Category: Korean Car Models

Hyundai Porter vs Kia Bongo: Specs, Prices and License Rules

The Hyundai Porter and the Kia Bongo are two small trucks sold in Korea. Hyundai pitches the Porter for commercial business use, and its electric version for city deliveries. In Korea they’re sold as the Porter II (포터 II) and the Bongo III (봉고 III), and on paper they’re closer than their different badges suggest.

This guide compares the two as Hyundai and Kia sell them in Korea today: engines, cab types, the electric versions, prices and the license you need to drive one.

How we checked

Specs and prices come from Hyundai’s and Kia’s Korean websites, including their spec pages, Hyundai’s digital catalog and online price lists dated October 1, 2026. We checked them on October 22, 2026. The license rules come from Annex 18 of the Enforcement Rule of the Road Traffic Act (도로교통법 시행규칙).

We didn’t use figures from news reports, dealers or used-truck listings. Neither company says how the two trucks are related, so we’ve compared only what each one publishes.

The short version

Matching engines: both brands list the Smartstream LPG 2.5 turbo, a 2.5-liter turbocharged LPG (autogas) engine, with the same output and torque.
Similar fuel economy: both are rated at 6.3 to 7.0 km/L, depending on the version. Kia publishes no rating for its 1.2-ton Bongo.
Payload ratings: Kia sells the Bongo in 1-ton and 1.2-ton versions. Hyundai’s Korean pages and catalog don’t state the Porter’s payload.
Electric versions: both have one, with the same motor and range figures and near-identical battery figures.

Side by side

	Hyundai Porter II	Kia Bongo III
Korean name	포터 II	봉고 III
Engine	2.5 turbo LPG	2.5 turbo LPG
Output	159 PS automatic, 138 PS manual	159 PS automatic, 138 PS manual
Gearboxes	6-speed manual, 5-speed automatic	6-speed manual, 5-speed automatic
Cabs	Regular, super, double	Standard, king, double
Payload versions	Not stated by Hyundai	1-ton and 1.2-ton
Drive	2WD or 4WD	2WD or 4WD (1-ton only)
Official fuel economy	6.3 to 7.0 km/L	6.3 to 7.0 km/L (1-ton only)
Electric version	Porter II Electric	Bongo III EV

Both brands quote the higher output with the 5-speed automatic and the lower one with the 6-speed manual. PS is metric horsepower: 159 PS is about 157 hp and 138 PS about 136 hp, by our conversion. Both list a 75-liter LPG tank and a body width of 1,740 mm.

Matching engines, different labels

Both brands call the engine the Smartstream LPG 2.5 turbo, and Kia’s spec page also labels it 2.5 T-LPDi. The displacement (2,469 cc) and torque match: 30.0 kgf·m with the automatic and 26.0 kgf·m with the manual. That’s about 294 Nm (217 lb-ft) and 255 Nm (188 lb-ft), by our conversion.

The fuel economy ratings line up too. The best figure on both is 7.0 km/L, for a 2WD manual with a regular, super, standard or king cab. The 4WD versions are rated at 6.3 km/L. In US terms, that’s about 16.5 and 14.8 mpg by our conversion. These are government-reported test figures, and real-world economy depends on load and driving.

Because both run on LPG, you fill them at LPG stations (충전소), not regular gas pumps. Our guide to gas stations in Korea explains how to find LPG stations and their prices on Opinet.

Where they differ

Cab names. Hyundai’s three cabs are 일반캡 (regular), 슈퍼캡 (super) and 더블캡 (double). Kia’s are 표준캡 (standard), 킹캡 (king) and 더블캡 (double). On the 2WD Porter, the bed is 3,110 mm (about 10.2 ft) long with the regular cab and 2,185 mm (about 7.2 ft) with the double cab.

The 1.2-ton Bongo. Kia sells a 1.2-ton Bongo with 2WD, in standard and king cab form. Kia’s spec page says medium trucks with a maximum payload over 1 ton are exempt from Korea’s fuel economy labeling, so it shows no rating for this version. Hyundai’s Porter price list has no separate heavier version.

4WD and gearboxes. Hyundai says the automatic is offered only with 2WD, and its 4WD Porters come with the manual. Kia’s fuel economy table also lists its 4WD Bongos with the manual only.

Wheelbase names. Hyundai sells its 2WD Porters on an extra-long wheelbase (초장축) and its 4WD Porters on a long wheelbase (장축). Kia’s price list describes the 2WD Bongo as extra-long wheelbase too. Its pages label the 4WD Bongo differently in two places, so we haven’t listed a wheelbase for it.

The electric versions

The Porter II Electric and the Bongo III EV publish nearly identical figures:

135 kW motor with 395 Nm of torque
About 60 kWh battery
217 km official combined range (248 km city, 178 km highway)
About 32 minutes from 10 to 80 percent on a 150 kW fast charger
About 8 hours 30 minutes from 10 to 100 percent on a 7.2 kW charger

Kia lists the battery as 60.4 kWh. Hyundai shows 60.3 kWh on the Porter’s spec page and 60.4 kWh on its price list. Both brands note that cold weather can lengthen charging times and cut range.

The two electric trucks come in one cab each. The Porter II Electric is a super cab, and the Bongo III EV is a king cab. Our guide to EV charging in Korea covers charger types and rates.

Prices in Korea

These are list prices from Hyundai’s and Kia’s online price lists dated October 1, 2026, in Korean won. They run from the cheapest trim to the most expensive, before options.

Version	Price range (KRW)
Porter II, 2WD	21,410,000 to 25,130,000
Porter II, 4WD	23,160,000 to 26,660,000
Porter II Electric	43,500,000 to 46,450,000
Bongo III 1-ton, 2WD	20,450,000 to 24,500,000
Bongo III 1-ton, 4WD	22,500,000 to 25,950,000
Bongo III 1.2-ton, 2WD	24,550,000 to 25,700,000
Bongo III EV	43,450,000 to 46,350,000

The cheapest 1-ton Bongo starts 960,000 won below the cheapest Porter, by our calculation. Trim names and equipment differ between the brands, so compare the items in each price list rather than the totals alone. We haven’t covered EV purchase subsidies here.

Are they sold outside Korea?

Kia Brazil’s official site lists a Kia Bongo under its light commercial vehicles. When we checked on October 22, 2026, it showed a 2.5-liter turbodiesel with 4×4. That’s a different powertrain from the LPG and electric Bongos sold in Korea, even though the name is the same.

We couldn’t confirm an export name for the Porter on an official Hyundai site, so we haven’t listed one. For passenger models, our model name lookup table and our list of models missing from the US, UK and Australia cover export names. Both leave out commercial vehicles like these trucks.

Which license covers them?

Annex 18 sets out which vehicles each Korean license class can drive. A Class 2 ordinary license (제2종 보통) covers trucks with a payload of up to 4 tons. A Class 1 ordinary license (제1종 보통) covers trucks with a payload under 12 tons.

Kia sells the Bongo as 1-ton and 1.2-ton versions, both well under the 4-ton Class 2 limit. Hyundai doesn’t publish the Porter’s payload, so confirm it for the truck you’ll drive. One exception in the annex’s notes matters for trucks: carrying certain hazardous goods in a truck rated up to 3 tons or 3,000 liters requires a Class 1 ordinary license.

Visitors face a separate rule. Article 96 of the Road Traffic Act bars drivers on an international permit or a recognized foreign license from driving vehicles registered for a passenger or freight transport business. Our guide to driving in Korea on an IDP explains that limit and its rental car exception. If you’re unsure whether a truck counts, ask the police or the Korea Road Traffic Authority (도로교통공단) before you drive it.

Searching in Korean

Korean listings, reviews and owner forums use 포터 (Porter) and 봉고 (Bongo). Add 일렉트릭 for the electric Porter or EV for the electric Bongo. Cab names help narrow a search: 더블캡 for a double cab, 슈퍼캡 or 킹캡 for the extended cabs.

