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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).

  • 2027 Hyundai Avante vs Elantra: What Korea Gets First

    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.

    Trim2.0 gas (KRW)1.6 hybrid (KRW)
    Modern23,980,00030,420,000
    Premium27,710,00033,610,000
    Inspiration31,520,00036,990,000

    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 2.0US: 2026 Elantra
    Generation8th (CN8)Outgoing (CN7, see above)
    Engine2.0 gas, 1,999 cc2.0 gas, inline 4-cylinder
    Power149 PS (147 hp) at 6,200 rpm147 hp at 6,200 rpm
    Torque18.3 kgf·m (132 lb-ft) at 4,500 rpm132 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm
    TransmissionIVTIVT
    Length4,765 mm (187.6 in)185.4 in
    Width1,855 mm (73.0 in)71.9 in
    Height1,425 mm (56.1 in)55.7 in
    Wheelbase2,750 mm (108.3 in)107.1 in
    Fuel tank47 L (12.4 gal)12.4 gal
    Base screen12.9-inch Pleos Connect8-inch touchscreen (SE)
    Starting price23,980,000 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:

    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).

  • Kia Picanto vs Morning: How the Korean Version Differs

    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: MorningUK: PicantoAustralia: Picanto
    Engine1.0 gas, 998 cc1.0 GDI gas, 998 cc1.2 MPI gas
    Power76 PS (75 hp) at 6,200 rpm68 bhp at 6,000 rpm–
    Torque9.7 kgf·m (95 Nm) at 3,750 rpm96 Nm at 4,000 rpm–
    Gearbox4-speed automatic only5-speed manual or 5-speed automated manual (AMT)5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic
    Length3,595 mm (141.5 in)3,605 mm (141.9 in), from the GT-Line dimension drawing–
    BodyPassenger car and 2-seat van5-seat passenger car5-seat passenger car
    TrimsTrendy, Prestige, Signature, GT-Line (van: Trendy, Prestige)Pure, GT-Line, GT-Line SSport, 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.

    VersionTrimPrice (KRW)
    Passenger carTrendy14,210,000
    Passenger carPrestige16,010,000
    Passenger carSignature18,160,000
    Passenger carGT-Line19,110,000
    VanTrendy13,860,000
    VanPrestige14,510,000

    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:

    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).

  • 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.

  • Hyundai Staria Explained: Korean Versions vs Australia and the UK

    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.

    ModelPowertrainTourerCargoFrom
    The New Staria3.5 LPG, 240 PS, 8-speed auto11 seats3 or 5 seatsKRW 32,590,000
    Staria Hybrid1.6 turbo hybrid, 245 PS system output, 6-speed auto9 or 11 seats2 or 5 seatsKRW 36,250,000
    Staria Electric84.0 kWh battery, 160 kW motor11 seats3 or 5 seatsKRW 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:

    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.

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

    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.

    ModelKoreanType and lengthPowertrains in Korea
    Hyundai Grandeur그랜저Sedan2.5 gas, 3.5 gas, 3.5 LPG, 1.6 turbo hybrid
    Hyundai Casper캐스퍼Small car, 3,595 mm1.0 gas, 1.0 turbo
    Kia Ray / Ray EV레이Light car, 3,595 mm1.0 gas, electric (35.2 kWh)
    Kia K8K8Sedan, 5,050 mm2.5 gas, 3.5 gas, 3.5 LPG, 1.6 turbo hybrid
    Kia K9K9Sedan, 5,140 mm3.8 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:

    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.