This minivan nameplate began in 1998, when Kia introduced it in Korea as a family-oriented alternative to the sedan-heavy market of the time. It was sold under a different badge in export markets, including North America and Europe, and helped establish the brand’s reputation outside its home market. The first-generation vehicle was notable for bringing passenger-car refinement to a practical people-mover format, and it became one of the company’s more recognizable global models during the early 2000s.
Over time, the vehicle evolved through successive updates that kept the same basic mission but changed the styling, equipment, and positioning. A major refresh in the mid-2000s brought a more contemporary design and the “new” designation in some markets, while later versions leaned harder into family comfort, available premium features, and stronger V6 power. By the late 2010s, it had settled into a more upscale role, offering a more carlike experience than many traditional vans and serving as the brand’s long-running three-row people mover.
The nameplate’s final model year was 2021, after which it was replaced by a new-generation minivan under a different global name. That makes it a single continuous production run rather than a revived or split-badge history.