Anticipated Safety Rating of 2025 Kia Tasman Ute Unveiled Prior to Market Release
The Kia Tasman dual cab utility has joined the ranks of safety leaders in the competitive market, earning a five-star ANCAP safety rating. This prestigious accolade places the Tasman alongside established segment leaders such as the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux under the 2023-2025 testing protocols.
The Tasman's safety scores are impressive, with 85% for Adult Occupant Protection, 85% for Child Occupant Protection, 74% for Vulnerable Road User Protection, and 80% for Safety Assist features. The rating applies specifically to certain 4x4 dual-cab variants, including the X-Line and X-Pro models. Some entry-level and chassis cab versions remain unrated.
Several notable safety features are included in the Tasman, such as ISOFIX and top-tether child seat anchorages on both outboard rear seats, multiple airbags, and seatbelt pretensioners. Advanced safety and driver assistance technologies are also abundant, including autonomous emergency braking, collision mitigation when reversing and post-collision steer/brake, collision warnings for vulnerable road users, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring with active assist, cross traffic alerts front and rear, driver attention detection, and side door exit warning.
Although the Tasman displayed a "moderately low" crash compatibility risk with other vehicles for its size and mass, it performed well in crash tests. However, a minor penalty was given for pelvic slip in the full-width frontal test.
ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg expressed her satisfaction with the continued prioritisation of safety in the dual cab segment, stating, "Given the time spent on the road by utes, it is important that models in the high-volume segment offer robust levels of safety."
The dual cab market is already thriving, and new contenders are expected to enter the scene. As it stands, the Kia Tasman, Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max, and BYD Shark 6 all share a five-star ANCAP safety rating. The Tasman's strong performance in all key safety areas makes it a strong contender in the dual cab ute market.
In June 2025, four of the five top-selling vehicles in Australia were dual-cab utes, and in New Zealand, utes claimed four of the top eight spots in sales. With light commercial vehicles accounting for more than a quarter (25.3%) of new vehicle sales in Australia during the same period, the importance of safety in these vehicles cannot be overstated.
Consumers and fleet buyers are encouraged to regularly check the ANCAP website to make informed, safe purchasing decisions. As the market continues to evolve, it's crucial to stay updated on the latest safety ratings and features.
The Kia Tasman's exceptional safety features and five-star ANCAP rating bring it into competition with industry leaders such as the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, not just in the automotive segment, but also in the finance sector, where fleet buyers are increasingly prioritizing safe vehicles. The Tasman's strong performance in transportation safety, particularly in areas like vulnerable road user protection and safety assist features, underscores its potential for growth in the market, mirroring the rising demand for light commercial vehicles, which currently account for a significant portion in both Australian and New Zealand sales.
