Kia Tasman Towing Test: Can Australia’s New Ute Handle the Big Jobs?

The Kia Tasman entered Australia’s ute market with plenty to prove. As Kia’s first serious attempt at taking on established names in the dual-cab segment, towing capability is one area where Australian buyers are unlikely to accept compromises.

On paper, the Tasman has the numbers expected of a modern one-tonne ute. Kia rates the dual-cab pick-up for up to 3,500kg of braked towing, backed by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel producing 154kW and 440Nm and an eight-speed automatic transmission.  

But towing capacity on a specification sheet only tells part of the story.

Payload, passengers, accessories, towball download and Gross Combined Mass (GCM) can all change what a ute can realistically carry and tow at the same time. That’s particularly important for buyers planning to use the Tasman for work during the week and caravanning, boating or touring on weekends.

If you’re already comparing the Tasman with other utes, Fingo can help you explore the costs behind your next car before you decide which vehicle suits your needs.

How Much Can the Kia Tasman Tow?

The Kia Tasman dual-cab pick-up has a maximum braked towing capacity of 3,500kg, putting it directly alongside many established Australian utes.

It also has a 350kg maximum towball download, a 3,250kg GVM and a 6,200kg GCM.  

Here’s the basic picture:

Payload varies depending on the variant. Kia’s MY26 specifications list maximum payloads ranging from 1,013kg for the X-Pro to 1,124kg for the S 4×2 dual-cab pick-up. Kia Australia

Those figures are important because a 3,500kg maximum tow rating doesn’t mean you can automatically load the vehicle to its maximum payload and tow 3,500kg at the same time.

Thinking About Making the Tasman Your Next Ute?

If the Kia Tasman is on your shortlist, compare the vehicle itself as well as how you plan to pay for it.

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Why the 3,500kg Towing Figure Isn’t the Whole Story

This is where ute towing becomes more complicated.

A maximum towing figure is useful for comparing vehicles, but your actual setup can include:

• the driver and passengers
• luggage
• tools and work equipment
• a canopy or tonneau cover
• bull bar and other accessories
• camping equipment
• cargo in the tub
• trailer towball download

All of those add weight somewhere in the combination.

The Tasman’s 6,200kg GCM represents the permitted combined mass of the loaded vehicle and loaded trailer. As more weight is added to the Tasman, the amount available elsewhere in the overall combination can become more important.

Kia itself provides a Tasman payload and towing calculator that accounts for the selected variant, trailer, accessories, passengers and cargo. That reinforces a useful point for buyers: real towing capability depends on the complete setup, not just the headline 3,500kg figure. 

If you’re comparing vehicle costs at the same time, the same principle applies financially. The advertised price or repayment isn’t always the complete ownership picture. Fingo’s guide to running costs in a novated lease explains some of the costs that can sit beyond the vehicle itself.

Does the Kia Tasman Have Enough Power for Towing?

The Tasman’s 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel produces 154kW and 440Nm and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

Those figures are competitive enough for normal ute duties, but they’re worth considering in context.

Someone towing a moderate boat, box trailer or camper occasionally has very different requirements from someone travelling thousands of kilometres with a large caravan.

The maximum towing rating tells you what the vehicle is engineered and approved to tow within its specified limits. It doesn’t tell you that every trailer weight will feel equally effortless.

As trailer mass increases, acceleration, overtaking, hill climbing, braking and fuel consumption can all become more demanding.

For buyers expecting to tow frequently, it’s therefore worth looking beyond peak torque alone. Think about:

• how heavy your trailer will actually be when loaded
• how frequently you’ll tow it
• whether your trips involve steep terrain
• how much cargo you’ll carry in the Tasman
• whether you’ll regularly travel long distances

A ute that’s perfect for occasional weekend towing may not necessarily be the first choice for someone towing close to maximum capacity every week.

What Towing Technology Does the Kia Tasman Get?

Kia hasn’t treated towing as an afterthought.

One of the Kia Tasman’s most useful factory features is its integrated trailer brake controller. When the Tasman brakes, the system can apply the trailer brakes as well, while controls allow the driver to adjust braking force. 

The Tasman also offers a dedicated Tow drive mode across relevant configurations, alongside its other drive and terrain settings. 

That matters because towing isn’t simply an engine-power exercise.

Controlling the trailer, maintaining stability and managing braking are equally important when you’re travelling with substantial additional weight behind the vehicle.

Kia also offers genuine towbar equipment rated for 3,500kg braked towing and 350kg downball weight, although the vehicle and trailer must still remain within all applicable weight limits.  

What About Payload?

Payload is one of the most important figures for ute buyers, particularly those using the same vehicle for both work and towing.

The Tasman dual-cab range offers roughly one tonne of payload depending on the grade. Kia’s specifications list:

• S 4×2: 1,124kg
• S 4×4: 1,025kg
• SX: 1,025kg
• SX+: 1,025kg
• X-Line: 1,027kg
• X-Pro: 1,013kg

These are maximum specification figures before your own load is added.  

