At the heart of the Tasman is a 2.2-litre SmartStream turbodiesel engine. While the displacement may sound modest compared to some V6 rivals, the unit is tuned to produce 154kW of power and 440Nm of torque. Crucially, the torque band is wide (1,750 to 2,750 rpm), providing the low-end grunt required for technical off-roading and a 3500kg braked towing capacity.

Power is managed through an 8-speed automatic transmission. The chassis architecture stays true to bakkie tradition for the sake of durability, utilising a robust ladder-frame paired with a double-wishbone front suspension and a rigid rear axle with leaf springs.

Dimensions and Off-Road Geometry

The Tasman is a physically imposing vehicle, measuring 5410mm in length with a 3,270mm wheelbase, placing it at the larger end of the mid-size segment. However, Kia has prioritised geometry over pure scale:

• Ground Clearance: 252mm
• Wading Depth: 800mm
• Approach/Departure Angles: 32.2° / 26.2°
• Payload: Exceeds 1000kg

For technical driving, the Tasman introduces an X-TREK mode which is a low-speed cruise control for rough terrain and is supplemented by a rear electronic differential lock and Downhill Brake Control (DBC).

Digital Cockpit and Interior Tech

Inside, the Tasman borrows heavily from Kia’s latest EV and SUV design language. The dashboard is dominated by a panoramic digital display that integrates a 12.3-inch driver cluster, a central infotainment screen, and a dedicated interface for climate control.

The flagship models also integrate Kia’s “DriveWise” ADAS suite, bringing level 2 autonomy features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and autonomous emergency braking to the bakkie segment. It’s a cabin that feels more like a Sorento than a traditional workhorse, aimed directly at the “lifestyle” buyer who uses their vehicle as a primary family commuter.

The Competition: A Battle of Specs and Value

The Tasman enters a market dominated by the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, but its specifications suggest it is aiming for a middle ground between “workhorse” and “luxury hauler.”

While the Hilux and Ranger offer higher torque figures from their primary diesel units, the Tasman counters with a superior warranty and longer service intervals. It also faces stiff competition from the Isuzu D-Max, known for its mechanical longevity, and the Mitsubishi Triton, which recently underwent its own ground-up redesign. For Kia, the challenge lies in swaying brand-loyal South Africans toward a newcomer that promises SUV-like refinement in a segment that usually prioritises “toughness” above all else.

South African Range and Pricing

The local lineup is divided into three primary grades, each available with an optional “Colour Coded” package that replaces rugged black exterior plastics with body-coloured trim for a more premium look.

• Tasman LX 4×2 (R679,995): The entry point, focused on durability and work-ready utility.
• Tasman SX 4×4 (R879,995): The mid-tier all-rounder, introducing the all-wheel-drive system and enhanced tech.
• Tasman X-Pro 4×4 (R999,995): The off-road flagship, featuring specialized terrain settings and the full suite of luxury appointments.

The Kia Tasman officially went on sale on April 9, 2026, and includes a 5-year/unlimited km warranty and a 6-year/90,000km service plan as standard.

I know, I know, the intro to this article is a bit loud, but we can’t help it when the Fusion Orange on this Sportage is making the most noise. I love it actually.

So, here’s what’s actually going on. The good folk at Kia South Africa were kind enough, and they decided to loan us this machine to spend the holidays with. The only catch? Have as much fun as possible with the vehicle and show it off to the rest of Mzansi. And that’s exactly what we have planned. Over the next 3 – or 4 weeks, we’ll be exploring the greater parts of Mzansi with this cute orange baddie. The term baddie is used loosely here. And no, the car is not bad.

According to Urban Dictionary, a baddie is someone who is always slaying the game and always on fleek. Basically, a person that is extremely put together and looks phenomenal even on her off days.

Our test vehicle is the 2023 Sportage GT-Line, coming in at R664 995. The GT-Line trim adds a number of features to the EX package, most notably 18″ alloy wheels, remote folding rear seats, blind-spot assist, panoramic sunroof, a 12.3″ touchscreen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, power driver’s seat, and a wireless phone charging pad.

Just when you thought we’re done, its worth adding that the interior of the Sportage GT-Line is a lovely place to spend some time. Leg, head, and shoulder room front and rear are amazing. Not forgetting, Cargo capacity, even with the rear seats occupied, is similarly excellent.

The seats are finished off in a deep black animal-free leather. A material, which I could best explain as vinyl. It’s not too obvious. Nor does it scream premium at you. It feels darn good to the touch though.

