| Kia K3 (BL7) | |
| Manufacturer: | Kia Corporation |
| Production: | October 2023 – present |
| Model Years: | 2024–present (Middle East) |
| Model Code: | BL7 |
| Class: | Subcompact car (B) |
| Layout: | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Related: | Hyundai Accent/Verna (BN7) |
| Wheelbase: | 2670mm[1] |
| Width: | 1765mm |
| Weight: | NaN0NaN0 |
| 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]
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 and of torque and a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated Smartstream G2.0 petrol engine that makes and of torque. The 1.4-liter Kappa engine from the fourth-generation Rio will be retained, albeit for some export markets.[8] [9]
In the Mexican market, the K3 is available in five variants; L, LX, EX, EX PACK and GT-Line.[10]
The K3 was launched in the GCC markets on 5 December 2023.[11]
The K3 was launched in some Latin American countries as the K3 Cross in 2024.
| Model | Years | Transmission | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | ||||
| Kappa II 1.4L MPi | 2023–present | 6-speed manual | 950NaN0 at 6,000 rpm | 13.2kgm at 4,000 rpm |
| Smartstream G1.6 MPi | 6-speed manual 6-speed automatic | 1230NaN0 at 6,300 rpm | 15.7kgm at 4,500 rpm | |
| Smartstream G2.0 MPi | 6-speed automatic | 1520NaN0 at 6,200 rpm | 19.6kgm at 4,000 rpm | |