The Bongo van was a runaway hit that sparked a boom in Korea’s compact passenger van market. Introduced by Kia as a response to the government’s Automotive Industry Rationalization Policy (1981)—which halted passenger car production—it became a lifeline for the company. Riding a wave of rising leisure demand and rapid urbanization, Bongo achieved unprecedented sales for its time.
Today in Korea, “Bongo” is still used as a generic term for vans, reflecting the model’s enduring cultural impact. Its legacy continued with the Bongo truck, which went on to become the iconic “people’s truck” of Korea.
Kia Campground filled with Bongos in 1986
Kia’s commercial vehicles of the 1980s
Length:
4,125 - 5,125 mm
Width:
1,620 - 1,740 mm
Height:
1,995 mm
Drive type:
Rear-wheel drive
Engine:
Inline 4-cylinder diesel
Displacement:
2,209 cc
