2025 Kia Tasman hits the ground running with five-star ANCAP safety rating

The Kia Tasman has secured a five-star ANCAP safety rating following full assessment under the current, more stringent criteria. It’s a strong start for the Korean brand’s dual-cab debut, with consistent performance across all key safety categories.

The top rating applies to S, SX and SX+ (as tested) 4×4 variants but excludes the X-Line and X-Pro grades, which haven’t yet been tested. The Tasman was put through ANCAP’s full range of crash and active safety tests, scoring well in Adult Occupant Protection (85 per cent), Child Occupant Protection (85 per cent), Vulnerable Road User Protection (74 per cent), and Safety Assist (80 per cent).

In crash testing, the Tasman showed strong results. The frontal offset crash test returned low injury risk for both adult and child dummies. Importantly, the ute also rated well for crash compatibility – an assessment of how much damage a vehicle might cause to others in a collision.

One area of concern was noted in the full-width frontal crash, where the driver dummy’s pelvis slipped under the lap belt – known as submarining. This resulted in a penalty, but didn’t prevent the overall five-star score.

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All five-star variants come equipped with a full set of airbags – including dual front, side chest, curtain, and a centre airbag between the front seats – along with a comprehensive active safety package. Standard features include autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with car, pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and intelligent speed assist.

One limitation raised by the ANCAP test is that owners are advised to not install child seats in the second-row centre position, as there’s no top tether anchorage point.

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“Fleet buyers and potential Tasman customers across the country have been eagerly awaiting the Tasman’s safety rating, and this five-star result will be welcome news,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg.

“With such strong market presence and consumer demand, it’s pleasing to see manufacturers continuing to prioritise safety in this segment. 

“The dual-cab shopping list is already healthy, and we expect to see it grow further with other new contenders entering the market in the coming months,” added Ms Hoorweg.

Drive-away pricing for the Tasman 4×4 starts at $53,890 for the entry-level S; $58,490 for the SX, $66,490 for the SX+, $70,990 for the X-Line, and $77,990 for the flagship X-Pro. The 4×2 S trim is available for $46,490.

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All 4×4 variants are powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel (154kW/440Nm) matched with an eight-speed auto and part-time 4WD with multiple terrain modes. Even the base model is well-equipped, while higher trims progressively add off-road hardware, tech and comfort features – culminating in the X-Pro, which gets off-road tyres, a locking rear diff, surround-view cameras, and a Harman Kardon stereo.

The upper-spec X-Line and X-Pro variants remain unrated by ANCAP for now.