2025 Kia Tasman ute spotted with most polarising styling element adjusted
03/26/2025 04:00 PM
The controversial exterior of the 2025 Kia Tasman ute has been given an alternative look – and spotted on the streets of Hobart.
A KiaTasman with a fresh new look has been spotted on the streets of Hobart, Tasmania, ahead of its official arrival in Australian showrooms to take on the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux later this year.
An image of the Tasman posted on social media by the Kia Tasman Club – which has 666 followers – revealed colour-coded wheel arches in place of the dark contrasting versions shown on the Tasman when it was officially unveiled.
The picture also shows the colour-coded flares are the non-standard 'accessory flares' previously expected to be an option on Tasman, also spotted on a heavily disguised test vehicle wrapped in front and rear camouflage.
The standard flares were shown on a mocked-up Tasman in police livery, also in Hobart, complete with chequered graphics and lights.
MORE: 2025 Kia Tasman ute gains police stripes and makes public debut
Kia Australia has been testing the Tasman undisguised on public roads in Australia, suggesting the camouflage could be a sign of a change ahead of the vehicle's on-sale.
Drive understands the dealer-fit flares – with a design also addressing criticism of the 'sausage' shape of the original factory-fit flares – may become standard showroom equipment on the Tasman.
Kia’s Vice President of Next Exterior Design, John Buckingham, told media at the Tasman’s reveal last year it has been styled to make a “bold impression” and bring “something new in the market".
Yet many potential customers have reacted negatively about its styling – the most polarising aspect being the contrasting wheel arches and their unique shape, distinctive from the Tasman's key rivals.
MORE: Kia Tasman design tweaks to start with body-coloured fender flares – First spy photo
The car maker has previously said it is aware of the criticism, but says potential customers have begun to accept the unconventional styling, especially after viewing the Tasman in the metal.
This makes the seemingly minor visual change potentially significant as the Tasman looks to muscle in on the hotly contested dual-cab ute market in Australia, currently led by the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max.
The car maker has bold plans to sell between 20,000 and 25,000 Tasmans annually, around 10 per cent of the ute market in Australia.
Kia has confirmed the Tasman will be powered by a 154kW/441Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel with an eight-speed automatic from launch, offered in both rear-wheel 4×2 and 4×4 all-wheel drive
It will also boast 3500kg braked towing rating offered by the class-leaders including Ranger, HiLux and D-Max.
Full pricing and specifications for the Australian market will be released closer to its local launch in 2025.
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