Last checked: October 22, 2026. Sources: Hyundai Korea Porter II page (in Korean), with its spec, price and digital catalog pages and the Porter II Electric pages (price lists dated October 1, 2026); Kia Korea Bongo III spec page (in Korean), with its price pages and the Bongo III EV pages (price lists dated October 1, 2026); Kia Brazil Bongo page (in Portuguese); Enforcement Rule of the Road Traffic Act, Annex 18, revised November 14, 2024 (Korean Law Information Center, in Korean); Road Traffic Act, Article 96 (in Korean).

October 22, 2026

2027 Hyundai Avante vs Elantra: What Korea Gets First

A new generation of the Avante, the compact sedan sold in the US as the Elantra, is on sale in Korea. Hyundai calls it the all-new Avante (디 올 뉴 아반떼), and contracts opened on August 5, 2026. In the US, Hyundai’s site still lists the 2026 Elantra, which carries over the outgoing generation.

So for now, the Avante and the Elantra aren’t just one car with two names. They’re two different generations. We compared Hyundai Korea’s catalog and price lists with Hyundai USA’s 2026 Elantra specs on October 21, 2026. Here’s what Korea has and what Hyundai hasn’t announced yet.

How we compared

All specs and prices below come from Hyundai’s official sources: Hyundai Korea’s Avante catalog and price lists, Hyundai Motor Group’s Korean press release, Hyundai USA’s Elantra spec page and Hyundai’s owner’s manual portal. We didn’t use figures from news reports.

Figures in parentheses (hp, lb-ft, inches, gallons and mpg) and the size differences are our own conversions and subtractions.

Same name, two generations right now

Hyundai calls the new car the eighth-generation Avante, a full redesign six years after the previous one. The owner’s manual portal shows the split through model codes.

Korea, 2027 Avante: CN8
Korea, 2027 Avante Hybrid: CN8KH
Korea, 2026 Avante N: CN7N
US, newest gas Elantra manual on the portal: 2023 (CN7a)

CN7 is the code for the outgoing generation. The portal has no newer gas Elantra manual, but the 2026 Elantra’s listed engine and dimensions match the outgoing car, and Hyundai hasn’t announced a new US generation. So we treat the 2026 Elantra as CN7. As we explain further down, the Avante N hasn’t moved to the new generation either.

What’s on sale in Korea

The all-new Avante comes with two powertrains, a 2.0 gas engine and a 1.6 hybrid, and three trims: Modern, Premium and Inspiration. In its August launch release, Hyundai scheduled gas deliveries to start in the third quarter of 2026. Hybrid deliveries start after the car appears in the government’s eco-friendly vehicle notice, when Hyundai will also publish its tax-reduced price.

These are Hyundai Korea’s list prices, including VAT, from the price lists for the model released August 5, 2026. Options are extra.

Trim	2.0 gas (KRW)	1.6 hybrid (KRW)
Modern	23,980,000	30,420,000
Premium	27,710,000	33,610,000
Inspiration	31,520,000	36,990,000

The hybrid prices are before tax benefits. The hybrid price list leaves the after-benefit price blank and says it will be announced after the official eco-friendly vehicle notice.

Every trim gets Hyundai’s new Pleos Connect infotainment with a 12.9-inch or 14.6-inch screen. The base Modern trim also has 10 airbags, smart cruise control with stop-and-go and Lane Following Assist 2. The Gleo AI voice assistant is standard from the Premium up and comes in an option package on the Modern.

New Avante vs the 2026 US Elantra

This table puts the Korean 2.0 gas car next to the gas Elantra on Hyundai USA’s spec page. The US figures are for the SE. The SEL Sport and SEL Sport Plus columns on the same page list the same engine and dimensions.

	Korea: all-new Avante 2.0	US: 2026 Elantra
Generation	8th (CN8)	Outgoing (CN7, see above)
Engine	2.0 gas, 1,999 cc	2.0 gas, inline 4-cylinder
Power	149 PS (147 hp) at 6,200 rpm	147 hp at 6,200 rpm
Torque	18.3 kgf·m (132 lb-ft) at 4,500 rpm	132 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm
Transmission	IVT	IVT
Length	4,765 mm (187.6 in)	185.4 in
Width	1,855 mm (73.0 in)	71.9 in
Height	1,425 mm (56.1 in)	55.7 in
Wheelbase	2,750 mm (108.3 in)	107.1 in
Fuel tank	47 L (12.4 gal)	12.4 gal
Base screen	12.9-inch Pleos Connect	8-inch touchscreen (SE)
Starting price	23,980,000 won	$22,825 MSRP

Hyundai Korea calls the 2.0 more powerful than the engine in the previous Korean Avante, but against the US car the listed output is the same once you convert the units. What grew is the body. By our subtraction, the new gas Avante is about 56 mm (2.2 in) longer, 29 mm wider, 10 mm taller and has a 30 mm longer wheelbase than the 2026 Elantra.

We haven’t converted the prices. Korean list prices include VAT, while US MSRPs exclude freight, taxes and fees, so an exchange-rate comparison would mislead more than it helps.

The official Korean combined rating for the gas car is 14.3 km/L on 16-inch wheels, or about 33.6 mpg US. The US EPA figure for the SE is 35 mpg combined, but the two tests are run differently, so the gap doesn’t tell you which car is thriftier. Our Kia K8 guide has a converter if you want to turn other Korean km/L ratings into mpg.

The hybrid

The Avante Hybrid pairs a 1.6 gas engine (105 PS) with a 45 kW motor, for a system output of 157 PS (155 hp), through a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It stands 1,430 mm tall, 5 mm more than the gas car. Its official Korean combined rating is 21.2 km/L on 17-inch wheels, about 49.9 mpg US, and 19.9 km/L on 18-inch wheels.

Hyundai also lists a stay mode, which runs the climate and infotainment on battery power while the car is stopped and the engine is off. We didn’t check the US Elantra Hybrid’s spec page for this guide, so we haven’t compared the two hybrids.

What Hyundai hasn’t said yet

US timing and specs. On October 21, 2026, Hyundai USA’s site listed only the 2026 Elantra. We didn’t find US specs, prices or a launch date for the new generation on Hyundai’s official pages. Until Hyundai publishes one, treat any date you see as a guess.

The Avante N. Hyundai Korea still sells the Avante N on its own page, from 33,560,000 won. Its newest manual is the 2026 model with the CN7N code, so it’s still based on the previous generation. We found no official announcement of an N version of the new car.

Reading Korean Avante listings

Korean dealers and used-car sites write the name as 아반떼. “디 올 뉴 아반떼” (The All-New Avante) is Hyundai’s name for the eighth generation. Older Avantes carry other prefixes, and our Hyundai and Kia name lookup table explains how those prefixes work.

The quickest check on a used listing is the date. Contracts for the new car opened on August 5, 2026, so an Avante first registered before then is the previous generation. One registered after that date could be either, since the Avante N, still on the previous generation, is sold alongside it. In that case, look at the car itself. The new one has Hyundai’s Art of Steel design and what Hyundai calls H-edge lighting at the front.

The Avante isn’t the only Hyundai sedan known by another name abroad. Our Grandeur vs Azera guide covers the larger sedan that Hyundai’s global site lists as the Azera.

Where to check the current specs

Hyundai updates its price lists, so check these pages before relying on a figure:

Korea: Hyundai all-new Avante (in Korean, with the price list and catalog linked from the page)
Korea: Hyundai Avante N (in Korean)
Korea: Hyundai Motor Group press release on the Avante launch (in Korean)
US: Hyundai USA 2026 Elantra specs
Model codes: Hyundai owner’s manual portal

Last checked: October 21, 2026. Sources: Hyundai Korea all-new Avante catalog and price lists for the gas and hybrid models (model released August 5, 2026), Hyundai Korea Avante N page, Hyundai Motor Group press release of August 5, 2026, Hyundai USA 2026 Elantra specifications, Hyundai owner’s manual portal (Korea and US).

