In this Kia Tasman vs Toyota HiLux showdown, we found a structural issue that every other reviewer missed. We loaded one with 650kg and the results were a dealbreaker!
In this head-to-head, we put the 2026 Toyota HiLux SR5 (2.8L turbo diesel, 6-speed manual) against the Kia Tasman X-Line (2.2L turbo diesel, 8-speed auto) through a full on-road, off-road, interior, and payload test.
While everyone else is talking about the styling, we’ve gone further with full-payload, on-road, and off-road testing to see if the HiLux is still the only safe bet in the Australian dual cab ute market.
🔍 What we cover:
✅ Hilux highlights:
New electric power steering replaces hydraulic
450kg GCM boost for better towing payload
Mechanically locking rear diff and excellent traction control
“CyberSumo” Australian-designed styling
Six-speed manual keeps it engaging
✅ Tasman highlights:
Permanent 4×4 with automatic locking e-diff
Fits an Aussie pallet between the wheel arches
More modern cabin, powered driver’s seat, triple screens
240V plug in the tub AND cabin
Longer service intervals, cheaper running costs
⚠️ What we found:
The verdict? These two utes are incredibly close, but they suit very different buyers. The Hilux is the blue-collar workhorse. The Tasman is the sophisticated family hauler. Pick the ute that matches the job.
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#KiaTasman #ToyotaHiLux #HiLux2026 #UteComparison #KiaTasmanReview #DualCabUte #4×4 #OffRoad #CarReview #carsales
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As a tasman owner that front is so goofy😂😂
I love it so much for some wierd reason
I heard somebody took one of those Tasmans to the beach, when they got there the tide went out and wouldnt come back in until they left.
The Hilux front is growing on me. I’m thinking about buying one. I reckon it looks good with an alloy tray and black bull bar.
Tasman is better ^^
I think the Tasman looks ok. I didn’t think Ute owners cared about looks though. Judging by the amount of Rangers on the road🤷🏼
Initially i didnt like the kia look wise however much better looking than the new toyota
Hilux is looking like an air purifier and tasman looks… like nothing else.
@carsales in a manual hilux when changing from 4H to 4L make sure you press the clutch aswell as dis engaging
The SR5 is advertised at $69300 on Toyota's website.
U can not compare hilux with the KIA. The hilux is a 100 times a work horse compared to the KiA
Ok the toyota is starting to look really really good, and the rims are really nice… tasman is ugly AF
If you put the hilux the manual in 4L you need to press the clutch and It will engage immediately
I’d like to see the HiLux compared to the GWN Cannon Alpha, locking front and rear diffs, the interior is light years ahead in technology, ride and us more like a luxury vehicle that a 4wd twin cab. It’s a full ladder frame chassis , more room inside it’s just a better vehicle all round and cheaper.
everyone calls the tasman ugly, but that hilux is hideous.
also, you forgot to mention the heated seats in the model you were testing.
why anyone would buy such a ugly truck with no reputation for reliability such as the KIA is beyound me
What idiot installed headlights on the fenders?
7:01 why isn’t the camera views occupying the whole screen? I have seen other views including of SR grades that show that it should.
A very stressed engine on long service intervals can only win on paper
Clearly Toyota is better
Hilux the best 💪🏼
KIA being KIA they will fix the styling and rear suspension issues quickly
디자인에 대한 개인적 견해. 검정 막대기의 반복, 그릴, 펜더, 실내, 전체적 각진 모습, 의도한 것 이라면 전면 그릴은 조금 억지스럽다
AH! So that's what SR stands for … Sumo Rustler!
Muppets everywhere.
How the Kia managed to get past all stages of development without anyone saying hang on this thing is too ugly and strange to go to market shows how designers and companies get tunnel vision and ignore the obvious issues. The tray issue is bad as well along with the small amount of travel in the rear springs before it's running on the bumpstops. Almost feels like they concentrated more on making it drive like a SUV vs a ute and in doing so made it a flawed ute.
So now we know never to trust Australian designers😂. Toyota was supposed to leave this ugly Hilux in Australia and give the rest of the market a better looking Hilux.
That hilux is so ugly🤮
Well
I just bought an MV Triton GLXR.
Happy.
I would take the Hilux all day every day regardless of looks, and the KIA Tailgate issue, Give me a Manual any day over the Auto, and especially the Hilux as it is better at doing Ute Things, which is the whole point of it in the first place!, if your going to use a ute as an every day car then maybe the Tasman, if it wasn't so Butt Ugly, But I would still prefer a manual any day of the week!.
I would have thought the Kia version for comparison would be more like the SX which have been selling for 58k or even less including on road costs.
Silly looking cars these two😆
Love the interior of the Tasman though👌🏾
To be honest – volume controls are often rubbish these days but who uses them – just use the ones on the steering wheel. It’s just easier.
Why is the Hilux centre screen and vents off-centre? It’s asymmetrical and off to the left. Looks stupid.
I’m surprised that Toyota still even make/sell a manual Hilux.
…toyota looks like a wifi router… disappointing !
Neither are as good as the GWM utes. The only thing that will save Toyota in this case are the people who blindly badge buy without looking at other options.
That new Hilux is almost as ugly as the Tasman.
They keep saying old but the true saying is why fix it if ain't broke
The hilux has a similar looking front end as the ldv deliver 7 van 😂
Ps- excellent review and fantastic you breached the subject of that tub.
Paused at 19:15. The tub pulled in….. that says it all.
As someone who has been in the auction industry for 37 years and a valuer for major mining fleets ive had the pleasure (and otherwise) of driving just about everything.
There are 2 areas in modern cars I detest. One is intrusive “safety” suites and the rigmarole of turning them off as well as the lack of consistency across brands- there should be an ADR standard (like safety belts) across brands
The second is build quality and reliability. Its all well and good to have “fake leather” (ie shithouse vinal) and a smooth ride but when your Comfy ford ranger boils or get turbo heat soak and your kia tasman folds up like ikea furniture because you used a strap to secure a load) you have to ask whether the average car buyer can afford to “enjoy” such rubbish.
“Oh but ive got 7 years warranty” well sitting on the side of the road with your van in 42c heat and dealing with it all or as a farmer bending your ute… no thanks
Ive always had landcruisers and we have a “mines spec” hilux 2023. It doesnt ding, dong and lanse assist has to be turned on not off. The controls are simple to use, the information is enough and the touch screen is ok. Its not without fault eg we had to put bilstein suspension upgrade in it as std suspension is rubbish but ive never had a tray or tub bend, never had a toyota get hot, go into limp mode or need a computer reset. Indont have to spend time scrolling theough menus to turn shit off.
For that I will put up with dated interiors and trims and in the landcruisers a lack of cup holders.
Lastly. I have a fabulous 1979 fj45 all original. Still running all original electrics (coil condensor etc) as well as clutch.
Kia tasman is a rubbish product styled by a drunk and deserves nonplace in major fleets
RFK should have got Cam Waters for COTA…
At least if you have a accident in the Kia you don't have to worry too much because it looks like it was in one already !!
No one missed the UGLY factor! except the designers