TASMAN TARGETS RANGER

Kia's Tasman ute has landed in Australia's busy midsize ute market.

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Kia's all-new Tasman X-Pro enters Australia's toughest market with modern tech, sharp dynamics and off-road smarts. But how does it really measure up against the hugely popular Ford Ranger Wildtrak?

While new 4x4s seem to arrive every other week from brands few have heard of, the Tasman comes from Kia - one of Korea's most respected automakers and already a popular brand with Aussie new car buyers. The company clearly hopes the Tasman will strengthen its appeal with ute-loving locals.

This existing fan base gives Kia a leg-up on other newcomers, many of which are starting from scratch in a fiercely competitive ute market. The Tasman, by contrast, arrives with the backing of an established brand and is positioned to take on some of the best-known 4x4 ute nameplates.

While the Tasman is unlikely to trouble the Ford Ranger or Toyota HiLux at the top of the sales charts just yet, it makes sense to line it up against the current bestseller and perennial favourite - Ford's Ranger.

The undeniable standout in the Tasman lineup is the flagship X-Pro, the most 4x4-capable variant in the range. That extra ability comes at a price, with the X-Pro listed at $74,990 plus on-road costs.

That's V6 Ranger Wildtrak money, but for a closer match we've lined up four-cylinder against four-cylinder. In this case, it's the top-spec bi-turbo Ranger 2.0L Wildtrak, priced at $69,890 plus on-road costs.

For context, a Toyota HiLux Rogue lists at $63,260 plus on-road costs, while the HiLux GR Sport can also be had for less than the Tasman X-Pro.

WHAT YOU GET

As the flagship of the Tasman range, the X-Pro comes loaded with all the fruit.

EXTERIOR & PRACTICAL

• 17-inch alloy wheels with A/T tyres

• Roof rails

• Privacy glass