October 21, 2026

Kia Picanto vs Morning: How the Korean Version Differs

In Korea, the car Kia sells as the Picanto in the UK and Australia is called the Morning (모닝). The name is only the first difference. On Kia’s own pages, the Korean car has a different power figure from the UK car, a smaller engine than the Australian car and no manual gearbox. It also comes as a van.

We compared Kia Korea’s 2027 Morning pages with Kia UK’s Picanto pages and Kia Australia’s 2027 Picanto page on October 20, 2026. Here’s what each one lists.

How we compared

We used Kia’s official pages: Kia Korea’s Morning spec and price pages, Kia UK’s Picanto overview and specification pages, Kia Australia’s Picanto features page and Kia’s US vehicle lineup. A dash in the tables means the page we checked didn’t show that figure. It doesn’t mean the figure doesn’t exist.

Figures in parentheses (hp, Nm and inches), the PS equivalent of the UK power figure and the mpg figure are our own conversions.

Morning vs Picanto at a glance

	Korea: Morning	UK: Picanto	Australia: Picanto
Engine	1.0 gas, 998 cc	1.0 GDI gas, 998 cc	1.2 MPI gas
Power	76 PS (75 hp) at 6,200 rpm	68 bhp at 6,000 rpm	–
Torque	9.7 kgf·m (95 Nm) at 3,750 rpm	96 Nm at 4,000 rpm	–
Gearbox	4-speed automatic only	5-speed manual or 5-speed automated manual (AMT)	5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic
Length	3,595 mm (141.5 in)	3,605 mm (141.9 in), from the GT-Line dimension drawing	–
Body	Passenger car and 2-seat van	5-seat passenger car	5-seat passenger car
Trims	Trendy, Prestige, Signature, GT-Line (van: Trendy, Prestige)	Pure, GT-Line, GT-Line S	Sport, GT-Line

Kia UK labels its engine “1.0 GDI (67bhp)”, but its drivetrain table gives 68 bhp. We’ve used the table figure. Width (1,595 mm), height (1,485 mm) and wheelbase (2,400 mm) match between the Korean spec page and the UK drawing.

Korea’s official combined fuel economy for the Morning is 14.7 km/L, about 34.6 mpg US. Kia Korea notes that this is a standard-test figure and that real-world economy varies. Test methods differ by country, so we haven’t set it against UK or Australian figures.

Three spec differences

1. Power from the same displacement

Both the Korean and UK cars use a 998 cc engine. Korea lists 76 PS, while the UK lists 68 bhp, which is about 69 PS. Torque is almost the same, at about 95 Nm in Korea and 96 Nm in the UK.

Kia doesn’t explain the gap on either page, so we haven’t guessed at a reason. Australia goes a different way altogether, with a 1.2-liter MPI engine. Kia Australia also says the car was tuned for Australian roads.

2. No manual in Korea

Kia Korea’s spec page lists one gearbox, a 4-speed automatic, and the price list shows no manual option. The UK offers a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT, and Australia offers a 5-speed manual on the Sport grade, with a 4-speed automatic available on both grades.

If you drive a manual Picanto at home, expect an automatic if you buy a new Morning in Korea.

3. Ten millimeters of length

Kia Korea lists the Morning at 3,595 mm. The dimension drawing on Kia UK’s spec page, shown on a GT-Line, gives 3,605 mm.

The gap is small, but it falls on either side of a Korean limit. The light-car class (경형) caps length at 3.6 meters, and Kia Korea lists the Morning in that class. By our own subtraction, the Korean figure is 5 mm under the cap and the UK figure is 5 mm over. Kia doesn’t say why the figures differ. Our Kia Ray guide sets out the full light-car limits and how the Ray, Morning and Casper fit them.

The Morning van

Kia Korea’s price list has a separate tab for the Morning van, labeled 1.0 가솔린(밴) (1.0 gas van), and the spec page lists it as a 2-seat version. It comes in two trims, Trendy and Prestige.

Neither the UK nor the Australian page we checked shows a van version of the Picanto.

Morning prices in Korea

These are Kia Korea’s list prices by trim, dated October 1, 2026. Options are priced separately on the same page.

Version	Trim	Price (KRW)
Passenger car	Trendy	14,210,000
Passenger car	Prestige	16,010,000
Passenger car	Signature	18,160,000
Passenger car	GT-Line	19,110,000
Van	Trendy	13,860,000
Van	Prestige	14,510,000

On the Prestige passenger trim and the trims above it, the price list includes a Hi-Pass toll payment unit. Kia notes that the unit doesn’t apply toll discounts on its own, and that discounts need a separate registration. Our guide to Korean highway tolls and Hi-Pass explains how the system works.

Is the Picanto sold in the US?

Neither the Picanto nor the Morning was listed on Kia’s US vehicle lineup on October 20, 2026. That doesn’t mean the car can’t be found there, and the page doesn’t say why it’s missing.

Our list of Hyundai and Kia models missing from the US, UK and Australia covers Korean-market cars you won’t find on any of those three lineups.

Searching for a Morning in Korean

Korean listings and reviews use 모닝, not Picanto. Some add a prefix such as 더 뉴 (The New), which usually marks a facelift rather than a different car.

The Hyundai and Kia name lookup table pairs current Korean model names with their US and UK names where they exist, and its search box accepts Hangul.

Where to check the current specs

Kia’s figures can change between model years, so check these pages before relying on one:

Korea: Kia Morning specifications and prices (in Korean)
UK: Kia Picanto specification
Australia: Kia Picanto features
US: Kia US vehicle lineup

Last checked: October 20, 2026. Sources: Kia Korea Morning specification and price pages (prices as of October 1, 2026), Kia UK Picanto overview and specification pages, Kia Australia 2027 Picanto features page, Kia US vehicle lineup. Light-car limits from the Enforcement Rules of the Motor Vehicle Management Act, Annex 1 (checked October 9, 2026, for our Kia Ray guide).

October 20, 2026

Kia Tasman in Korea: Gasoline Engine, Price, and How It Differs

In Korea, the Kia Tasman pickup comes with one engine: a 2.5-liter turbo gasoline four. In Australia, Kia’s official Tasman page describes it with a 2.2-liter turbo diesel. Both are sold as the Tasman, but with different engines.

We checked Kia’s Korean and Australian Tasman pages, plus Kia’s global launch release, on October 19, 2026. This guide covers what the Korean version has, what it costs in Korea, and where it differs from the truck Australians know.

The short answer

Korea: 2.5 turbo gasoline only, 281 PS, 8-speed automatic, 2WD or 4WD.
Australia: 2.2 turbo diesel, 154 kW and 440 Nm on Kia Australia’s page. We found no gasoline version there.
Middle East and Africa: Kia’s launch release says these markets get the 2.5 gasoline or the 2.2 diesel, depending on the country, with a 6-speed manual offered on the diesel in some.
US and UK: the Tasman is not listed on Kia’s US or UK lineup pages.

Kia doesn’t say why each market gets the engine it does.

Korea vs Australia at a glance

Korean figures come from Kia Korea’s spec, price and features pages for The 2027 Tasman. Australian figures come from Kia Australia’s page for the 2026 Tasman double cab pickup, which Kia Australia calls the Dual Cab Pick-up. Unit conversions marked “about” are our own.

	Korea	Australia
Engine	2.5 turbo gasoline, 2,497 cc	2.2 turbo diesel
Power	281 PS (about 277 hp)	154 kW (about 207 hp)
Torque	43.0 kgf·m (about 422 Nm / 311 lb-ft)	440 Nm (about 325 lb-ft)
Transmission	8-speed automatic	Automatic (8-speed, per Kia’s global release)
Drive	2WD or 4WD; X-Pro listed with 4WD only	S grade in 4×2 or 4×4; other grades 4×4
Max towing	3,500 kg (about 7,716 lb)	3,500 kg braked (about 7,716 lb)
Payload	700 kg (about 1,543 lb), 2WD figure	Up to 1,000 kg (about 2,205 lb)
Trims	Dynamic, Adventure, Best Selection, Extreme, X-Pro	S, SX, SX+, X-Line, X-Pro

The payload figures aren’t a like-for-like comparison. Kia Korea gives 700 kg as the 2WD figure, while Kia Australia gives “up to” 1,000 kg across its range. Neither page explains the gap.