It’s easy to see how usable payload can start disappearing.

Add several adults, tools, luggage, a heavy canopy, recovery equipment and the trailer’s towball download, and a seemingly generous payload figure becomes much more relevant.

That’s why buyers shouldn’t choose a ute based on towing capacity alone.

Comparing the Tasman With Your Other Options?

Vehicle price, finance structure and running costs can make two similarly capable utes look quite different once you consider the complete ownership picture.

Compare your vehicle and finance options with Fingo

Is the Kia Tasman Practical for Work?

The Tasman’s usefulness isn’t limited to towing.

The dual-cab pick-up has up to 1,336 litres of tub capacity, and Kia says the tub can accommodate an Australian-standard pallet. 

For buyers needing more payload, Kia also offers cab-chassis versions. Certain cab-chassis configurations are rated for up to 1,185kg of payload, while retaining the 3,500kg maximum braked towing capacity and 350kg towball rating. 

That gives buyers more flexibility depending on whether the priority is family use, touring, trade work or carrying specialised equipment.

A dual-cab may make more sense if the vehicle needs to handle passengers and recreational use, while a cab-chassis configuration could be better suited to buyers prioritising payload and work functionality.

For businesses looking at multiple work vehicles rather than a single ute, Fingo also offers vehicle fleet solutions to help businesses consider their broader vehicle requirements.

How Much Fuel Could the Tasman Use While Towing?

This is one area where buyers should be realistic.

Towing additional mass requires additional energy, so fuel consumption will generally increase when a heavy trailer is attached.

How much it increases depends on several factors, including:

• trailer weight
• trailer shape and aerodynamic drag
• road conditions
• driving speed
• terrain
• wind
• tyre pressures
• vehicle load

A large caravan can create considerably more aerodynamic resistance than a lower trailer of similar weight.

For that reason, the official unladen fuel-consumption figure shouldn’t be used as a direct prediction of what you’ll spend while towing.

If long-distance touring is a major part of your plans, estimate your fuel budget based on your expected towing use rather than assuming everyday consumption will remain unchanged.

Is the Kia Tasman Suitable for Caravan Towing?

For many caravans, yes.

The Tasman’s 3,500kg braked towing rating gives it enough headline capacity for a wide range of Australian caravans. The integrated trailer brake controller and dedicated Tow Mode also make it better equipped for the job than a ute that relies heavily on aftermarket towing equipment. 

But matching the caravan to the vehicle is still essential.

Before buying, check the caravan’s actual loaded weight rather than relying only on its empty or tare weight. Then account for towball download, passengers, accessories and everything you expect to carry in the Tasman.

This is particularly important if you’re considering a larger caravan approaching the ute’s maximum towing rating.

The closer you get to the vehicle’s limits, the more carefully the complete combination needs to be calculated.

Could a Kia Tasman Work With a Novated Lease?

For eligible employees, a ute such as the Kia Tasman may be worth comparing through salary packaging depending on the vehicle, employer arrangements and individual circumstances.

A novated lease can package eligible vehicle expenses into regular payroll deductions, which means the comparison isn’t necessarily the same as looking at a conventional car loan repayment alone.

If you’re unfamiliar with how the arrangement works, Fingo’s guide to novated leasing is a useful place to start.

The important thing is to compare the actual numbers.

Vehicle price, annual kilometres, finance costs, running expenses, lease term and residual value can all affect the estimate.

For someone buying a Tasman specifically for towing, realistic running-cost assumptions are particularly important. Higher annual kilometres and additional fuel consumption while towing can materially change the budget compared with a vehicle used mainly for commuting.

Want to See What a Kia Tasman Could Look Like Through Salary Packaging?

If you’re eligible for a novated lease, you can start with an estimate based on your salary and vehicle details before requesting a formal quote.

Try Fingo’s Novated Lease Calculator

The Bottom Line

The Kia Tasman has the fundamentals required to be taken seriously as a towing ute in Australia.

Its 3,500kg braked towing capacity, 440Nm diesel engine, integrated trailer brake controller, Tow Mode and roughly one-tonne payload capability give it the specifications expected in this part of the market.  

The important part is understanding what those numbers mean in practice.

A 3,500kg maximum towing rating doesn’t exist independently from payload, towball download, passengers, accessories and the Tasman’s 6,200kg GCM. Buyers planning serious towing should calculate their complete setup rather than choosing a vehicle based on the biggest number in the brochure.

For work, recreational towing and caravan trips within the vehicle’s limits, the Tasman has a strong set of credentials. Buyers who expect to tow near maximum capacity regularly should be particularly careful about matching the vehicle, trailer and load to their intended use.

And once you’ve decided what capability you actually need, the next step is working out what the vehicle looks like financially. Get support across your vehicle journey with Fingo and compare the options before committing.