Kia K3 (BL7)

For the model sold as the K3 in some markets, see Kia Forte.

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 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)[1]
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

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

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.

External links

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