Kia Corporation, a leading South Korean automaker and subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, has received top safety marks for its first-ever pickup truck, the Tasman, in Australia’s New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
Several media outlets reported on July 31 that the Tasman 4×4 dual cab earned a 5-star rating in ANCAP’s 2025 crash and crash avoidance tests, maintaining the brand’s streak of top-tier safety performance for the third consecutive year.
The Tasman performed strongly across all four key evaluation areas: adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, vulnerable road user (pedestrian) protection, and safety assist technologies.
The rating applies specifically to the 4×4 dual cab variant, while other models—including the X-Line, X-Pro, 4×2, and future single cab and chassis cab variants—were not included in the current testing.
In frontal offset crash testing, the Tasman demonstrated low injury risk for both adult and child crash test dummies. Despite its large size, the vehicle showed a relatively low risk of crash incompatibility with other vehicles and their occupants.
However, in the full-width frontal crash test, a “submarining” issue was observed in the driver dummy—where the pelvis slipped under the seatbelt—resulting in a minor point deduction.
Kia plans to use this result to strengthen its position in Australia’s fast-growing pickup truck market. According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), 139,295 pickup trucks were sold in Australia last month alone, marking an 11.2% increase year over year.
The company recently launched the Tasman on its Australian website, revealing full specifications and pricing.
Kia previously reported that over 20,000 preorders were secured ahead of the official launch—matching its stated annual sales target for the Australian market.
“Pickup trucks serve both commercial and family purposes in Australia, so a high level of safety is non-negotiable,” said ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg. “Tasman’s 5-star result reflects Kia’s commitment to safety in vehicle development.”
With strong safety credentials and a growing foothold in a key segment, the Tasman is set to play a pivotal role in Kia’s global expansion strategy.
