Kia took the wraps off an all-new K3 in Mexico Metropolis this week.

That was a little bit of an odd transfer since Kia doesn’t promote something known as the K3 anyplace in North America. However that’s the moniker the automaker makes use of for its Forte small automotive in its residence market of South Korea. So, we suspect it is a preview of the 2025 Kia Forte.

Assuming the automotive you see is the subsequent Forte, it appears to be like sharp. It retains continuity with the present Forte by its grille however adopts a fastback roofline, giving it extra household resemblance to the EV6. Kia’s new signature “star map” lights take the look upscale for an inexpensive small automotive.

Inside, the present Forte is among the solely autos in Kia’s lineup that doesn’t hyperlink its central touchscreen and driver’s instrument cluster in a single housing. The subsequent mannequin appears to be like prone to repair that. The central touchscreen is 10.25 inches and contains each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as normal gear. Kia says two gadgets can join on the identical time through Bluetooth.

It additionally will get “a newly designed steering wheel impressed by the EV6.”

Kia says the K3/Forte “might be supplied with the famend 1.6-liter engine, and for the primary time, a brand new sporty GT-Line trim might be out there, that includes a 2.0-liter engine.” Nonetheless, we are able to’t make sure that the identical engine lineup will seem in the USA.

Kia guarantees “the vibration and sound insulation ranges are similar to these seen in autos of a better class.”

In regards to the Title

Kia known as the automotive the “K3” in its Mexican debut. That’s a shock, as Kia has historically bought this automotive because the Forte in Mexico and the U.S.

It might be an indication {that a} rebrand is coming. With its final redesign, Kia modified its midsize automotive’s title from Optima to K5. Altering the smaller automotive’s title from Forte to K3 in all markets can be a logical subsequent step.

Automakers usually transfer to alphanumeric names for automobiles bought worldwide as a result of they work in a number of languages and may usually be trademarked (in contrast to single, appropriately spelled phrases).

If the corporate follows normal practices, the automotive will make its U.S. debut inside a number of months. At that time, we’ll study what it will likely be known as when it arrives.