The Kia K3 is a subcompact car (B-segment) manufactured by Kia since 2023 as a successor to the Rio. Developed under the codename BL7,[2] the K3 is available in hatchback and sedan body styles. The K3 nameplate was previously used by the Chinese and South Korean market Forte/Cerato, which was succeeded by the K4 in 2024 as Kia is realigning their passenger car nomenclature.[3]
| Kia K3 (BL7) | |
|---|---|
 2023 Kia K3 GT-Line (Colombia) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Kia |
| Model code | BL7 |
| Production | October 2023 – present |
| Model years | 2024–present (Middle East) |
| Assembly | |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact car (B) |
| Body style | |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Related | Hyundai Accent/Verna (BN7) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm (105.1 in)[1] |
| Length |
|
| Width | 1,765 mm (69.5 in) |
| Height |
|
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Kia Rio |
Overview
editThe K3 was first teased on 4 August 2023,[4] and was revealed on 8 August 2023 in Mexico.[5] The hatchback version was announced on 5 October 2023.[6][7]
The model is offered with a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated Smartstream G1.6 petrol engine that makes 123 PS (121 hp; 90 kW) and 154 N⋅m (15.7 kg⋅m; 114 lb⋅ft) of torque and a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated Smartstream G2.0 petrol engine that makes 152 PS (150 hp; 112 kW) and 142 N⋅m (14.5 kg⋅m; 105 lb⋅ft) of torque. The 1.4-liter Kappa engine from the fourth-generation Rio will be retained, albeit for some export markets.[8][9]
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Rear view (sedan)
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Rear view (hatchback)
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Interior
Markets
editMexico
editIn the Mexican market, the K3 is available in five variants; L, LX, EX, EX PACK and GT-Line.[10]
Middle East
editThe K3 was launched in the GCC markets on 5 December 2023.[11]
Latin America
editThe K3 was launched in some Latin American countries as the K3 Cross in 2024.
Powertrain
edit| Model | Years | Transmission | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | ||||
| Kappa II 1.4L MPi | 2023–present | 6-speed manual | 95 PS (70 kW; 94 hp) at 6,000 rpm | 13.2 kg⋅m (129 N⋅m; 95 lbf⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm |
| Smartstream G1.6 MPi | 6-speed manual 6-speed automatic |
123 PS (90 kW; 121 hp) at 6,300 rpm | 15.7 kg⋅m (154 N⋅m; 114 lbf⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm | |
| Smartstream G2.0 MPi | 6-speed automatic | 152 PS (112 kW; 150 hp) at 6,200 rpm | 19.6 kg⋅m (192 N⋅m; 142 lbf⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm | |
References
edit- ^ García, Gerardo (4 August 2023). "¿Adiós al Forte? El KIA K3 se presentará en México la siguiente semana". Motorpasión México.
- ^ "North America AutoForecastVehicle" (PDF). Autoevolution.
- ^ Autocosmos (8 August 2023). "Nuevo KIA K3 2024, así es el reemplazo del Rio sedán". Autocosmos (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 9 August 2023.
- ^ Padeanu, Adrian. "2024 Kia K3 Sedan Teased Ahead Of August 8 Debut, Is It A Rio Or Forte?". Motor1.com. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
- ^ Lye, Gerard (9 August 2023). "2024 Kia K3 sedan debuts in Mexico – Rio successor with 1.6L, 2.0L engines; 6MT, 6AT; available as GT-Line". Paul Tan's Automotive News. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
- ^ Gerlach, Nicolás (5 October 2023). "Kia estrena en México el nuevo K3 hatchback". La Tercera. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ Velázquez, Francisco (3 October 2023). "Kia K3 Hatchback: Primer vistazo". Autoanalítica (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ "Kia Replaces Rio With All-New 2024 K3". CarGuide.PH. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
- ^ "The all-new Kia K3 is South Korea's City, Vios fighter". Top Gear Philippines. 9 August 2023.
- ^ "Kia K3 2024 | Sedán". Kia México (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ Shad Trehan, Rachit (7 December 2023). "Kia K3 Debuts In The Middle East At Riyadh Motor Show - Car News | TCI". Retrieved 30 January 2024.
External links
edit- Official website (sedan, Mexico)
- Official website (hatchback, Mexico)
- Official website (Saudi Arabia)