Brisa was born from a government-led initiative launched in 1970 to create Korea’s first “people’s car.” It marked Kia’s entry into the passenger car market—30 years after its founding and decades of making bicycles and motorcycles. Powered by a domestically built engine, Brisa symbolized Korea’s industrial progress. By 1976, its successor models reached a localization rate of 89.5%, helping to drive the nation’s automotive industry forward.
Named after the Spanish word for “breeze,” Brisa was praised for its fuel efficiency and affordability—famously promoted with the slogan: “2,000 won a day.” Thanks to its economic appeal, Brisa gained popularity as a family car and eventually made up more than half of Seoul’s entire taxi fleet.
Brisa ready for shipment
Brisa making its first overseas export in 1977
Length:
3,875 mm
Width:
1,540 mm
Height:
1,399 mm
Drive type:
Rear-wheel drive
Engine:
Inline 4-cylinder gasoline
Displacement:
985 - 1,272 cc
