Kia Tasman earns five stars in ANCAP testing

The Tasman dual-cab ute, Kia’s first, has achieved the top ANCAP safety rating following destructive crash testing. 

It delivered strong safety outcomes across all four key areas of assessment. Results were: Adult Occupant Protection (85 per cent), Child Occupant Protection (also 85 per cent), Vulnerable Road User Protection (74 per cent), and Safety Assist (80 per cent).

Utes continue to dominate the new car markets on both sides of the Tasman. In June, four of the top five selling vehicles sold in Australia were dual-cab utes. They were Ranger, Hilux, D-Max and Shark 6, all holding five-star ANCAP safety ratings. It’s a similar situation in New Zealand where four of the top eight selling models in June were utes.

Given their time spent on the road, it is important that they offer robust levels of safety, said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg. 

Check out our Kia Tasman first drive review.

A particularly impressive aspect of the Tasman’s performance was its moderately low crash compatibility risk. This assessment measures the risk the test vehicle poses to other potential vehicles and their occupants. For a vehicle of its size and mass, the Tasman performed very well, according to Ms Hoorweg.

“Fleet buyers and potential Tasman customers across the country have been eagerly awaiting the Tasman’s safety rating. This five-star result will be welcome news.”

With the exception of the X-Line and X-Pro, the five-star rating for the Kia Tasman applies to all 4×4-dual cab variants currently on sale. X-Line and X-Pro variants, as well as 4×2 rear-wheel drive and upcoming single-cab and dual-cab-chassis variants have not yet been assessed by ANCAP.