Kia Tasman Boxing Day Bloodbath: The Swan is Sinking

The “Desert Swan” has officially hit a sandbank. Kia Australia’s bold plan to shift 20,000 Tasmans a year is currently a pipe dream, with the latest figures showing just 3,716 deliveries to the end of November. Even with a December push, Kia will struggle to crack 4,300 total units for 2025. That isn’t just a “slow start”—it’s a disaster for a model that was supposed to redefine the segment. To make matters worse, the BYD Shark 6 and the newly landed MG U9 Diesel are currently eating the Tasman’s lunch.

Dealer Desperation

If you walk into a Kia dealership today, the vibe isn’t “celebration”—it’s “clearance.” While the official website still quotes premium prices, the reality on the ground is a fire sale. Dealers are sitting on a mountain of “polarising” X-Series stock. We are seeing X-Pro demonstrators and in-stock units being listed as low as $68,788—a massive drop from the $77,990 launch sticker.

Kia is trying to put a brave face on it with “incentives,” but let’s call them what they are: begging bowls. Use Kia Finance right now and they’ll throw in a $4,000 Deposit Contribution for X-Line and X-Pro models. On top of that, they’re tacking on a free “Accessory Pack” (tow bar, side steps, and soft tonneau). When you stack the price cuts, the finance contribution, and the free gear, you’re looking at an effective value slash of nearly $14,000.

Download full specifications sheet HERE:kia-tasman-brochure

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The Veteran Shark and the MG Newcomer

The BYD Shark 6 is no longer the new kid on the block—it has already moved over 10,000 units in 2025. As of today, BYD has responded to Boxing Day with a national drive-away offer of $59,400. For that, you get 321kW and a 5.7-second sprint—specs that make the Tasman’s 2.2L diesel look like it’s standing still.

Then there’s the new MG U9 Diesel. While it only began customer deliveries in earnest in October, it is already showing Kia how to move metal. The strategy is simple: go for the jugular on price. As of this morning, the MG U9 Explore 4×4 is being offered at a “Launch Special” of $52,990 drive-away. It packs a 2.5L turbo-diesel pumping out 160kW and 520Nm—beating the Tasman’s outputs—for over $20,000 less than a flagship Kia.

The ANCAP problems

There is a massive asterisk on the Tasman’s marketing. Kia has been shouting about its five-star ANCAP rating, but that safety net vanishes the moment you step into the top-tier models. Because the X-Line and X-Pro variants use off-road-focused bumpers that don’t play nice with pedestrian safety tests, they are technically UNRATED.

If you’re a fleet buyer or a business owner whose insurance requires a 5-star safety rating, you literally cannot buy the flagship Tasman. Meanwhile, the Shark 6 and MG U9 have entered the market with full 5-star ratings across their entire ranges, making the Kia’s compromise look like a massive oversight.

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*Drive-away pricing as of Dec 27, 2025. Tasman price reflects demonstrator stock and includes the $4,000 Finance contribution