The Kia Tasman has officially launched in South Africa, with Kia South Africa announcing pricing and specs for the brand’s first-ever bakkie. See pricing below…
Image: Peet Mocke
As we highlighted in Every Bakkie Confirmed for SA in 2026, the Tasman was set to land this year. Now, the South Korean automaker’s first-ever bakkie has officially arrived in South Africa.
Locally, the Tasman is exclusively available with a specially tuned version of Hyundai-Kia’s 2.2-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine. The Smartstream unit produces 154 kW and 440 N.m of torque, and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Two drivetrains are on offer: 4×2 and 4×4.
Underpinned by a ladder-frame chassis, the Tasman measures 5 410 mm in length, making it 60 mm longer than the Ford Ranger and 85 mm longer than the outgoing eighth-generation Toyota Hilux. At 1 930 mm wide, it’s 85 mm narrower than the Ranger, but 30 mm wider than the Hilux. The wheelbase spans 3 270 mm, on par with the Ranger and 185 mm longer than the upcoming new Hilux.
Kia Tasman price in SA
Locally, the Tasman is available in three trims: LX, SX, and X-Pro – priced from R679 995, R879 995, and R999 995, respectively.
– Kia Tasman 2.2CRDi 4×2 LX AT — R679 995
– Kia Tasman 2.2CRDi 4×4 SX AT — R879 995
– Kia Tasman 2.2CRDi 4×4 X-Pro AT — R999 995
The Tasman’s load bed, accessed via rear bumper-integrated side steps, is 1 512 mm long, 1 572 mm wide (1 186 mm between the wheel arches), and 540 mm deep. Kia claims these measurements allow for a cargo capacity of up to 1 336 litres. The Tasman offers a maximum payload of up to 1 013 kg and a braked towing capacity of 3 500 kg. The water-fording depth is rated at 800 mm.
