Overview
- Competition begins with a ceremonial start and prologue in Yanbu on January 3 before 13 stages to January 17.
- Toyota debuts its GR DKR Hilux featuring a lighter tubular chassis and reinforced transmission.
- Dacia Sandriders fields Nasser Al-Attiyah and Sébastien Loeb, with Loeb partnered by co-driver Edouard Boulanger.
- Saudi titleholder Yazeed Al-Rajhi returns to defend his crown after recovering from fractured vertebrae sustained in April.
- Ford targets the top step with Carlos Sainz Sr, Mattias Ekström and Nani Roma, as rivals predict the closest field in years.