All-new 2024 Kia K3 revealed as Rio replacement
But it’s not coming to Australia, with Kia building this sleek new small sedan in Mexico for other marketsThe 2024 Kia K3 has made its global debut as a new-generation replacement for the Kia Rio light car, emerging in Mexico where the compact sedan will be built for select left-hand drive markets.
There’s no sign yet of a hatchback body style, but the new Kia K3 – using a nameplate that was previously assigned to relatives of the bigger Kia Cerato in overseas markets – has already been ruled out for Australia.
As carsales reported last week, there’s no right-hand drive production planned for the new model.
Kia’s focus on Latin America might also see the K3 fail to achieve a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating sought by Kia in Australia.
Despite being described as a ‘sub-compact’ car in Mexico, the K3 measures 4545mm long, 1765mm wide and 1475mm high (with a 2670mm wheelbase), occupying similar footprint to the current-generation Kia Cerato small car that’s due to be replaced next year.
The new K3 sedan flaunts a sporty fastback silhouette and has an angular new aesthetic reminiscent of the mid-size K5 (aka Kia Optima).
The interior looks like a budget version of the Kia EV6 premium electric car, featuring a two-spoke steering wheel, dual-screen curved display atop a layered dash and an almost floating centre console.
Only the mechanical gear lever outs the K3 as an internal combustion vehicle, the four-cylinder naturally-aspirated engines displacing 1.6 or 2.0 litres depending on the variant.
The 1.6 produces 90kW and drives the front wheels via either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, whereas the bigger 2.0-litre saved for the flagship GT-Line develops 110kW but can only be had with an automatic (with paddle shifters).
A smaller and more frugal 1.4-litre engine will also be available.
Standard equipment highlights on the new light car include a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch infotainment interface, LED daytime running lights, smartphone mirroring, dual-zone climate control and alloy wheels.
Up to 544 litres of cargo capacity is available behind the rear seats thanks to the fastback body shape.
Kia Australia has no immediate plans to replace the popular Rio light hatch with another model, focusing instead on the related Kia Stonic light SUV and the bigger Cerato hatch.
Related: New 2024 Kia K3 heralds Rio replacement
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