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

    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 IIKia Bongo III
    Korean name포터 II봉고 III
    Engine2.5 turbo LPG2.5 turbo LPG
    Output159 PS automatic, 138 PS manual159 PS automatic, 138 PS manual
    Gearboxes6-speed manual, 5-speed automatic6-speed manual, 5-speed automatic
    CabsRegular, super, doubleStandard, king, double
    Payload versionsNot stated by Hyundai1-ton and 1.2-ton
    Drive2WD or 4WD2WD or 4WD (1-ton only)
    Official fuel economy6.3 to 7.0 km/L6.3 to 7.0 km/L (1-ton only)
    Electric versionPorter II ElectricBongo 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.

    VersionPrice range (KRW)
    Porter II, 2WD21,410,000 to 25,130,000
    Porter II, 4WD23,160,000 to 26,660,000
    Porter II Electric43,500,000 to 46,450,000
    Bongo III 1-ton, 2WD20,450,000 to 24,500,000
    Bongo III 1-ton, 4WD22,500,000 to 25,950,000
    Bongo III 1.2-ton, 2WD24,550,000 to 25,700,000
    Bongo III EV43,450,000 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).

  • Gas Stations in Korea: Fuel Types, Prices and Self-Service

    Gas Stations in Korea: Fuel Types, Prices and Self-Service

    The first fill-up in a Korean rental car comes with a few practical problems. The fuel names are in Korean, some pumps are self-service, and prices vary from station to station. A free public price site, Opinet, answers most of it, though it’s in Korean too.

    This guide covers the Korean fuel names, what Korea’s safety rules require at self-service pumps, how to check prices on Opinet and what a trip is likely to cost.

    How we checked

    Prices come from Opinet (오피넷), the fuel price service run by the Korea National Oil Corporation, a public corporation. We checked its nationwide averages on October 22, 2026. The pump rules come from Annex 13 of the Enforcement Rule of the Dangerous Substances Safety Management Act (위험물안전관리법 시행규칙), in the version in force since July 1, 2026.

    The fuel economy example uses Hyundai Korea’s official rating for the new Avante, and the rental section uses Lotte Rent-a-Car’s English page. We didn’t use prices or claims from news reports or station chains.

    Fuel names in Korean

    Opinet uses these names for road fuels. The averages include VAT.

    FuelKoreanAvg. price (won/L)
    Regular gasoline휘발유 (보통휘발유)1,855.87 (Oct 22)
    Premium gasoline고급휘발유2,397.46 (Oct 21)
    Diesel경유 (자동차용경유)1,842.47 (Oct 22)
    LPG (autogas)LPG1,143.84 (Oct 22)

    The premium figure comes from Opinet’s daily statistics page, which showed October 21 as its latest day. The others are the averages on Opinet’s front page on October 22.

    Diesel is 경유 (gyeong-yu) and gasoline is 휘발유 (hwi-bal-yu). The two words look nothing like their English names, so learn them before your first stop. If you’re not sure which fuel your rental takes, ask at pickup.

    Rules at every gas station

    Section II of Annex 13 requires every gas station to post a sign reading 주유중엔진정지, “engine off while refueling,” in black on yellow. It must also post a sign marking the station as a no-smoking area. Switch the engine off before you start.

    Self-service pumps

    Korea has both full-service and self-service stations. Opinet’s station search can filter for full-service (일반) or self-service (셀프) stations, so you can choose before you arrive. At a full-service pump, an attendant fills the car for you.

    Section XV of Annex 13 sets the standards for self-service pumps. Among them:

    • The nozzle stops automatically when the tank is full.
    • If a nozzle can be latched open, fueling must stop automatically when it leaves the filler neck.
    • The pump must have a structure to prevent mixing up gasoline and diesel.
    • Each session is capped at 100 liters and 4 minutes for gasoline, and 600 liters and 12 minutes for diesel.

    Signs next to a self-service pump must say customers can fill up themselves and show where to stop the car. Instructions and the fuel type must be shown near the hose. Where a station also has staff-only pumps, those must be marked as not for customer use.

    The station must have a monitoring booth that can see every self-service pump. The booth needs a control that stops fuel to all of them and a speaker system to give customers instructions.

    The misfuel safeguard is a requirement for the equipment, not a guarantee, so read the nozzle label anyway. If you think you’ve put in the wrong fuel, tell the staff and call your rental company before you drive off.

    Checking prices with Opinet

    Opinet’s website is in Korean. Its front page shows today’s nationwide average for gasoline, diesel and LPG, and averages by province.

    The station search (싼 주유소찾기, “find a cheap station”) lists stations in an area with their prices. It can also filter for extras such as a car wash, a convenience store or stations open 24 hours. On October 22, 2026, the lowest gasoline price on the front page was 1,765 won and the highest was 2,549 won, so the gap between stations can be large.

    Opinet also has a menu where rule violations by stations are made public (불법행위공표). We didn’t review those listings, but you can check them before choosing a station.

    How much will a trip cost?

    Divide the distance by the car’s fuel economy to get liters, then multiply by the price. For example, a 400 km drive in a car rated at 14.3 km/L, at 1,855.87 won a liter, comes to about 51,900 won by our calculation, rounded to the nearest 100 won.

    The 14.3 km/L figure is the official Korean combined rating for the new 2.0 gas Avante on 16-inch wheels. Our guide to the new Avante and the Elantra has the rest of its specs. Official figures come from a standard test, so real driving can differ.