The Korean Tasman’s engine and size

Kia Korea’s spec page lists a single powertrain, 가솔린 2.5 터보 (gasoline 2.5 turbo). It makes 281 PS and 43.0 kgf·m from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm, through an eight-speed automatic.

Kia’s global launch release lists the Korean engine at 281 PS and 421 Nm, which matches the kgf·m figure. At that October 2024 launch, Kia quoted 0–100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and a 185 km/h top speed for the Korean model.

The Korean truck is 5,410 mm long (about 213.0 in) and 1,930 mm wide (about 76.0 in). It stands 1,870 mm high (about 73.6 in), or 1,920 mm (about 75.6 in) for the X-Pro, on a 3,270 mm wheelbase (about 128.7 in).

Suspension is double wishbone at the front and a rigid axle at the rear. Kia lists 265/65R17 and 265/60R18 tires for the other trims and 265/70R17 for the X-Pro.

Korean trims and prices

Kia Korea’s price list for The 2027 Tasman is dated October 1, 2026. These are starting prices in Korean won:

Trim	Korean	Starting price	4WD
Dynamic	다이내믹	₩35,000,000	₩2,650,000 option
Adventure	어드벤처	₩41,200,000	₩2,650,000 option
Best Selection	베스트 셀렉션	₩43,500,000	Standard
Extreme	익스트림	₩45,050,000	₩2,650,000 option
X-Pro	X-Pro	₩52,550,000	Standard

Best Selection is built on the Adventure. Kia adds electronic 4WD (전자식 4WD), terrain modes and a locking differential, plus extra parking and camera features.

Kia Korea also lists a separate model, 타스만 오픈베드 (Tasman Open Bed), in its taxi, bus and commercial section. Its photos show a single-row cab with a flat load deck, and it starts at ₩33,990,000.

Comparing prices with Australia

We haven’t converted the won prices into dollars, because a straight exchange-rate figure would mislead. The Korean and Australian trucks have different engines, trim lineups and taxes.

Kia Australia’s build-and-price tool shows drive-away prices only after you enter a postcode. It also says its estimates cover 2025 build vehicles, and that buyers should ask a dealer about 2026 builds. For an Australian price, use that tool or a local dealer.

Trim names don’t line up

Korea and Australia each list five trims, and only X-Pro appears in both. In Korea it’s the top trim.

Kia doesn’t publish a match between Korean trims like Extreme and Australian grades like SX+. Features differ by market, so check the equipment list rather than assuming two trims are the same.

Kia’s October 2024 launch release named a base double cab, an X-Line and an X-Pro. Australia’s current list includes an X-Line; Korea’s doesn’t.

Fuel economy of the Korean Tasman

Korea’s official ratings use the Korean government’s test procedure, so they aren’t directly comparable with EPA or WLTP figures. Combined ratings for the standard versions without a built-in dashcam:

Version (17-inch wheels)	Combined	Our conversions
2WD	8.6 km/L	about 20.2 US mpg / 11.6 L/100km
4WD	8.1 km/L	about 19.1 US mpg / 12.3 L/100km
X-Pro 4WD	7.7 km/L	about 18.1 US mpg / 13.0 L/100km

Kia Korea lists lower ratings for trucks with the built-in dashcam or a customizing package. Trucks with the Single Decker or Double Decker package are classed as special-purpose vehicles and have no official rating.

Is the Tasman sold in the US or UK?

It isn’t listed. On October 19, 2026, the Tasman didn’t appear on Kia’s US vehicles page or its UK new-car range. That tells you what those pages show today, not what Kia might do later.

The Tasman also showed up as a “close call” in our list of Hyundai and Kia models missing from the US, UK and Australian lineups, because it’s listed in Australia. For another Korea-vs-Australia split, see our Hyundai Staria guide.

Searching for the Korean version

Korean listings and reviews use 타스만 for the Tasman. A listing for 타스만 오픈베드 is the separate Open Bed commercial model, not the standard pickup.

Korean trim names appear in Korean too, such as 다이내믹 or 익스트림. Our Hyundai and Kia name lookup table covers the rest of both lineups.

Last checked: October 19, 2026. Sources: Kia Korea, The 2027 Tasman specifications, prices and features, and Tasman Open Bed (in Korean); Kia Australia, Tasman and Build & Price; Kia Worldwide, Tasman launch release (October 2024); Kia US vehicles; Kia UK new cars. Unit conversions (hp, Nm, lb-ft, lb, in, mpg, L/100km) are our own.

October 19, 2026

Kia K8: The Big Sedan That Follows the Cadenza in Korea

In Korea, Kia’s large sedan isn’t called the Cadenza or the K7. It’s the K8, a name Kia introduced in 2021 for a car built on the K7’s success.

The K8 is on Kia’s Korean lineup but not on its US, UK or Australian ones. This guide covers where the name came from, how big the car is, its four powertrains, its official Korean fuel economy and what it costs in Korea.

The short answer

What it is: a large sedan, 5,050 mm (198.8 in) long, sold in Korea as The 2027 K8.
Cadenza link: Kia’s 2021 launch release calls the K8 a new name that builds on the K7, known as the Cadenza in some markets.
Powertrains: 2.5 gas, 3.5 gas (with an AWD version), 3.5 LPG and 1.6 turbo hybrid.
Where it’s listed: Korea. Not listed on Kia’s US, UK or Australian lineups when we checked on October 17, 2026.

From K7 and Cadenza to K8

In February 2021, Kia announced the K8 as the first sedan to wear its new logo. The release describes the K8 as a new model name for Kia. It also says the K8 builds on the success of the K7, which it notes was known as the Cadenza in some markets.

By length, the K8 sits between the K5 and the K9 in Kia’s Korean lineup.

We didn’t find a reason in Kia’s materials for the K8’s absence from the US, UK and Australian lineups. It’s one of five models in our list of Hyundai and Kia models missing from the US, UK and Australian lineups. That guide explains how we checked each market.

How big is the K8?

The easiest way to place it is next to Kia’s other Korean sedans. Of the three, only the K5 is also on Kia’s US lineup.

Sedan	Length	Wheelbase	Powertrains in Korea	Starting price in Korea
K5	4,905 mm (193.1 in)	2,850 mm (112.2 in)	1.6 turbo gas, 2.0 gas, 2.0 LPG, 2.0 hybrid	KRW 27,630,000
K8	5,050 mm (198.8 in)	2,895 mm (114.0 in)	2.5 gas, 3.5 gas, 3.5 LPG, 1.6 turbo hybrid	KRW 37,310,000
K9	5,140 mm (202.4 in)	3,105 mm (122.2 in)	3.8 gas, 3.3 turbo gas	KRW 60,340,000

Sizes and powertrains are from Kia Korea’s spec pages for The 2027 K5, The 2027 K8 and The 2026 K9. Starting prices are the “from” prices shown on the same pages, each for the trim that page names. Inch figures are our own conversions.

The K8 is 1,880 mm (74.0 in) wide and 1,455 mm (57.3 in) tall on 17- to 19-inch wheels, or 1,480 mm (58.3 in) on 20-inch wheels. It’s 145 mm longer than the K5 and 90 mm shorter than the K9, by our subtraction.

The four K8 powertrains

Kia Korea’s spec page for The 2027 K8 lists these outputs. Kia gives power in PS and torque in kgf·m. The hp and Nm figures in brackets are our conversions.

