2025 Kia Tasman Is a Veritable Dune Basher, Heads to the Desert for More Testing

The latest footage shows the workhorse during the desert testing phase. For this leg, the automaker took a pre-production prototype to Al Qudra in the United Arab Emirates and set it loose on the sand while constantly checking various parameters and making sure that it could cope with this challenging scenario and scorching heat.

Kia says it has subjected the Tasman to well over 18,000 rounds of evaluation and nearly 2,000 specific tests. The model will be a true off-roader, which is why the engineering team behind its development focuses on driving off the beaten path. Its all-terrain durability, deep-water wading trials, towing, handling, ride, performance, and other aspects have been thoroughly assessed.

You cannot truly have a great off-roader without a body-on-frame construction, and the Tasman benefits from this gizmo. Thus, it will offer superior performance off the beaten path compared to unibody proposals in the pickup class. It also gets a clever 4x4 system, a low-range gearbox, a clever suspension setup, and other features that will allow its future owners to leave the comfort of asphalt behind and head into the unknown.

Despite the constant teasing and occasional spy shots, the Kia Tasman has managed to keep most aspects close to its chest. Therefore, we don't know what engine powers it, for instance. Reports speak of the 2.2L CRDi diesel shared with other Hyundais and Kias, and in the Santa Fe and Sorento, it is good for almost 200 horsepower. Rumors also speak of a possible 3.5L twin-turbo V6 gasoline unit and maybe a 3.0L V6 turbodiesel joining the lineup. Others believe it might get the Sonata N-Line's 2.5L lump, which is good for 290 horsepower.

Kia spent the last five years developing and refining the Tasman, so it should be a very interesting addition to the workhorse segment. It needs to be very darn good if it wants to steal some sales from the Toyota Hilux, Mazda BT-50, Ford Ranger, and Isuzu D-Max. Interested parties will have to wait until the first half of 2025 to get their hands on it, as that's when it will launch. Meanwhile, the official unveiling is expected to take place sometime this year.

The Kia Tasman will first touch down in South Korea before making its way to the Middle East, Africa, and Australia. This model will not go on sale in Europe and North America, and while the latter is a certainty, we have doubts about the former market.