entry-level model and two 4WD variants, the X-Line and X-PRO.

And as tempting as it may be for shoppers to speed away of themselves thinking they could buy the top-line Tasman X-PRO for less than the cost of an entry-level Ranger or HiLux, car experts have warned the Ausrtalian price tags are unlikely to be as tempting as the currency conversions may suggest.

According to carsales.com.au, the Kia Tasman will be “priced competitively to help maximise its appeal, but shipping homologation and development costs need to be factored in” to the final sale price in Australia.

For example, the KIA Sorento GT line (the Signature Gravity in Korea) converts directly to about $52,000 in its domestic market. In Australia, the similar model costs about $69,000. That’s a $17,000 difference between price tags.

Experts estimate prices to vary, from Korean prices to Australian dealerships, by between $15,000 and $20,000. This would put the X-PRO model closer to $75,000, about the same as the top-line Toyota GR Sport, but less than a Ranger Platinum.

Another difference between the Korean and Australian Tasman utes is their fuel — the former offers Tasmans exclusively with a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, but Tasmans Down Under will be 2.2-litre diesel engines.

Kia in Australia is yet to confirm local pricing for the Tasman, but the ute is expected to land in local dealerships around June this year.