Powertrain	Engine size	Max power	Max torque	Transmission
2.5 gas	2,497 cc	198 PS (195 hp)	25.3 kgf·m (248 Nm)	8-speed automatic
3.5 gas	3,470 cc	300 PS (296 hp)	36.6 kgf·m (359 Nm)	8-speed automatic (AWD version available)
3.5 LPG	3,470 cc	240 PS (237 hp)	32.0 kgf·m (314 Nm)	8-speed automatic
1.6 turbo hybrid	1,598 cc	Electric motor 47.7 kW	27.0 kgf·m (265 Nm) engine, 264 Nm motor	6-speed automatic

For the hybrid, the spec page lists the motor’s output but not a combined system output, so we haven’t given one. AWD appears only with the 3.5 gas engine in the fuel economy listings.

The mix of engines will look familiar if you know Hyundai’s Korean lineup. The Grandeur is also offered with 2.5 and 3.5 gas, 3.5 LPG and a 1.6 turbo hybrid with a 47.7 kW motor, according to Hyundai Korea’s price lists. Our guide to what happened to the Hyundai Azera covers that car.

Official fuel economy in Korea

Kia lists each version’s government-reported fuel economy (정부 신고 연비) in km/L, split by wheel size. Bigger wheels come with the same or lower figures. Here are the combined figures for the smallest and largest wheel each version is listed with. Kia also lists city and highway figures, which the converter below shows.

Version	Wheel sizes listed	Combined, km/L
2.5 gas	17 to 20 in	12.0 to 11.3
3.5 gas	18 to 20 in	10.1 to 9.9
3.5 gas AWD	18 to 20 in	9.1 to 9.0
3.5 LPG	17 to 18 in	8.0 to 7.8
1.6 turbo hybrid	17 to 19 in	18.1 to 16.1

Kia notes that these come from a standard test mode and that real-world economy varies with road conditions, driving style, load, maintenance and outside temperature. They aren’t EPA or WLTP figures, so don’t compare them directly with a US window sticker or a UK brochure.

Kia also lists an 18-inch hybrid with its built-in dashcam (빌트인 캠) fitted, at 16.7 km/L combined. That’s inside the range above, and the converter includes it.

The LPG figure is per liter of LPG, not gasoline, so it isn’t directly comparable with the others.

K8 fuel economy converter

Pick a version and wheel size to see Kia’s official Korean figures in US mpg, UK mpg and L/100 km. Or type in any km/L figure.

K8 version

Wheel size

km/L

Figures from Kia Korea’s specification page for The 2027 K8 (government-reported fuel economy, standard test mode). Last checked October 17, 2026. mpg and L/100 km are our unit conversions, not EPA or WLTP ratings.

The LPG K8

The 3.5 LPG runs on liquefied petroleum gas instead of gasoline, from the same 3,470 cc engine size as the 3.5 gas. Who can register an LPG car, and how LPG is taxed, are separate questions this guide doesn’t cover.

Kia Korea also lists a separate K8 Taxi in its taxi section. That’s a different listing from the regular K8 covered here.

What the K8 costs in Korea

On October 17, 2026, Kia Korea’s K8 page showed a starting price of KRW 37,310,000. That’s for the 2.5 gas in its Noblesse Light (노블레스 라이트) trim. Prices for other trims and powertrains are in Kia’s Korean price list.

Prices and trims can change, so check the current price list (under the 승용, passenger car, tab) rather than relying on this figure. We haven’t converted it to dollars or pounds, since exchange rates move.

Searching for a K8 in Korean

The K8 needs no translation: it’s written K8 in Korean too. Kia Korea’s own pages call the current car The 2027 K8. For the older car, search K7, its name in Korea, rather than Cadenza.

If you only know a car’s US or UK name, our Hyundai and Kia name lookup table lets you type it in and find the Korean name.

Where to check

Korean specs and prices: Kia Korea K8 specifications and Kia Korea catalog and price lists (in Korean)
The name history: Kia’s February 2021 K8 announcement on Kia’s global newsroom
Other markets: Kia US vehicles, Kia UK new cars and Kia Australia

Last checked: October 17, 2026. Sources: Kia Korea specification pages for The 2027 K8, The 2027 K5 and The 2026 K9 (sizes, powertrains, fuel economy, starting prices); Kia’s global newsroom release on the K8, February 2021; Kia vehicle lineup pages for the US, UK and Australia. Grandeur powertrains are from Hyundai Korea’s price lists (checked October 11, 2026). Inch, hp, Nm, mpg and L/100 km figures are our own conversions.

October 17, 2026

Hyundai Staria Explained: Korean Versions vs Australia and the UK

In Korea, the Hyundai Staria (스타리아) comes as a people mover with up to 11 seats or as a cargo van, with LPG, hybrid or electric power. Australia’s Staria page lists diesel, which Korea’s lineup doesn’t, and tops out at eight seats. The UK is waiting on an electric version, and the US lineup doesn’t list the Staria at all.

We checked Hyundai’s Korean, Australian, UK and US pages on October 15, 2026. This guide sets out what each market lists, and what the Korean version names mean when you read Korean listings.

The Staria in Korea at a glance

Hyundai Korea sells the current Staria as 더 뉴 스타리아 (The New Staria), with each powertrain on its own model page. Prices are the starting figures those pages show, before options.

Model	Powertrain	Tourer	Cargo	From
The New Staria	3.5 LPG, 240 PS, 8-speed auto	11 seats	3 or 5 seats	KRW 32,590,000
Staria Hybrid	1.6 turbo hybrid, 245 PS system output, 6-speed auto	9 or 11 seats	2 or 5 seats	KRW 36,250,000
Staria Electric	84.0 kWh battery, 160 kW motor	11 seats	3 or 5 seats	KRW 57,920,000

All three pages list the same exterior dimensions: 5,255 mm (206.9 in) long and 1,995 mm (78.5 in) wide, with a 3,275 mm (128.9 in) wheelbase. The Tourer is 1,990 mm (78.3 in) tall and the Cargo 2,000 mm (78.7 in). Inch figures are our own conversions.

Hyundai Korea lists combined ratings of 6.7 km/L for the 11-seat LPG Tourer and 12.7 km/L for the Hybrid Tourer, for versions without the built-in dash cam. These are figures reported to the Korean government, so don’t compare them directly with US EPA or UK ratings. Hyundai Korea’s catalog doesn’t list a diesel Staria.

Tourer vs Cargo

Tourer (투어러) is the passenger version, and Cargo (카고) is the van. The Hybrid Tourer comes with 9 or 11 seats, while the LPG and Electric pages list an 11-seat Tourer. The Cargo comes with two, three or five seats, and Hyundai pitches the 5-seat version for carrying people as well as goods.

They differ underneath, too. Hyundai Korea lists multi-link rear suspension for the Staria, with a rigid rear axle on the Cargo.

Hyundai Korea also shows purpose-built versions. The LPG model page includes a wheelchair-lift van, and the Hybrid page includes an ambulance and a more heavily equipped special ambulance.

Lounge and other versions in Hyundai’s Korean catalog

Hyundai Korea’s catalog and price list page lists more Staria versions than the three main models. Under its MPV heading are Lounge (라운지), Limousine (리무진) and Kinder (킨더) versions. A Lounge Electric is listed in the page’s EV section, and Limousine Electric and Lounge Mobility versions also appear on the page.

We only checked the Lounge in detail. Its model page shows the 3.5 LPG engine and a 7-seat layout, from KRW 47,720,000. We haven’t checked what the Limousine, Kinder or Lounge Mobility versions include.

Why 9 and 11 seats matter in Korea

Korea’s expressway bus lanes aren’t only for buses. Under the Road Traffic Act Enforcement Decree, a passenger car or van with 9 or more seats can use an expressway bus lane. If it’s a passenger car or a van with 12 seats or fewer, it also needs at least six people on board.

That means a 9- or 11-seat Staria Tourer qualifies when six or more people are riding. A Cargo van, or the 7-seat Lounge we checked, doesn’t meet the seat count.