My time behind the wheel of the new Kia Sportage till date has been, well, less than astonishing. But its only been a week. The ride itself is comfortable, quiet and powerful enough for almost any driving condition you throw at it.

Again, I know this article might be a bit vague when you read it, but it was just an introduction to our lovely December ride. I’ll be sharing more with you as the days and weeks go by about my experience with the Sportage. From sunny Cape Town, have a lekker one!

Kia has yet to reveal all the specifics, but it did mention some of the must-see features in its newest Sportage crossover. Branding it as ‘the ultimate urban SUV,’ the latest Sportage has grown marginally over the previous generation. It now measures 4,660 mm long, 1,865 mm wide, and 1,660 mm in height, slightly longer than the Tucson and more prominent than the Honda CR-V.

Additionally, it has a 2,755 mm wheelbase, offering more legroom and rear passenger room than the more popular Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Kia claims 1,050 mm of legroom and 1,000 mm of headroom in the second row, while the added length enables Sportage to swallow 637 litres of storage space behind the back seats.

The latest Sportage features an electronic 4WD system and electronic suspension to offer outstanding stability and driving comfort whether on or off-road. Also new is an All-Terrain driving mode in conjunction with the Sportage’s Comfort, Eco, Sport, and default Drive modes. As expected, the all-terrain driving mode provides optimal vehicle settings to cope with rugged terrains like mud, snow, sand, and ice.

On the safety front, the 2023 Kia Sportage boasts class-leading active safety features and advanced driving aids. It comes with navigation-based smart cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, and remote parking assist, to name a few.

The 2023 Kia Sportage will make its global debut later this year, and we suspect the first Mzansi units will start arriving by early or mid-2022. Kia will announce the pricing, exact launch date, trim levels, and other specs at a later date.

The Kia Sonet shares the same styling as other vehicles the brand offers, especially the Sportage in front, but the rest of the body is reminiscent of the Seltos that has graced our homepage a few times.

It comes with one powertrain which, to our delight, suits the car perfectly. What you get is a 1.5-litre engine that boasts outputs of 85 kW at 6,300 r/min and 144 Nm of torque at 4,500 r/min. You then have the choice between a 6-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Two trim levels (LX and EX) are available as well.

And I must confess, I mistook the 1.5-litre engine for something bigger at first. My favourite is the automatic gearbox as its impressively absent of that rubber-banding feel that some continuously variable transmissions suffer from.

In fact it all sufficiently perky for urban duties. Though it’s not the most refined engine – there’s a fair amount of noise audible inside. It drives nicely enough, and the CVT is loads better than the example in Toyota’s Corolla I drove recently.

The Sonet offers several features that Kia claim are a segment first, including:

• Remote central locking
• Air-conditioning
• Bluetooth
• Front and rear electric windows
• Electric mirrors
• 6 speakers
• 15-inch steel wheels
• Height-adjustable driver’s seat
• Automatic headlamp activation
• Rear-view camera
• Combination artificial leather and cloth seat trim

The mid-spec EX models adds on:

• Rear park distance control
• Leather steering wheel and gear knob
• Silver skid plate
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Roof rails
• Side repeater lamps
• Front fog lights

The Kia Sonet is priced from R264 995 for the LX Manual and R285 995 for the EX CVT.

As mentioned the Kia Rio has undergone a facelift to help bring its groove back but we can’t help but wonder whether that’s enough to entice South Africans to swing this way since this segment has some tough contenders. For context, the Kia Rio has been taking on the likes of VW’s Polo and Hyundai’s i20.

Let’s talk about the noticeable changes to the Rio; The front fascia has a flatter sportier “tiger nose” and the bumper has been reworked to assist with more air intake to the radiator while the fog lamps have been relocated. The LS models now have 15-inch alloy wheels while the EX gets the 17-inch wheels.

Kia then supplemented the Rio with the inclusion of the 1.4LS option of which I was excited about since they only offered the 1.2L option previously. When it comes to frugality, unfortunately, the 1.4L engine that pushes out 73kW that’s coupled with a six-speed transmission leaves you with a lack of passion for the Rio.

I found this spec to be underwhelming when it came to power delivery. However, I found that the overall drive of and comfort levels of the car met my expectations of a typical day to day drive. Also, if you are a manual kind of driver you will be pleased to know that the Kia Rio is also available in a manual transmission which also leads me to believe the drive may be more desirable in this configuration.

