The Kia K3 (also called Forte or Cerato depending on the market) has received its mid-cycle refresh that includes styling and tech upgrades. This facelift is applicable to Mexico and South Korean markets, and is scheduled to go on sale in the fourth quarter of the year.
The new K3 adopts the brand’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy with a more aggressive front fascia with sharp design cues—including distinctive LED DRLs. On the side, you can notice a fastback-style sloping roofline—which is made more dramatic with dark window surrounds and a J-shaped chrome applique on the beltline. We’re seeing the GT-Line here, which rides on 17-inch wheels. If you walk toward the rear, you’ll find clean and sophisticated styling with a light bar that stretches a little toward the side of the car.
Inside, there’s a new, minimalistic dashboard design with a curved panel that houses a digital cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and pairing of two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Other key highlights include USB Type-C ports for both front and rear passengers; two-zone touch automatic climate control, and ambient lighting with up to 64 colors.
Passive safety includes 6 airbags. As for the ADAS suite, the list includes 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).
Moving on to the juicy bits of the story, the new K3 continues to be powered by a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine with 90.5 kW (123 metric hp) and 154 Nm (113.6 lb-ft), and can be paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The GT-Line offers a 112 kW (152 metric hp) 2.0-litre engine matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission featuring paddle shifters. A 1.4-litre turbo petrol option will also be available depending on the market.
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