Kia Middle East and Africa has staged an exclusive desert driving event in Jordan to showcase the Tasman, its first-ever pickup truck. The experience, which spanned landscapes from Amman to Petra, highlighted the Tasman’s off-road capabilities, rugged strength and SUV-inspired comfort.
The showcase builds on the model’s global debut at the Jeddah International Motor Show in October 2024, which was followed by strong pre-booking interest across the region. Kia’s desert test drive marked the culmination of this launch phase, presenting the Tasman as a bold new entry in the pickup segment.
A journey through Jordan
Participants drove the Tasman through some of Jordan’s most demanding terrains, including the Dead Sea basin, the rose-red city of Petra, the shifting dunes of Wadi Araba, and rocky climbs near Al Bayda. The route was designed to emphasise the pickup’s adaptability, from dune navigation to steep mountain passes.
To push the vehicle to its limits, the test drive included specific challenges: a bumpy mogul descent to highlight Kia’s X-Trek system, a 30-degree side hill for lateral stability, and steep gradients to demonstrate traction and torque distribution. These obstacles reflected more than 18,000 tests carried out during the truck’s development.
“Breaking new ground”
Ahmed Soudodi, Vice President of Product and Marketing at Kia Middle East & Africa, said the Tasman represented a bold new chapter for the brand.
“With the Tasman, Kia is breaking new ground in the pickup segment. The test drive experience in Jordan demonstrates its ability to conquer the region’s toughest terrains while delivering the comfort and technology that define Kia. The Tasman empowers its owners to stand apart, transforming every drive into a statement of capability and confidence.”
Engineering and design
The Kia Tasman draws on more than 20 years of research and five decades of military vehicle expertise. With 252mm of ground clearance and a 32-degree approach angle on the X-Pro variant, the truck has been designed for extreme conditions.
It comes equipped with advanced off-road drive modes, including a Desert Mode developed specifically for Middle Eastern terrain, as well as reinforced underbody protection.
Inside, the Tasman emphasises SUV-like comfort. Its cabin features ergonomic design, generous rear legroom, and smart storage solutions. Kia’s “Opposites United” design philosophy is evident in the combination of bold exterior styling and refined interior finishes.
Appeal to new buyers
The Tasman is positioned as a disruptor in the regional pickup market. By blending rugged capability with lifestyle appeal, Kia is targeting a new generation of buyers who value individuality and performance as much as practicality.
The Jordan event reinforced Kia’s ambition to shape mobility in the Middle East while offering customers expanded choice in the pickup segment.