The interior showcase minimal changes that work very well for the Rio. The 8-inch touch screen infotainment is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ready. The Rio only offers two USB slots, with one that service the front and another that services the rear passengers. The sound system isn’t the greatest when you bump up your favourite Yanos tunes. However, I love that the Rio has enough space to fit 4 adults comfortably. The rear folding seats are an absolute bonus as they open up the vehicle to fit more cargo because of the 60:40 split of the seats. Another upside is the fact that they fold flat meaning they give more flexibility when loading large items. Overall, the interior has a very simplistic appeal with minimal dials in the steering wheel to control that audio system.

Overall, I think the Kia Rio is a stunning car when it comes to appearance and durability. With a price tag that starts from R280 995 and an unlimited kilometre or 5-year warranty I believe you do get for what you pay for.

This all-new KIA Sorento is scheduled to debut in South Africa in the first half of 2021.

The Sorento achieved 82% for adult occupant protection, 85% for child occupant protection, 63% for pedestrian protection, and 87% in the ‘Safety Assist’ category.

Euro NCAP praised the Sorento for passenger compartments that remained stable in the event of a collision, as well as its ability to offer good protection for all critical body areas in the side barrier test. The Sorento also scored highly for child occupant protection. Seat and head restraint tests demonstrated good passenger protection against whiplash injury in the event of a rear-end collision. The Sorento’s standard-fit Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system also helped the car avoid impacts during testing for the ‘Safety Assist’ category.

The car’s safety rating was reinforced by the Advanced High Strength Steel bodyshells that underpin each Sorento SUV, with torsional rigidity that is 12.5% higher than the perceived ‘safety leader’ in the Sorento’s segment.

Every car is fitted with seven standard-fit airbags, including a new front centre airbag, a new innovation that provides additional head protection for front-seat occupants. All Sorento models are equipped as standard with KIA’s Vehicle Stability Management and Electronic Stability Control systems to help drivers maintain control under braking and cornering

The carmakers are offering services such as support specifically for the nation’s healthcare workers who are risking their own lives in order to save others to grocery relief for the needy. Below, we’ve listed a few automakers worthy of a praise for doing their bit during these difficult times. In no particular order, of course.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz South Africa announced that it will assist in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic in the Eastern Cape, by manufacturing the supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the form of 3D printed recyclable plastic face shields for use in mass screening, clinics and hospitals. In addition, and pending quality assurance regulatory approval, MBSA will also manufacture and supply Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) breathing aid devices from its East London Manufacturing Plant for the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health.

BMW

MW Group South Africa’s contribution to the fight against the spread of Covid-19 stepped up a gear this week as the company loaned 17 BMWs to the South African Red Cross Society. This is after the brand had handed over 40 000 high-quality protective respiratory (FFP2) face masks to the Gauteng Department of Health in order to help protect health services workers.

The Red Cross had asked BMW for assistance to help it reach marginalised and poor communities that have been badly impacted by the lockdown regulations required to mitigate against the uncontrolled spread of the virus.

The cars, the majority of which are Rosslyn-built BMW X3s, will be used by the Red Cross to reach these communities. In addition to the provision of screening and contact tracing, the cars will assist with the distribution of hot meals and food parcels, the dissemination of information in six languages, the elimination of coronavrius myths, and the provision of psycho-social support to volunteers and emergency personnel engaged in anti-Covid-19 operations.

KIA Motors

KIA Motors has, in the other hand, decided to donate to more than one cause. This week, the Korean manufacturer donated a KIA K2700 light commercial vehicle to the Madrassah Ashraful Uloom in Marlboro, Johannesburg, to assist the organisation in delivering food and other essentials to the vulnerable community of Alexandra and surrounds during the Covid-19 Lockdown.

This follows KIA’s donatation of three KIA K2700 light commercial vehicles and three KIA Picanto STARTs to SANZAF to also assist in delivering food and other welfare support services to vulnerable communities.

Ford Motors

Ford Motors has been leading news headlines with their acts (yes, more than once) of goodwill even before the coronavirus lockdown period started. The latest act came in just last week when Ford announced it is supporting the Port Elizabeth branch of the SA Red Cross Society with two loan Ford Ranger Double Cabs to use from the start of the lockdown through to the end of May.

Before that, Ford dealers  stepped up to support Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa’s initiative to produce COVID-19 face shields by contributing R1-million to the project from the Ford National Dealer Council. Additionally, Ford suppliers and business partners have donated over R900 000 to the project, which includes R600 000 from Absa, with which Ford has a joint venture in Ford Credit.

