Kia K3 (BL7)

Kia K3 (BL7)
Kia K3 (BL7)
	2023 Kia K3 GT-Line (Colombia)
Overview
Manufacturer	Kia Corporation
Model code	BL7
Production	October 2023 – present
Model years	2024–present (Middle East)
Assembly	Mexico: Pesquería (KMMX);
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact car (B)
Body style	4-door sedan; 5-door hatchback;
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Related	Hyundai Accent/Verna (BN7)
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol:; 1.4 L Kappa II MPi I4; 1.6 L Smartstream G1.6 MPi I4; 2.0 L Smartstream G2.0 MPi I4;
Transmission	6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic;
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,670 mm (105.1 in)
Length	4,295 mm (169.1 in) (hatchback); 4,545 mm (178.9 in) (sedan);
Width	1,765 mm (69.5 in)
Height	1,495 mm (58.9 in) (hatchback); 1,475 mm (58.1 in) (sedan);
Chronology
Predecessor	Kia Rio

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]

Overview

The 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]

Rear view (sedan)
Rear view (hatchback)
Interior

Markets

Mexico

In the Mexican market, the K3 is available in five variants; L, LX, EX, EX PACK and GT-Line.^[10]

Middle East

The K3 was launched in the GCC markets on 5 December 2023.^[11]

Latin America

The K3 was launched in some Latin American countries as the K3 Cross in 2024.

Powertrain

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

^ 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

Official website (sedan, Mexico)
Official website (hatchback, Mexico)

[1] García, Gerardo (4 August 2023). "¿Adiós al Forte? El KIA K3 se presentará en México la siguiente semana". Motorpasión México.

[2] "North America AutoForecastVehicle" (PDF). Autoevolution.

[3] Autocosmos (8 August 2023). "Nuevo KIA K3 2024, así es el reemplazo del Rio sedán". Autocosmos (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 9 August 2023.

[4] Padeanu, Adrian. "2024 Kia K3 Sedan Teased Ahead Of August 8 Debut, Is It A Rio Or Forte?". Motor1.com. Retrieved 6 August 2023.

[5] 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.

[6] Gerlach, Nicolás (5 October 2023). "Kia estrena en México el nuevo K3 hatchback". La Tercera. Retrieved 6 October 2023.

[7] Velázquez, Francisco (3 October 2023). "Kia K3 Hatchback: Primer vistazo". Autoanalítica (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 6 October 2023.

[8] "Kia Replaces Rio With All-New 2024 K3". CarGuide.PH. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.

[9] "The all-new Kia K3 is South Korea's City, Vios fighter". Top Gear Philippines. 9 August 2023.

[10] "Kia K3 2024 | Sedán". Kia México (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 7 December 2023.

[11] Shad Trehan, Rachit (7 December 2023). "Kia K3 Debuts In The Middle East At Riyadh Motor Show - Car News | TCI". Retrieved 30 January 2024.

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