The Staria in Australia, the UK and the US

Australia: Hyundai Australia lists the Staria, Staria Lounge and Staria Load van, plus Load Hybrid and Load Electric. Its Staria page lists petrol, diesel and hybrid drivetrains, with 7 seats (Lounge only) or 8 seats.
UK: Hyundai UK’s model page marks the Staria “Coming soon,” and the tile leads to a Staria Electric page. That page lists an 84 kWh battery, up to 248 miles of range and a choice of 7 or 9 seats, including a Luxury 7-seater. It also notes that UK specification may vary.
US: Hyundai USA’s vehicle lineup doesn’t list the Staria.

Of the four markets’ pages, only Korea’s show an 11-seat Staria or an LPG engine. Only Australia’s Staria page lists diesel. Because Australia sells it, the Staria just missed our list of Hyundai and Kia models missing from all three lineups.

Range figures don’t line up across markets. Hyundai Korea says its range figures are based on government-certified values, and the 11-seat Tourer Electric is rated at 371 km (about 230 mi). We couldn’t see the footnote behind Hyundai UK’s 248-mile figure, so we haven’t compared the two.

Searching Korean listings for a Staria

These are the terms Hyundai Korea uses on its Staria pages:

스타리아: Staria
투어러 / 카고: Tourer / Cargo
라운지: Lounge
하이브리드 / 일렉트릭: Hybrid / Electric
9인승 / 11인승: 9-seat / 11-seat (인승 means “seats”)

Hyundai Korea also puts 더 뉴 (The New) in front of the name. Our guide to Hyundai and Kia models missing abroad explains what Korean prefixes like this usually mark.

Where to check

Versions, seats and prices can change between model years, so check the official pages before relying on this guide:

Korea: Hyundai’s The New Staria, Staria Hybrid and Staria Electric and Staria Lounge pages, and its catalog and price lists (all in Korean)
Australia: Hyundai Australia Staria and the full Australian range
UK: Hyundai UK models and the Staria Electric page
US: Hyundai USA vehicles
Bus lane rule: Road Traffic Act Enforcement Decree on Korea’s National Law Information Center, Appended Table 1 (in Korean)

Last checked: October 15, 2026. Sources: Hyundai Korea’s The New Staria, Staria Hybrid, Staria Electric and Staria Lounge model pages and its catalog and price list page; the Hyundai Australia, Hyundai UK and Hyundai USA lineup pages, the Hyundai Australia Staria page and the Hyundai UK Staria Electric page; and the Road Traffic Act Enforcement Decree, Appended Table 1.

October 15, 2026

Hyundai and Kia Models Missing From the US, UK and Australian Lineups

Grandeur, Casper, Ray, K8 and K9 are everyday names in Korea. You won’t find any of them on Hyundai’s or Kia’s US, UK or Australian lineup pages.

We compared both brands’ current Korean lineups, leaving out commercial models, with their official US, UK and Australian lineups on October 14, 2026. This guide covers the five models that appear in Korea but on none of the other three, and what each one is.

How we decided what counts

A model made this list only if it was not listed on all three of these pages: the brand’s US vehicle lineup, its UK model range and its Australian model range. “Not listed” means just that. It doesn’t mean the car is sold nowhere else. We only checked these three markets.

We left out Genesis, which is a separate brand, along with taxis and commercial trucks and vans such as the Porter, Bongo, ST1 and PV5. The Staria and the Tasman stayed in the check, because Hyundai and Kia list them among their regular Korean models.

Cars that only change their name abroad, like the Avante (Elantra in the US) or the Morning (Picanto in the UK), aren’t on this list either. Our Hyundai and Kia name lookup table pairs those up.

Hyundai and Kia don’t publish reasons for leaving a model out of a market, so we haven’t guessed at any.

The list at a glance

Powertrains and sizes come from each brand’s Korean spec pages and price lists. Inch figures are our own conversions.

Model	Korean	Type and length	Powertrains in Korea
Hyundai Grandeur	그랜저	Sedan	2.5 gas, 3.5 gas, 3.5 LPG, 1.6 turbo hybrid
Hyundai Casper	캐스퍼	Small car, 3,595 mm	1.0 gas, 1.0 turbo
Kia Ray / Ray EV	레이	Light car, 3,595 mm	1.0 gas, electric (35.2 kWh)
Kia K8	K8	Sedan, 5,050 mm	2.5 gas, 3.5 gas, 3.5 LPG, 1.6 turbo hybrid
Kia K9	K9	Sedan, 5,140 mm	3.8 gas, 3.3 turbo gas

Two patterns stand out. Three of the five are sedans, and the other two are small cars sized for Korea’s light-car class. The Grandeur and the K8 are also both offered with an LPG engine in Korea.

Hyundai Grandeur

The Grandeur (그랜저) is sold in Korea as 더 뉴 그랜저 (The New Grandeur), with a separate hybrid model. Hyundai’s Korean price lists show 2.5 and 3.5 gas engines, a 3.5 LPG engine and a 1.6 turbo hybrid.

Hyundai’s global site says the Azera is badged as the Grandeur in some markets, including Korea. We sort out the two names in what happened to the Hyundai Azera.

Hyundai Casper

The Casper (캐스퍼) is a small car, 3,595 mm (141.5 in) long, sold through Hyundai’s separate Casper online store. Its Korean spec page for the 2027 model lists a 1.0 gas engine with 76 PS and a 1.0 turbo with 100 PS, and there’s also a van version.

By its listed size and engine, the gas Casper fits within the same light-car limits as the Kia Ray. Our Ray guide below sets out those limits.

Don’t confuse it with the Casper Electric. That’s a longer car with its own spec page, and it’s on Hyundai’s UK and Australian lineups as the Inster. Our Inster vs Casper Electric comparison shows how the versions differ by market.

Kia Ray and Ray EV

The Ray (레이) is a tall, boxy car that Kia lists in Korea’s light-car class. It’s 3,595 mm (141.5 in) long and 1,700 mm (66.9 in) high. It comes with a 1.0 gas engine or as the Ray EV with a 35.2 kWh battery, in passenger and van versions.

Our Kia Ray guide covers the light-car rules, the EV’s official range and how the Ray compares with the Morning and Casper.

Kia K8

The K8 is a large sedan, 5,050 mm (198.8 in) long on a 2,895 mm wheelbase. Kia’s Korean spec page for the 2027 K8 lists four powertrains:

2.5 gas: 198 PS, 8-speed automatic
3.5 gas: 300 PS, 8-speed automatic, with an AWD version
3.5 LPG: 240 PS, 8-speed automatic
1.6 turbo hybrid: 47.7 kW electric motor, 6-speed automatic

Kia K9

The K9 is the longest car on this list, at 5,140 mm (202.4 in), and it’s 1,915 mm wide on a 3,105 mm wheelbase. Kia’s spec page for the 2026 K9 lists two gas engines, a 3.8 with 315 PS and a 3.3 turbo with 370 PS, and no hybrid, LPG or electric version.

Close calls: models that appear in at least one market

These examples are on the Korean lineup and missing from one or two of the three markets, but listed in at least one:

Hyundai Staria: listed in Australia, including people mover and Load van versions. Not on the US lineup, and marked “Coming soon” on the UK page.
Kia Tasman: the pickup is listed in Australia in three body styles, but not in the US or UK.
Hyundai Nexo: the hydrogen SUV is listed in the UK, but not in the US or Australia.
Kia K5: listed in the US, but not in the UK or Australia.

Without Australia in the check, the Staria and the Tasman would both have made the main list.

Searching for these cars in Korean

Korean reviews, forums and used-car listings use the Korean names in the table above. For the Grandeur, search 그랜저, not Azera. For the Casper, check whether a listing says 캐스퍼 or 캐스퍼 일렉트릭, since those are different cars.

Korean listings often add a prefix such as 더 뉴 (The New) or 디 올 뉴 (The All-New). These usually mark a facelift or a new generation, not a different model. Drop the prefix and search the model name.

The name lookup table also has a search box. Type a Korean name in English or Hangul, or a US or UK name, and it finds the matching row.

