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New Kia K3 Comes to Latin America and May Come to Brazil Soon to Replace the Kia Cerato. The Vehicle Delivers Up to 154 Horsepower.
The KIA K3, a model revealed in August by the brand, has just arrived in the Peruvian market. The name used in South Korea to refer to the Cerato, the Kia K3 is available in hatch and sedan body styles. Its goal is to replace the Rio in Latin American countries, in addition to the Cerato itself, which was discontinued here in 2023. Its debut in the neighboring country may signify that the new model is getting closer to Brazil, where it should feature a flex engine with mild hybrid technology.
New Kia K3 Delivers 154 Horsepower
The design, called Opposites United by Kia, combines narrow headlights well integrated into the grille with LEDs that extend over the bumper. At the rear, the highlight is the flat-shaped trunk lid crossed by interconnected taillights.
The version shown in the photos, called GT-Line, features 17-inch wheels, shark fin antenna, dual exhaust outlets, and more. Inside the replacement for the Cerato, the highlight is the integration of the instrument panel with the 10.25-inch entertainment screen in a single piece.
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There’s also a steering wheel inspired by the electric EV6, a minimalist dashboard, and horizontal lines. Among the features, there are Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, USB type C ports, dual-zone air conditioning, 6 airbags, ESP, automatic braking systems, and blind spot detection.
Under the hood of the Kia K3, it appears that the hatchback will follow the sedan and will not feature turbo engines. It is expected to have 1.6 naturally aspirated engines with 125 horsepower (the same as the old Rio) and 2.0 also naturally aspirated with 154 horsepower. The transmission can be manual or automatic, always with 6 gears. For export markets, there will also be a 1.4 engine.
Kia’s Strategy with Its New Model
Just as Honda did with the City hatch and sedan models, Kia hopes to have more representation in both segments. The duo from the Japanese brand will also compete with the Kia K3. As is done in Mexico, which has a free trade agreement with Brazil, the expectation is that the model will arrive with competitive prices. The replacement for the Cerato is expected to be priced between R$ 120 thousand and R$ 140 thousand.
However, Kia’s bet is on the sedan market, even though the hatch will also arrive in the Country. With a length of 4.54 meters, a width of 1.76m, a height of 1.47m, and a wheelbase of 2.67m, the Kia K3 will also compete with the Nissan Versa, Volkswagen Vitrus, and the previously mentioned City. Among the competitors, the K3 has the largest trunk, for example, with 544 liters.
Kia Cerato Discontinued
In July, the Kia Cerato ceased to be offered on the official brand website. Kia stated at the time that the model’s offering was suspended but left open the possibility of a future return. In its fourth generation, the model was available in only two versions: EX and SX.
The models differed by equipment level and were priced at R$ 113 thousand and R$ 118 thousand, respectively. Both versions featured the same mechanics based on the 2.0 naturally aspirated flex engine with 167 horsepower and 20.6 kgfm of torque. The transmission was a six-speed automatic in both configurations.
With the end of the sedan, the South Korean brand now has only SUVs in its portfolio. The list includes Stonic, Niro, and Sportage, in addition to the minivan Carnival and the Bongo truck, which is a Compact Utility Vehicle (CUV).
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