April set the concrete for Ford’s efforts as they announced that they has commenced production of 57 000 protective face shields that will be donated to front-line medical and essential services personnel who are most at risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus that has spread worldwide. Ford has also approached its suppliers and business partners to ramp up production to a minimum of 500 000 units to meet the growing demand for these shields.

This was shortly followed by Ford Motor’s partnership with several local NGOs to provide vehicles for their use to assist their community support and relief efforts. This includes Gift of the Givers and Laudium Disaster Management.

During the latter part of April Ford Credit confirmed that it was allowing personal and business  customers that are impacted by reduced income or cashflow have the option of requesting a much needed payment deferral. All of this followed a two-month extension to the service plan for all vehicles where the contract expires between 1 March and 31 May 2020.

On 12 June 2020 Ford announced that its Ford Motor Company Fund has awarded a grant of R355 000 to Unjani Clinics to mobilise hygiene efforts and equip communities with basic personal protective items as a proactive measure to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

Unjani Clinics, which is a non-profit company and registered public benefit organisation, developed the project to focus on two main taxi ranks in Mamelodi in Pretoria and Struandale in Port Elizabeth respectively, where 6 500 protection and hygiene packs will be distributed to commuters over 30 days to limit the spread of COVID-19 as people begin returning to work.

Ford’s efforts haven’t stopped yet. Ford has assembled and supplied 50 000 face shields for the United States Department of Defense to shore up its response to the COVID-19 pandemic in our region.

This large order was facilitated by the US Embassy in Pretoria, and funded by the US AFRICOM Humanitarian Assistance programme. The face shields will be provided to the South African Military Health Service members who are on the frontlines battling the coronavirus across the country. They will also be supplied to Botswana, Namibia and the Kingdoms of Eswatini and Lesotho.

Mazda

Mazda dealers across South Africa are offering a free vehicle service to registered healthcare workers under level 4 and level 5 lockdown. This program is available to all Mazda vehicles, irrespective of their age.

As further assistance to all Mazda owners with vehicles that have valid warranty and service plans, these plans will be extended. The extension period depends on the duration of the lockdown and Mazda owners can obtain individual details from their dealer partners.

Toyota South Africa

Meanwhile, back in Sandton, Toyota South Africa Motors committed to spending more than R10 million to assist the local taxi industry in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. The assistance comes in the form of more than 65 000 litres of sanitisers, 2 000 face masks, as well as COVID-19-related marketing initiatives.

With regards to sanitisers, a total of 2 000 x 25 litres, 3 000 x 5 litres, 20 000 x 100ml, as well as 2 000 hand-wash dispensers have been distributed to regional taxi structures across the country’s nine provinces.

Volkswagen

Similar to Ford Motor’s long aid sheet, Volkswagen has spared no effort when it comes to the fight against VOVID19. Things started back on April 20th when VW announced that in response to the global Covid-19 crisis, they’re focusing time and attention on the manufacture of masks and medical equipment in addition to using 3D printing technology to produce parts for a mechanical ventilator which will be produced at the Uitenhage plant.

On 1 May 2020 Volkswagen donated 150 beds to the isolation facility at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. This is following Nelson Mandela Bay municipality’s announced that the stadium would be used to isolate low-acuity patients who have been infected with Covid-19, to prevent them from spreading the virus further.

Some sort of assistance was introduced for VW owners, too. In the event that your new vehicle warranty or the EasyDrive Plan expires or has expired during the period from 27 March 2020 to
30 June 2020, Volkswagen announced that they will extend the warranty or maintenance/service plan periods with an additional three months. These periods will end three months after the expiry of the new vehicle warranty or the Volkswagen EasyDrive Plan. Unfortunately, mileage restrictions will not be extended.

To better things, Volkswagen will be converting its plant in Neave (Korsten, Port Elizabeth), which is currently not in use, into an overflow medical facility. Once fully operational, the facility could accommodate up to 4 000 beds for patients diagnosed with the Covid-19 virus. This would also include high-acuity patients who require oxygenation.

Funding for this project comes from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) will provide funding of 5.2 million Euros (R107 million) while VWSA will contribute R28 million to the project.

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi partnered with SANZAAR Rugby Referees Jaco Peyper, Rasta Rashivenga and Junior Springbok assistant coach Bafana Nhleko on community feeding projects over the last week. Their aim was to reach community members in need with a small food parcel during this time. Such a noble deed.