Where to check the current lineups

Lineups change with every model year, so check the official pages before relying on this list:

Korea: Hyundai catalog and price lists, the Hyundai Casper online store and Kia catalog and price lists (all in Korean)
US: Hyundai USA vehicles and Kia US vehicles
UK: Hyundai UK models and Kia UK new cars
Australia: Hyundai Australia cars and Kia Australia (the full range is under the Vehicle menu)

Last checked: October 14, 2026, for the lineups and the Casper, K8 and K9 spec pages. Grandeur powertrains and the Azera note are from Hyundai Korea’s price lists and Hyundai’s global site (checked October 11, 2026). Ray figures and the light-car limits are from Kia Korea’s Ray and Ray EV spec pages and the Motor Vehicle Management Act enforcement rules (checked October 9, 2026). Sources: Hyundai Korea and Kia Korea catalog and price list pages, Hyundai Casper online store specification page, Kia Korea K8 and K9 specification pages, and the Hyundai and Kia vehicle lineup pages for the US, UK and Australia.

October 14, 2026

What Happened to the Hyundai Azera? It’s Still Sold in Korea as the Grandeur

If you remember the Hyundai Azera from US showrooms, you may have assumed it was discontinued. It isn’t gone. Hyundai still lists it in its global lineup, and in Korea the same car sells as the Grandeur (그랜저).

This guide sorts out the two names using Hyundai’s own websites: its global vehicle history, its global model pages, its Korean price lists, and its current US and UK lineups.

The short answer

Same car, two names. Hyundai’s global site says the Azera is badged as the Grandeur in some markets, including Korea.
Still current. Hyundai’s global lineup lists the Azera among its sedans and the Azera Hybrid among its hybrids.
Not in the US or UK. Neither name appears on Hyundai’s US or UK model pages as of October 11, 2026.
In Korea, it’s the Grandeur. Hyundai Korea sells it with gasoline, LPG and hybrid powertrains.

One model line since 1986

Hyundai’s global vehicle history page lists the car as AZERA, 1986 onward, and notes it is also known as the Grandeur in selected countries. The Korean-language version of the page calls it 그랜저, with the same 1986 start date.

So Hyundai treats the Grandeur and the Azera as one continuous model line. Its history page picks out a few milestones:

Third generation: Hyundai calls it the first full-size sedan to be sold in the US market.
Fifth generation (2011): combined Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture design with a “Grand Glide” concept.
Seventh generation: the latest, which Hyundai says further elevates the car’s standing as a flagship sedan.

The page doesn’t give a year for every generation.

Where the Azera name went

The name is missing from the US, not from Hyundai. On October 11, 2026, Hyundai’s US vehicle page didn’t list the Azera or the Grandeur, and neither did Hyundai’s UK model page.

Hyundai’s global site still presents the current generation as “the all-new AZERA.” We didn’t find a market-by-market list on the Hyundai pages we checked, so we can’t say which countries outside Korea sell it today. If you’re checking a particular country, that country’s own Hyundai website is the place to look.

None of those pages explains why Hyundai uses two names, and we haven’t guessed at a reason.

The Grandeur in Korea today

Hyundai Korea currently sells it as 더 뉴 그랜저 (The New Grandeur). In Korean model names, “The New” usually marks a facelift. The hybrid has its own model page, 더 뉴 그랜저 Hybrid.

Here is how Hyundai’s Korean price lists (dated October 1, 2026, private-use versions) compare with its global Azera pages:

Powertrain	Korea (Grandeur price list)	Global (Azera pages)
2.5 gasoline	Smartstream 2.5 gasoline, 8-speed automatic	Smartstream G2.5 GDi
3.5 gasoline	Smartstream 3.5 gasoline, listed as an option	Smartstream G3.5 GDi
3.5 LPG	Smartstream LPG 3.5 (LPi), 8-speed automatic	Not shown
Hybrid	Smartstream 1.6 turbo hybrid, 47.7 kW motor, 6-speed automatic	Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi HEV

“Not shown” means the global pages don’t mention an LPG version. It doesn’t rule one out in other markets. We’ve left prices out, because they change with each price list and trim.

Why the Korean name matters if you’re in Korea

Hyundai Korea’s site names the car 그랜저, so that’s the name to search with in Korean, not “Azera.”

The marketing prefix can change between updates, too. You may see 디 올 뉴 그랜저 (The All-New Grandeur) for a new generation and 더 뉴 그랜저 for a facelift, but the model is the same. Our lookup table of Hyundai and Kia model names in Korea and abroad covers the rest of the lineup the same way.

When comparing a Korean Grandeur with an Azera you know from elsewhere, check that specific car’s engine and equipment rather than relying on the badge.

Last checked: October 11, 2026. Sources: Hyundai Worldwide vehicle history: AZERA; Hyundai Worldwide: the all-new AZERA and its performance and hybrid pages; Hyundai Korea price lists for The New Grandeur and The New Grandeur Hybrid (in Korean); Hyundai USA vehicles; Hyundai UK models.

October 11, 2026

What Is the Kia Ray? Korea’s Boxy Light Car, Gas and EV

The Kia Ray is a tall, boxy car in Korea’s light-car class. It’s sold in Korea with a 1.0-liter gas engine or as the Ray EV, and both come as a passenger car or a van.

The Ray isn’t listed on Kia’s US, UK or Taiwan lineup pages. This guide covers what it is, how big it is, and how it compares with the Kia Morning and Hyundai Casper.

The Kia Ray at a glance

These figures come from Kia’s Korean spec pages for the 2027 Ray and Ray EV, checked in October 2026. Imperial figures are our own conversions.

	Ray (1.0 gas)	Ray EV
Length	3,595 mm (141.5 in)	3,595 mm (141.5 in)
Width	1,595 mm (62.8 in)	1,595 mm (62.8 in)
Height	1,700 mm (66.9 in)	1,710 mm (67.3 in)
Wheelbase	2,520 mm (99.2 in)	2,520 mm (99.2 in)
Power	76 PS	64.3 kW motor (about 87 PS)
Engine / battery	998 cc, 4-speed automatic	35.2 kWh
Official efficiency (combined)	12.9 km/L on 14-inch tires, 12.6 on 15-inch (about 30 mpg US for both)	5.1 km/kWh
Official range (combined)	–	205 km (about 127 miles)

These are Korea’s official declared figures. Kia notes that real-world numbers vary with road conditions, driving style, load, maintenance and outside temperature.

What “light car” means in Korea

Kia lists the Ray in the light car class (경형, gyeonghyeong). This is a legal category, not a marketing label. It’s defined in Annex 1 of the Enforcement Rules of the Motor Vehicle Management Act.

For a regular light passenger car, the annex sets four limits:

Engine under 1,000 cc, or for an EV, a peak motor output under 80 kW
Length up to 3.6 meters
Width up to 1.6 meters
Height up to 2.0 meters

The Ray is 5 mm under both the length and width caps (our own subtraction from Kia’s figures). The Ray EV’s 64.3 kW motor also stays under the 80 kW line.

Passenger car or van

Both the gas Ray and the Ray EV come in a passenger version and two van versions. Kia’s Korean site lists a 1-seat van aimed at deliveries, mobile shops or leisure use, and a 2-seat van that keeps a passenger seat.

The Ray EV

The EV keeps the same footprint and adds 10 mm of height. Kia’s Korean spec page lists these official figures:

Battery: 35.2 kWh, LFP chemistry, cells and pack by CATL, pack made in China
Motor: 64.3 kW peak, 147 Nm torque
Range: 205 km combined, 233 km city, 171 km highway (about 127, 145 and 106 miles)

Highway range, at 171 km, is the lowest of the three figures. Kia also warns that range can drop in cold weather as battery performance falls.

Sliding door and fold-flat seats

Kia’s Korean feature page lists a sliding door and full-folding seats for every seat. Those sit inside a body that’s 1,700 mm tall (1,710 mm for the EV) on a 3,595 mm length.

