byGrace Buchan/31 December 2025/inEvents, Kia News

Getting Behind the Wheel: Kia Tasman Off-Road Adventure

This past week, the Miles Kia team had the thrill of joining other Kia dealerships from around the country in Wellington to take the all-new Kia Tasman off the beaten track for a hands-on adventure that highlighted everything this rugged, capable Ute has to offer. Team members, from sales and parts to service, and even marketing, had the chance to get behind the wheel, experiencing Kia’s newest model and first-ever Ute firsthand.

From expert-led off-road driving experiences to showcasing NZ-inspired custom accessories, it was a day packed with excitement, learning, and a taste of the Kiwi lifestyle. It was an experience that allowed us not just to know the vehicle, but truly believe in it.

The Day Begins

The day kicked off at 8:00am, with participants gathering at the Rydges Hotel near Wellington Airport. From there, we boarded buses and headed north to Dirt Farm, nestled in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Months of preparation had gone into creating specially designed off-road tracks, built specifically for the event and to showcase everything the Kia Tasman is capable of.

Upon arriving at Dirt Farm, we were welcomed by the Kia New Zealand team and Downforce instructors, specialists in advanced driver training and off-road experiences. They explained that the tracks here were some of the most challenging they’ve ever designed, making it the perfect place to put the Kia Tasman to the test.

After a briefing, we split into groups and rotated through three activities:

Self-drive
Expert-led driving
Exploring NZ-inspired Tasman accessories

Exploring the Accessories

My group began with the accessories session, led by Kia New Zealand’s National Parts Manager. Kia is launching the Tasman with a range of New Zealand designed and built accessories, offering up to 149 options for Kiwi customers.

These accessories cover everything from rugged work setups to outdoor adventure gear, ensuring Tasman owners can tailor their Ute to their lifestyle.

Taking the Wheel

Following the accessories tour, our group moved into the self-drive portion of the day. We paired up, climbed into one of the many Tasmans, and set off with a walkie-talkie to stay in touch with the driving instructors leading the convoy.

The course stretched for about five kilometres or so. It may not sound long, but it was packed with challenges: steep bends, rocky terrain, logs, and plenty of mud kept us on our toes. You name it, we tackled it, and the Kia Tasman rose to every obstacle.

As someone with zero off-roading experience who usually drives a small hatchback, I found the transition a little daunting. But the Tasman proved so user friendly that my nerves quickly settled once we got underway.

The course was designed to showcase the vehicle’s capability, giving us a chance to experiment with the different terrain drive modes. For most of the drive we switched between Mud and Rock terrain modes, occasionally with X-Trek mode engaged for the trickier low-speed sections. This kept the Tasman moving at a steady crawl like a slow cruise control, even when the track had us bouncing around.

On tight bends and steep climbs, where the windscreen filled with nothing but sky, the 360-degree camera and bird’s-eye view display came into their own. Having that visibility made it easy to place the vehicle with confidence.

Kia Tasman driving over logs from passenger perspective

The Experts Take Over

The final stint of our day was sitting back, though hardly relaxing, while the professionals took the wheel and showed us what the Tasman is truly capable of. This meant diving into a track with tighter bends, steeper climbs, and off-camber sections that had us tilting up on three wheels. At one point we were wading through water high enough to splash across the bonnet and windscreen, while at others we were clinging to the grab handles as the Tasman powered over obstacles. It was the perfect way to see the Tasman being pushed yet the ute handling it all with composure.

Inside the Kia Tasman

While the off-road tracks were a highlight, the Kia Tasman’s interior deserves just as much attention. With four adults inside, there was ample legroom and headroom. The seats were supportive, the cabin modern and well-appointed, and thoughtful features made the drive comfortable and intuitive.

It’s the most spacious interior I’ve ever experienced in a ute.

Our Takeaway

By the end of the day, it was clear that the Kia Tasman isn’t just another Ute, it’s a versatile partner for work, play, and everything in between.

A huge thank you to Kia New Zealand for organising such an insightful and fun event. It was a reminder of why we’re in this industry, giving us the chance to learn, connect, and experience the Tasman in a way that makes us believe in the product as much as they do.

Kia Tasman Available Now at Miles Kia

We’re proud to offer the Kia Tasman right here at Miles Kia. Whether you’re tackling work sites, planning outdoor adventures, or simply looking for a versatile and capable ute, the Tasman is worth a test drive. It’s a vehicle that delivers on every front, from rugged performance and practicality to design and comfort.

Ready to see what all the excitement is about? Visit Miles Kia in Christchurch and take the Kia Tasman for a drive. Discover for yourself why it’s the perfect vehicle for both work and play, and why it stands out in the world of utes.