Hyundai

Hyundai has donated vehicles to Gift of the Givers and FoodForward SA – both non-governmental organisations who have made it their mission to distribute food to such communities.

Eight vehicles – five H100 trucks, one H-1 Bus and two Grand i10 Cargo panel vans – are being donated to Gift of the Givers and FoodForward South Africa. The organisations will use the vehicles in their drive to get food to communities where families have no income and a severe food shortage due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Two of the H100 trucks and the H-1 Bus will go to Gift of the Givers, while FoodForward SA is to receive three H100 trucks and two Grand i10 Cargo panel vans. The H100 trucks will be fitted with closed canopies donated by Beekman.

This feature is updated as announcements are made

The previous third-generation Sorento was not a bad-looking car, but the new fourth-gen model is beaming with pride. It has a new angular front bumper and horizontal grille similar to the Seltos. The sharper lines and elongated proportions of the vehicle connotes dynamism and confidence. The Sorento is riding on Kia’s new-generation midsize SUV platform, and it’s also the first vehicle to utilise this new chassis design.

The new Kia Sorento has a visibly larger yet tauter body style than the outgoing model. This means a larger cabin and more boot space in the back. According to Kia’s press release sent out earlier today, the new Sorento is among the most versatile and spacious three-row SUVs to hit the road. It may not be obvious at first glance, but the new Sorento is 10 mm longer, 10 mm taller, and exactly 10 mm wider than the old model. It also has shorter front and rear overhangs for a sportier appearance.

But the biggest news is the wheelbase, which is now 35 mm longer. This enabled Kia to draw the A-pillar 30 mm further back from the front axle to give the new Sorento a longer bonnet. Also, Kia retained the familiar D-pillar design and wheel arch cladding as part of Sorento’s DNA.

At the back, the new Sorento is clearly inspired by the rugged-premium design of the Telluride. You’ll find a pair of snazzy vertical tail lamps that elegantly wrap around the bodywork along with dual tailpipes and bold SORENTO lettering across the tailgate. The car also has front and rear skid plates and an integrated spoiler to complete the sporting vibe.

The fourth-gen Sorento is also the first in its lineage to receive an electrified hybrid powertrain. It combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol mill with a 44.2 kW electric motor. Drawing power from a 1.49 kWh battery pack, the combined out is a thrilling 230 ps and 350 Nm torque, all of which are routed to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.

The Sorentos will also have the option of a 2.2-liter diesel engine with 202 ps and 440 Nm torque. Mated to a new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the diesel is perfect if you’re highly concerned about fuel economy. Then there’s also the new 1.6-litre T-GDi engine features KIA’s new Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology, regulating valve opening time according to driving conditions, instead of operating on a fixed opening time.

Inside, the new Kia Sorento features an upscale and tech-filled cabin. The driver gets to stare at a 12.3-inch digital instrument display while there’s a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity. It also has vertical air vents with chrome trim that extends to the centre console below. The cabin is splattered with a varied mix of leather, metal, and satin-embossed surfaces. In short, it’s a nice place to be whether sitting idly in traffic or cruising effortlessly on the highway.

And since the Sorento is still a family-oriented SUV, it remains a practical hauler even in its optional seven-seat configuration. The third row can now adjust 45 mm further to deliver better legroom, making it better suited for adults rather than small children. And with the third-row seats in the upright position, there’s now 32-percent more boot space than before. Choose the five-seat model and you have 910 litres of boot space to play with.

On the safety front, the 2021 Sorento is equipped with blind-spot assist with collision avoidance, forward collision avoidance assist, and a surround-view monitor depending on the trim model. Other safety features include lane following assist, driver attention warning, smart cruise control, and highway driving assist.

The 2021 Kia Sorento arrives in Europe in the third quarter of 2020. Meanwhile, the South African and other markets can expect first deliveries to begin by the end of the year.

Entering its fourth-generation, the all-new Sportage features a bold, progressive design, which exudes power and agility from every angle. The dynamic compact SUV styling creates visual harmony out of the tension between bold, precise feature lines and dramatically-sculptured bodywork. Inside, the all-new Sportage marries simple, modern style with rich material quality for KIA’s most refined, highest-quality cabin to date.

With the design of the new model led by the brand’s European design centre – located in Frankfurt – the all-new Sportage represents the future face of KIA.