Kia’s genuine accessory list for the Ray includes a side tarp and a camping chair and table set, and Kia pitches the 1-seat van partly for leisure.

Is the Ray sold outside Korea?

We checked three of Kia’s country sites in October 2026. The Ray was not listed on the US vehicle lineup, the UK new cars page or the Kia Taiwan full lineup.

That doesn’t mean it’s sold nowhere else, only that these three official pages don’t show it. In Korea the car is current: Kia’s owner’s manual portal, with Korea selected, lists a 2027 Ray manual.

Search interest tells a different story. Over the past year, Google Trends ranked Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Taiwan, South Korea and Kazakhstan as the top regions for “kia ray”. Trends measures relative interest, not search volume.

A Chinese-language query about the Ray’s price in Taiwan was also among the fastest-rising related searches. Kia Taiwan’s lineup doesn’t include the car, and we found no official explanation for the interest.

Kia Ray vs Kia Morning vs Hyundai Casper

By their listed dimensions and engines, the Kia Morning and Hyundai Casper also fit within the light-car limits. Here’s how the gas versions compare, using each brand’s Korean spec page.

	Kia Ray	Kia Morning	Hyundai Casper
Length	3,595 mm	3,595 mm	3,595 mm
Width	1,595 mm	1,595 mm	1,595 mm
Height	1,700 mm	1,485 mm	1,575 mm (1,605 mm with roof rack)
Wheelbase	2,520 mm	2,400 mm	2,400 mm
Base engine	998 cc, 76 PS	998 cc, 76 PS	998 cc, 76 PS

All three share the same length and width, each 5 mm under the caps, so the differences are in height and wheelbase. The Ray is the tallest and has the longest wheelbase of the three. The Casper also offers a 1.0 turbo with 100 PS.

In the UK, the Morning is sold as the Picanto and the Casper Electric as the Inster. Our Hyundai and Kia name lookup table lists every current Hyundai and Kia passenger model in Korea against its US and UK name. For the electric Casper, see how the Inster differs from the Casper Electric.

Where to check the latest specs

Kia’s Korean site publishes the full spec sheets for the Ray and the Ray EV, in Korean. Kia says specs can change without notice, so check there before relying on a figure.

Last checked: October 9, 2026. Sources: Kia Korea Ray and Ray EV specification and feature pages, Kia Korea Morning specification page, Hyundai Casper Online specification page, Enforcement Rules of the Motor Vehicle Management Act Annex 1, as amended January 31, 2024 (Korea Ministry of Government Legislation), Kia US, UK and Taiwan lineup pages, Kia owner’s manual portal, Google Trends (worldwide, past 12 months).

October 9, 2026

Hyundai Inster vs Casper Electric: How the Korean Version Differs

In Korea, the Hyundai Inster goes by another name: Casper Electric (캐스퍼 일렉트릭). Hyundai sells it through its Casper online store, and that’s the name you’ll see in Korean reviews and listings.

Our Korean vs international Hyundai and Kia model name lookup table shows how to confirm the two are the same car using owner’s manual codes. Here, we look at how the versions differ from market to market.

All figures below come from Hyundai’s official pages in Korea, the UK and Australia, checked in October 2026. Where a page doesn’t say something, we’ve left it out.

The short answer

The batteries, motor outputs and body dimensions line up across all three markets. What differs is the trim names, which versions each market spells out in detail, and the official range numbers.

Korea’s range figures are noticeably lower than the UK and Australian ones for the same battery and wheels. They’re certified under a different system, so the two sets of numbers shouldn’t be compared directly.

Size: practically identical

Hyundai UK’s model page doesn’t list dimensions, so this table compares Korea and Australia only.

	Korea (Casper Electric)	Australia (Inster)
Length	3,825 mm (Cross: 3,845 mm)	3,825 mm (Cross: 3,845 mm)
Width	1,610 mm	1,610 mm
Height	1,575 mm (1,610 mm with roof rack)	1,610 mm (including roof rails)
Wheelbase	2,580 mm	2,580 mm

The only difference is how height is quoted. Korea gives the figure without a roof rack first, while the Australian spec sheet includes the roof rails.

Batteries and power by market

All three markets list the same two batteries, 42 kWh and 49 kWh, with matching motor outputs. Torque is 147 Nm wherever it’s listed.

Battery	Power	Korea trims	UK (as listed)	Australia (spec sheet)
42 kWh	71.1 kW (UK: 71 kW / 97 PS)	Standard, 15″ wheels	Standard range, 15″ wheels	INSTER
49 kWh	84.5 kW (UK: 85 kW / 115 PS)	Long-range (15″ or 17″) and Cross (17″)	Long range, 15″ or 17″ wheels	INSTER and INSTER Cross

Korea is the most explicit. Its spec page names a trim for each battery and wheel combination and gives a range figure for each one.

Australia’s spec sheet marks both batteries as available on the regular INSTER and only the 49 kWh battery on the Cross. Its detailed figures, though, cover just two versions: the 42 kWh Standard Range on 15″ wheels and the 49 kWh Cross on 17″ wheels.

Why the range numbers don’t match

The UK and Australia quote WLTP figures. Korea quotes its own government-certified figures, the ones on the Casper Electric spec page.

Battery / wheels	Korea (Korean certification)	UK (WLTP)	Australia (WLTP)
42 kWh, 15″	278 km (173 mi)	203 mi (327 km)	327 km (203 mi)
49 kWh, 15″	315 km (196 mi)	229 mi (369 km)	—
49 kWh, 17″	295 km (183 mi)	223 mi (359 km)	—
49 kWh Cross, 17″	285 km (177 mi)	—	360 km (224 mi), with sunroof
49 kWh Cross with roof basket	248 km (154 mi)	—	—

Figures in brackets are our own conversions (1 mile = 1.609344 km), rounded to the nearest whole number. A dash means that market’s page doesn’t give a separate figure for that setup.

The two WLTP markets agree. The 42 kWh car is rated at 203 miles in the UK and 327 km in Australia, the same figure once converted. Korea rates the same battery and wheels at 278 km, 49 km lower by our subtraction.

Hyundai’s pages don’t explain the gap. Hyundai Australia’s own disclaimer notes that WLTP figures are only meant for comparing cars tested under the same procedure. The practical rule: compare Korean figures with Korean figures, and WLTP with WLTP.

Both the Korean and Australian pages also warn that real-world range varies. Korea singles out cold weather, while Australia lists driving style, climate control and conditions.

Trim names in each market

Trim ladders don’t map one-to-one, so match cars across markets by battery and wheel size, not trim name.

Korea: 기본형 (Standard), 항속형 (Long-range) and 크로스 (Cross), with our translations in brackets. The Cross also gets a separate range figure with its roof basket fitted.
UK: INSTER 01, INSTER 02 and INSTER Cross. The 02 adds 17″ wheels, and the Cross adds the Cross design package and a glass sunroof, among other features.
Australia: INSTER and INSTER Cross.

The Inster wasn’t on Hyundai’s US lineup when we checked in October 2026, so there’s no US version to compare.

Checking prices

We haven’t listed prices because they change often, and Korean EV prices also depend on subsidies that vary by region and year. Each market’s official page is the place to check:

Korea: Hyundai Casper online store (Korean only). The spec page has a price list download.
UK: Hyundai UK Inster page, which shows starting prices by trim.
Australia: Hyundai Australia Inster page, through its Build & Price tool.

Looking for this car in Korea

If you live in Korea or read Korean owner forums, search for 캐스퍼 일렉트릭 or “Casper Electric”. Searching “Inster” is far less useful in Korean results.

One more trap: plain 캐스퍼 (Casper) is the gas-powered model, a separate car with its own spec tab on the Korean site. Check for “일렉트릭” (Electric) in the name before you trust a review or listing.

Last checked: October 8, 2026. Sources: Hyundai Casper online store spec page (Korea), Hyundai UK Inster page, Hyundai Australia Inster page and MY26 Inster specification sheet (August 2026).

October 8, 2026