bahrainthismonth.com | FEBRUARY 2026 MOTORING 71 First impressions are unapologetically bold. The Tasman looks like it is built for hard work, but it carries itself with the kind of style that suits a weekend at the beach as much as a muddy shortcut. On Bahrain’s mixed roads, it feels planted and predictable, with that elevated driving position giving you the classic pick-up vantage point over traffic. The 2.5L turbo GDI four-cylinder puts out 277 horsepower and 422Nm of torque, which translates into easy, no-drama pulling power when you lean into the throttle. An eight-speed automatic keeps things smooth, while paddle shifters are there if you fancy pretending you are on a rally stage between roundabouts. The X-Pro’s 4WD set-up and dual drive mode selection add to the sense that this is not just a lifestyle accessory. It is the sort of truck that encourages spontaneous detours, especially when you know there is an electronic locking differential ready to help when grip gets sketchy. Even on normal tarmac, there is a reassuring sturdiness to how it rides, helped along by its 17-inch alloy wheels and confidence-inspiring brakes. Cabin comfort, clever tech The X-Pro is the highest spec of Tasman, with four others available. That means I got to enjoy all of the bells and whistles it brings. Step inside and the vibe shifts from rugged to properly modern. The cockpit is wide and clean, with a lean, minimalist layout and a pair of 12.3-inch screens handling driver info and navigation duties. The front seats are leather, with power adjustment for the driver, lumbar support and memory, plus ventilation and heating for those rare Bahrain moments when the weather actually earns it. Which funnily enough, is right about now! The heated steering wheel, packed with audio, cruise and voice controls, makes it feel more premium than many pick-ups that still treat cabins like an afterthought. It is also loaded with the kind of practical touches that make daily life easier. There are charging points for front and rear passengers, a wireless charger, rear seat pockets and plenty of storage, including bottle-friendly door pockets. Dual-zone automatic air conditioning is joined by rear AC, which is the sort of feature your passengers will thank you for the moment the sun turns serious. There is even a 220V inverter for powering kit on the go, plus a properly useful cargo area for the bigger jobs. Safety that does the thinking The X-Pro leans hard into peace-of-mind tech, which is ideal when your day involves everything from tight car parks to busy highways. You get surround view monitoring, front, rear and side parking sensors, smart cruise control with stop and go, blind spot view monitoring and blind spot collision-avoidance assist at the rear. Lane keeping and lane following systems help take the edge off longer drives, while forward collision assist and a reverse parking collision-avoidance feature add an extra layer of reassurance when things get hectic. Trailer-minded drivers are not forgotten either, thanks to trailer stability assist and an integrated trailer brake controller. Add in ABS, ESC, hill start assist and multi-collision braking, plus multiple airbags including curtain coverage, and it feels like Kia has gone out of its way to make this pick-up as family-friendly as it is site-ready. Then there are the small-but-satisfying modern perks: smart key and push-button start, rainsensing convenience, auto light control, auto child lock and over-the-air software updates that keep it feeling fresh. For more information, visit the Bin Hindi Motors Kia Showroom in Al Eker or call 17702000 Scan to watch
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