Developed under the codename BL7,[2] the K3 is available in hatchback and sedan body styles.

The K3 nameplate was previously used by the Chinese and South Korean market Forte/Cerato, which was succeeded by the K4 in 2024 as Kia is realigning their passenger car nomenclature.

The model is offered with a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated Smartstream G1.6 petrol engine that makes 123 PS (121 hp; 90 kW) and 154 N⋅m (15.7 kg⋅m; 114 lb⋅ft) of torque and a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated Smartstream G2.0 petrol engine that makes 152 PS (150 hp; 112 kW) and 142 N⋅m (14.5 kg⋅m; 105 lb⋅ft) of torque.

The 1.4-liter Kappa engine from the fourth-generation Rio will be retained, albeit for some export markets.

[8][9]In the Mexican market, the K3 is available in five variants; L, LX, EX, EX PACK and GT-Line.