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The new-generation Kia Rio has adopted a sportier look with hints of SUV styling – and a new name. But it won’t be sold in Australia.
The 2024 Kia K3 — the successor to the Rio city car – has unveiled in Mexico, however the new model will not come to Australia.
As first reported by Drive last week, the K3 name – previously applied to the larger Cerato in markets such as South Korea – will now be used on the city-sized Rio, in a major name reshuffle for two of South Korean car giant Kia’s top-selling passenger cars.
However the new K3 will not be sold in Australia as it will not be manufactured in right-hand drive – and will be focused on developing markets with less stringent safety and emissions standards such as Latin America, the Middle East and South-East Asia.
It has followed the decline in popularity of traditional city cars in developed markets including Europe and Australia, where it is becoming increasingly difficult – with higher material costs in the wake of the pandemic – to produce small cars at a profit that can earn top marks independent crash testing while retaining sub-$25,000 prices.
The move to change from a traditional name such as Rio, to an alphanumeric designation such as K3 for the latest-generation model poses the question of what the new Cerato — expected in Australia towards the end of next year – will be called.
A four-door sedan – traditionally a popular format in the markets where the K3 will be sold – will be the only body style at launch, though Mexican media outlets report a five-door hatchback will follow at a later date.
The new K3 is significantly larger than the vehicle it replaces, with styling from Kia’s latest models including the EV9 large electric SUV, as well as the larger K5 mid-size sedan – sold in Australia in its previous generation as the Optima.
Mexican media reports claim the new K3 measures 4550mm long – a substantial 170mm longer than the outgoing Rio, and only 90mm shorter than the current Kia Cerato sedan.
It is expected to preview the design of the next-generation Kia Cerato, which is also expected to undergo a growth spurt, spy photos show – and is anticipated in Australian showrooms in the second half of next year, as Drive has previously reported.
If the size increase applied to the Rio is a guide, the new Cerato sedan could measure 4840mm long – only 25mm shorter bumper to bumper than a Mazda 6, and 50mm short of a Toyota Camry.
Among the design cues expected to be shared is the full-width tail-light bar, as well as the sharp LED headlights that blend with the grille.
The SUV-inspired stance of the K3 – with black wheel-arch trims and a taller ride height – isn’t expected to feature on the new Cerato, however.
Few details of the K3’s interior or engines have been published, however if its Hyundai Accent (or Verna) twin under the skin – also not sold in Australia – is a guide, expect a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, and a small 4.2-inch driver instrument display (not the widescreen 10.25-inch panel in many Kia cars sold in Australia) in the cabin.
The Hyundai model offers a choice of 1.5-litre non-turbo and turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines.
The new K3 will be manufactured in Mexico, as production for South Korea – where Australian and European models were built – will end.
Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.
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