Kia has just unveiled the all-new Kia K3, which is apparently now a successor to the Rio and not the Forte or Cerato. Premiered in Mexico City, production of the all-new K3 is set to take place in Nuevo Leon. The K3 is not available in Malaysia, but its interesting design makes us wish it was offered here.
Positioned as an entry-level vehicle, Kia says that the all-new Kia K3 “demonstrates that entry-level vehicles can provide a rewarding experience akin to higher category vehicles”. And based on the pictures that we’re seeing right now, we can certainly buy what they’re saying. It almost looks like a Polestar 2.
As for its dimensions, the all-new Kia K3 measures 4,545 mm long, 1,765 mm wide, and 1,475 mm tall, with a wheelbase measuring 2,670 mm long. It is about the size of a B-segment saloon like the Honda City. Hence why perhaps it is the successor to the Rio and not the Cerato.
Like the rest of its family, the all-new Kia K3 sports the Tiger Nose grille up front, making it easily recognizable as a Kia. Its front end does somewhat emulate a certain generation of the Kia Optima. The Polestar 2 resemblance can be seen in the fastback side profile of the car and the use of unpainted claddings on the wheel arches.
There is a new GT Line version of the Kia K3, which not only enhances its looks but also its performance. Speaking off which, the all-new Kia K3 get several powertrain options which include the standard 1.6-litre engine, a 2.0-litre engine for the GT Line, and a 1.4-litre engine for export-oriented models. The 1.6-litre mill makes 123 hp (metric) while the 2.0-litre engine makes 152 hp (metric).
Inside, the all-new Kia K3 gets updated with a minimalistic cabin. A new steering wheel is in place and like the rest of the brand’s lineup, it gets a twin-screen setup for the instrument cluster and main head unit. The head unit comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Not usual in its segment, the Kia K3 offers dual-zone climate control and a 64-colour ambient lighting system.
Safety-wise, the all-new Kia K3 comes with a decent list of equipment. This includes six airbags, an ABS braking system, and an ESC electronic stability program as standard. Likewise, depending on the selected trim, a set of ADAS technologies is also available, including notable features like Front Collision Avoidance (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Rear Cross-traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), and Driving Attention Warning (DAW), among others.
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