In a major win for Kia’s off-road reputation, the 2025 Kia Tasman X-Pro has successfully climbed the notoriously difficult Beer O’Clock Hill at The Springs 4×4 Adventure Park in Queensland. Known for its steep gradient, loose shale and unpredictable traction, the hill has become a benchmark for testing off-road ability.
In his explicit challenge video to Kia, Lucas Bree gives us a detailed look at the 60m (200ft) climb. The first obstacle is a large puddle at the base of the climb which can clog tyres with mud. Incredibly uneven steps of roughly 1.5m (5ft) flex cross-axels and render open differentials almost unusable. Smooth rock surfaces offer little by way of traction, especially at the 50° incline!
Remarkably, the pre-production Tasman passed with flying while in near-stock condition. The only modification was a set of 33″ Mickey Thompson Baja Boss all-terrain tyres aired down to 14 PSI and wrapped around the stock 17″ alloys. No lift kits nor any underbody protection — just some grippy rubber and a very talented Lucas of Team Bree behind the wheel.
Join thousands of members!
The Kia Tasman Club is a supportive community that provides advice on modifications and accessories, organise events, and keep you up to date with the latest news and rumours. Best of all, it’s free to join!
This achievement is especially noteworthy given the mixed results from other recent entrants in the dual-cab ute market. BYD’s new Shark, despite its impressive on-road performance and tech-laden drivetrain, failed to make it anywhere near the top in a spectacular over-estimation of its off-road abilities. Meanwhile, three GWM vehicles — the Tank 300, Cannon Alpha PHEV, and Cannon XSR — all managed to conquer the climb, declaring GWM’s arrival as a serious player in the off-road space.
But it’s Kia Australia’s seemingly reluctant participation in the climb that has cemented Beer O’clock Hill as the Aussie obstacle that vehicles must overcome to be considered capable off-road. It’s a day later and there’s no mention of the Tasman’s success on any of Kia’s social media platforms.
With an electric locking rear differential, 252mm of ground clearance, and proper low-range gearing, the Tasman X-Pro’s credentials are now proven in the field. The lack of a front locker was impressively compensated for by the traction control system. A reliable 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine (154kW / 441Nm) paired to an eight-speed automatic, and multiple off-road drive modes — including dedicated terrain settings and crawl control — contributed to its success.
Watch the full video:
We hear Lucas Bree’s commentary throughout the video. Lucas explains that vehicles require a touch of momentum to make it over the first step, though this triggered the alarm for Autonomous Emergency Breaking (AEB), which then cuts the power – something Kia should ensure is disabled in the production model when off-road.
Once the power is reset, the front wheels spin freely. Lucas is able to balance the traction control in the front with the locked rear differential. Shuffling the ute laterally until the low-pressure Mickey Thompsons find grip, Lucas picks his line, and the ute manages to muscle-up and propel itself home.
Lucas was ecstatic upon reaching the peak, stating the Tasman has received Team Bree’s “seal of approval”. Upon hoisting the Tasman up in the workshop, an assessment of the underbody showed little-to-no damage, with only some minor scrapes revealing that the Tasman X-Pro had overcome more than a muddy puddle.