Kia just held the world debut of its new K3 sedan in Mexico City. This location was not a random choice because it will be produced in Kia’s plant in the northern state of Nuevo León.
The stakes for the new K3 are high, as this model replaces the Rio, which in 2022 had the distinction of being the top selling car in Mexico, leaving the Nissan Versa and Chevrolet Aveo in its wake.
Additionally, Kia has Chinese brands breathing down its neck in Mexico, mostly MG with its 5 sedan, so the new K3 will bear a heavy burden on its shoulders.
New look for a new car
The new K3 has an ambitious design that sets out to prove that small cars can be stylish, looking like the Mini-me version of the K5 that already sells in the U.S. The new K3 successfully averts the Dollar General design of some low-cost cars.
The roof slopes down rapidly, in a fastback fashion but it thankfully steers clear of the floating two-tone design cliché present in so many current models. The taillamps have a distinctive thin strip design and of course have LED illumination.
The design goodness continues in the K3´s interior, with a minimalist and high-tech look. The screens for the instruments and infotainment system merge into a single unit with no visor for an integrated and clean look.
Tech-wise, the K3 offers USB C and A charging points as well as wireless Apple CarPlay