AUTOMOBILEKia Tasman Shines in ANCAP Test but Trails BYD Shark 6, JAC T9

The wait is finally over for safety-conscious ute buyers. The highly-anticipated Kia Tasman has secured a coveted five-star ANCAP safety rating following comprehensive testing under the 2023-2025 criteria. As Kia’s first-ever ute, this achievement marks a significant milestone for the Korean manufacturer entering Australia’s competitive dual-cab market.

Strong Performance Across All Safety Categories

The Tasman achieved impressive scores of 85% for Adult Occupant Protection, 85% for Child Occupant Protection, 74% for Vulnerable Road User Protection, and 80% for Safety Assist. These results demonstrate solid safety credentials that will reassure families and fleet buyers alike.

What makes the Tasman’s performance particularly noteworthy is that it was only demerited 2.46 points in testing – a better result than several established competitors including the BYD Shark 6, Mitsubishi Triton, GWM Cannon Alpha, JAC T9, Ford Ranger, and Isuzu D-Max

Crash Test Excellence

ANCAP noted that the Tasman delivered “notable high scores, denoting low risk of injury, for each of the adult and child dummy occupants in the frontal offset crash test”. The testing also revealed impressive crash compatibility performance, meaning the Tasman poses lower risk to other vehicles and their occupants in potential collisions.

Minor Concern in Full-Width Frontal Test

While the results are overwhelmingly positive, ANCAP identified one area of concern. During the full-width frontal crash test, the driver dummy’s pelvis slipped beneath the lap section of the seatbelt, resulting in a penalty. This represents a relatively minor issue that doesn’t affect the overall five-star rating but highlights room for improvement.

Rating Limitations Worth Knowing

The five-star rating currently applies only to the S, SX, and SX+ dual-cab 4×4 variants. The X-Line and X-Pro models, along with upcoming 4×2, single-cab, and dual-cab chassis variants, remain unrated. This limitation is due to design differences, particularly with the X-Line and X-Pro models lacking specific safety trim pieces that aid pedestrian protection.

Competitive Landscape in Ute Safety

The Tasman joins an increasingly safety-conscious ute segment. It now stands alongside five-star rated rivals including the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max, and BYD Shark 6. Notably, the BYD Shark 6 is the only other dual-cab to achieve five-star rating under the current 2025 protocols, while models like the GWM Cannon Alpha, JAC T9, and Mitsubishi Triton earned their ratings under the previous 2024 criteria.

Market Context and Timing

The timing couldn’t be better, with utes dominating Australian sales. June 2025 data shows four of the five top-selling vehicles were dual-cab utilities, with light commercial vehicles representing more than 25% of new vehicle sales. This massive market share underscores why safety performance in this segment matters so much to Australian families and businesses.

What This Means for Buyers

The Tasman’s safety achievement provides peace of mind for potential buyers who’ve been eagerly awaiting Kia’s entry into the ute market. ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg noted that “fleet buyers and potential Tasman customers across the country have been eagerly awaiting the Tasman’s safety rating, and this five-star result will be welcome news”.

For families considering the Tasman as both a workhorse and family transport, the strong child occupant protection scores and comprehensive safety assist features make it a compelling option. The autonomous emergency braking system covers multiple scenarios including car-to-car, vulnerable road users, junctions, and even reverse situations.

Advanced Safety Technology

The Tasman comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety technologies that contributed to its five-star rating. Standard features include autonomous emergency braking across multiple scenarios, lane support systems with lane keep assist and emergency lane keeping, plus an advanced speed assistance system. These technologies work together to help prevent accidents before they occur.

As more variants become available, buyers should watch for updated ANCAP ratings covering the X-Line and X-Pro models, plus the upcoming rear-wheel-drive and single-cab variants. ANCAP’s Carla Hoorweg emphasized that “the dual cab shopping list is already healthy, and we expect it to grow with new contenders entering the market”, suggesting continued focus on safety as competition intensifies.

The Tasman’s strong showing reinforces that buyers don’t need to compromise on safety when choosing between established and emerging brands in the ute segment. With its five-star rating secured, the focus now shifts to real-world performance and value as the Tasman prepares for its Australian market debut.

Quick FAQs

Q: Which Tasman variants have the five-star rating?

A: Only the S, SX, and SX+ dual-cab 4×4 models are currently rated. X-Line and X-Pro remain unrated.

Q: How does the Tasman compare to Chinese competitors?

A: The Tasman was demerited fewer points than BYD Shark 6 and JAC T9, despite all achieving five-star ratings.

Q: What was the main safety concern identified?

A: Driver dummy pelvis slippage beneath the seatbelt during full-width frontal impact testing.

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