    Trip fuel cost estimator

    Enter your distance and your car’s fuel economy. The price starts at Opinet’s nationwide average for the fuel you pick, and you can change it to the price at your station. Changing the fuel resets the price.

    Default prices: Opinet (Korea National Oil Corporation) nationwide averages shown on October 22, 2026, including VAT: regular gasoline 1,855.87, diesel 1,842.47 and LPG 1,143.84 won per liter. Prices change daily. The default 14.3 km/L is the official Korean combined rating for the 2.0 gas Hyundai Avante on 16-inch wheels. Results are estimates, not quotes.

    The estimator works in km/L because that’s how Korean ratings are published. If you think in US mpg, our Kia K8 guide has a converter that turns km/L into mpg.

    LPG and electric cars

    Opinet lists LPG separately from gasoline and diesel, and its station search has a separate tab for LPG filling stations (충전소). If your rental runs on LPG, plan your stops with that tab. The Hyundai Grandeur and the Kia K8 are both offered with LPG engines in Korea, as our list of Korea-only Hyundai and Kia models shows.

    LPG filling stations come under a separate gas safety law, so the gas station rules above don’t describe them. If you’re driving an electric car, our guide to EV charging in Korea covers chargers and rates.

    Filling up a rental car

    How full the tank should be when you return the car, and what you pay if it isn’t, depends on your rental contract. When we checked Lotte Rent-a-Car’s English rental page on October 9, 2026, it said fuel charges after a key-drop return are billed to your registered card.

    Read the fuel section of your own contract before you set off. Our guide to renting a car in Korea covers what the law requires of rental companies and what comes from their own terms.

    Before you pull in

    • Know your fuel: 휘발유 for gasoline, 경유 for diesel.
    • Check the station type and price on Opinet if you have time.
    • Turn the engine off before fueling.
    • At a self-service pump, read the nozzle label before you start.
    • Keep your rental contract’s fuel rule in mind before the last fill-up.

    Last checked: October 22, 2026. Sources: Opinet, Korea National Oil Corporation (front-page averages for October 22, 2026, daily average price statistics for October 21, 2026, and station search; in Korean); Enforcement Rule of the Dangerous Substances Safety Management Act, Annex 13, sections II and XV (Korean Law Information Center, in Korean); Hyundai Korea all-new Avante price list (fuel economy); Lotte Rent-a-Car English rental page (checked October 9, 2026, for our rental guide).

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

    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.

    KoreaAustralia
    Engine2.5 turbo gasoline, 2,497 cc2.2 turbo diesel
    Power281 PS (about 277 hp)154 kW (about 207 hp)
    Torque43.0 kgf·m (about 422 Nm / 311 lb-ft)440 Nm (about 325 lb-ft)
    Transmission8-speed automaticAutomatic (8-speed, per Kia’s global release)
    Drive2WD or 4WD; X-Pro listed with 4WD onlyS grade in 4×2 or 4×4; other grades 4×4
    Max towing3,500 kg (about 7,716 lb)3,500 kg braked (about 7,716 lb)
    Payload700 kg (about 1,543 lb), 2WD figureUp to 1,000 kg (about 2,205 lb)
    TrimsDynamic, Adventure, Best Selection, Extreme, X-ProS, 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:

    TrimKoreanStarting price4WD
    Dynamic다이내믹₩35,000,000₩2,650,000 option
    Adventure어드벤처₩41,200,000₩2,650,000 option
    Best Selection베스트 셀렉션₩43,500,000Standard
    Extreme익스트림₩45,050,000₩2,650,000 option
    X-ProX-Pro₩52,550,000Standard

    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)CombinedOur conversions
    2WD8.6 km/Labout 20.2 US mpg / 11.6 L/100km
    4WD8.1 km/Labout 19.1 US mpg / 12.3 L/100km
    X-Pro 4WD7.7 km/Labout 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.

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

    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.

    SedanLengthWheelbasePowertrains in KoreaStarting price in Korea
    K54,905 mm (193.1 in)2,850 mm (112.2 in)1.6 turbo gas, 2.0 gas, 2.0 LPG, 2.0 hybridKRW 27,630,000
    K85,050 mm (198.8 in)2,895 mm (114.0 in)2.5 gas, 3.5 gas, 3.5 LPG, 1.6 turbo hybridKRW 37,310,000
    K95,140 mm (202.4 in)3,105 mm (122.2 in)3.8 gas, 3.3 turbo gasKRW 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.

    PowertrainEngine sizeMax powerMax torqueTransmission
    2.5 gas2,497 cc198 PS (195 hp)25.3 kgf·m (248 Nm)8-speed automatic
    3.5 gas3,470 cc300 PS (296 hp)36.6 kgf·m (359 Nm)8-speed automatic (AWD version available)
    3.5 LPG3,470 cc240 PS (237 hp)32.0 kgf·m (314 Nm)8-speed automatic
    1.6 turbo hybrid1,598 ccElectric motor 47.7 kW27.0 kgf·m (265 Nm) engine, 264 Nm motor6-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.

    VersionWheel sizes listedCombined, km/L
    2.5 gas17 to 20 in12.0 to 11.3
    3.5 gas18 to 20 in10.1 to 9.9
    3.5 gas AWD18 to 20 in9.1 to 9.0
    3.5 LPG17 to 18 in8.0 to 7.8
    1.6 turbo hybrid17 to 19 in18.1 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.

    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

    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.