Kia K3 GT 5-door

Addressing concerns that the newest Kia K3 discards its fun to drive factor for fuel efficiency because of the new gearbox that made the new model behave like a Japanese city car, Kia Motors provided customers with a tangy new addition to this new model. Dubbed the K3 GT, it can be offered in a choice of a 4-door saloon and this, a 5-door hatchback.

2019 Kia K3 GT

2019 Kia K3 GT interior

Whereas the saloon can be offered in normal or GT variants, the hatchback is offered exclusively as the GT so focus is shifted on this one and while it carries the same exterior design as the saloon version, the K3 GT's hatchback profile is as stunning as the Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback, one of the key rivals of this car, and from every angle, this is something you really want to get your hands on if you got yourselves a driver's license for the first time.

On the interior, since this is the GT model, it's been given red stitching on the seats and the steering wheel while the door panels are as trendy as a nightclub. It maybe youth-focused but it carries all of the same stuff as the saloon such as the touch screen sat nav that works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB ports, wireless charging station, KRELL Premium Sound with 8-speaker, and many more. Because being a hatchback, the boot space is decent enough for your everyday stuff from work or for weekend trips and the rear seats can be folded down to make the most out of it. You can make it a five-seater, a three-seater, a two-seater, and as a little sleeper. Smart thinking, right?

Under the hood, the K3 GT is powered by a 1.6L Gamma T-GDi four-cylinder engine producing 204PS of power and 27.0kg•m of torque while mated to a 7-speed double clutch gearbox, which is a bit of a buzzkill for a sporty hatchback of that size, but it's the dynamics that put the shine on the K3 GT as it features a sports rear multilink suspension as well as improved springs so that now, it's stable at the bends and comfortable. With the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres set as well as the available tuning package featuring some handling upgrades, the K3 GT really puts a charm on the dynamics department and although being a Korean car, it doesn't really behave like a Korean car at all. It really is something that can't be denied from the start.

For added safety, the K3 GT, like most models, now come with Forward Collision Warning and Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Attention Warning, and High Beam Assist, all standard, while the Smart Cruise Control and Blind-spot Collision Warning are optional extras.

Prices for the K3 GT starts 19,930,000 Korean Won and although costly to own compared to the normal K3, the new K3 GT promises to bring back the fun-to-drive character to this new model, something that the normal K3 is missing the whole time, and with that, there's so much to talk about a sporty variant that does almost everything to keep the drivers happy for more.

Photo: Kia Motors

Kia All-New K3 (BD)

Having showcased to the world stage at last January's NAIAS, Kia's all-new K3 (known to the world as either a Cerato or a Forte) has arrived and it's going to be a game changer in the medium sedan category where Corollas and Civics are too good to be cool. So, how's the full model change work well in today's automotive landscape? Well, let's find out.

2019 Kia K3

2019 Kia K3

Kia states that the all-new K3 draws inspiration from our favorite sports saloon, the Stinger, but to my mind, this new model is both alluring and perplexing at the same time. Although the front view looks very surprising at first, the rear view can be easily confused to the Audi A3 sedan but so what, you can tell that to the boss who used to work at Audi. Either way, the new K3's design is not half bad for medium sedan standards and when you see one stopping by your home subdivision, you are really taking chances on how nice this car looks.

2019 Kia K3 interior

On the inside, the new K3 still works like every other car in the world should be and if you go for some expensive variants, you'll have some stuff to toy around with before setting off such as this touch screen sat nav that works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB ports, wireless charging station, KRELL Premium Sound with 8-speaker, and many more. While the interior is not pretty bad to make most off, the boot can take up to 502L liters of cargo and that's enough space to put today's stuff you bought from your nearest thrift shop or garage sale you saw in the classifieds.

2019 Kia K3

Now, we get to know about the performance of the new K3 and this is the time you should pay attention because what you will about to witness can be refreshing and revolting at the same time because the new K3 is the first Kia to introduce the all-new SmartStream G1.6 engine which comes with Dual Port Fuel Injection System and Integral Thermal Management System, and it's mated to an all new SmartStream Intelligent Variable Transmission or IVT which is, annoyingly, a CVT that behaves differently because it uses adaptive style shift logic with a chain-type belt instead of push belt, a first in the compact class. Not only that, the IVT is even quieter than conventional CVTs and as a result, it has a fuel economy of 15.2km/L. Not quite as efficient as most Japanese compacts but it's worth the trip to your nearest points of interests for almost a week, although it can be somewhat as unpleasing to live with like your dad's Civic that has a CVT on it that he got as a birthday present from last year.

Let's not forget, to keep the new K3 smooth on today's traffic, it's been given with numerous safety features such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Smart Cruise Control, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and High Beam Assist, among many others.

The all-new K3 from Kia starts at 15,900,000 Korean Won which is still one of the most reasonably priced cars on the market today. So, how do I sum this up? First, while the K3 excels on its value for money, good looks, tech, and space, it's not very pleasing on the performance stakes because although they did a good job on fuel efficiency, the IVT really spoils the new K3's fun factor and that is the bottom line. Love it or hate it, you'd be the judge for that.

Available colors: Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, Aurora Black Pearl, Gravity Blue, Platinum Graphite, Runway Red, Horizon Blue, and Steel Grey.

Photo: Kia Motors

Kia K3 EURO

2014 Kia K3 EURO

It's been quite a long months since it made an American appearance at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show and its Asian premiere at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show but at long last, the Kia K3 lineup is finally complete because not only it has the four-door saloon that it came last year and the turbocharged K3 KOUP that came late last month but now, the hatchback version of the K3, dubbed K3 EURO, has arrived for just 18,370,000 Korean Won (estimated 18,000 US Dollars).

So, what's it all about this...5-door version of the K3? Well, for starters, it has all of the same stuff you'll find from its sedan counterpart except now in its 5-door configuration. The EURO name, well it's somewhat sarcastic because you can't find these in Europe in favor of the Cee-apostrophe-D. Never mind because while the K3 locks on against the Samsung SM3 and the recently updated Hyundai Avante and the K3 KOUP locks on against the Avante Coupe, this K3 EURO loves to play hide and seek against the Hyundai i30.

Check your records though because the new K3 EURO offers more wheelbase and length than the i30 but it's a bit shorter than the i30 by about 20mm. Based on the looks it looks more convincing than the i30 but no matter what, it won't win you many friends like any Korean cars do.

2014 Kia K3 EURO interior

Like the K3 sedan, the EURO hatchback features a well-behaved interior which is as tech-savvy as a hipster carrying too much gadgets in her purse. One thing you'll may not now that for the new K3 EURO, there's an exclusive brown interior offered just to give the inside view a more coffee-like atmosphere which is as warm as visiting your granny's house. On the EURO, the rear seats are foldable to accommodate rear space for your luggage and oh, there's even a tonneau board behind which gives the interior a bit more sedan-like while stuff are under the tonneau. Sounds convenient but meh...

The only engine available on the K3 EURO, like the sedan counterpart, is the 1.6L Gamma GDi engine which produces about 140PS of power, 17kg-m of torque, and fuel economy of only 12.5km/L, while mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. It's even got ACTIVE ECO ASSIST and FLEX STEER as well but no matter what...its still has the "meh" reaction you'll be getting so...meh...

Available Colors: Milky Beige, Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl, Bright Silver, Glittering Metal, Golden Beat, Temptation Red, Planet Blue, and Abyss Blue.

So...this one or the Hyundai i30? Don't be daft but it's good fun finding out...

Photo: Kia Motors

Kia K3 Koup

Last year, Kia Motors shocked the world when their newest medium sedan, the K3, broke cover in the Autumn and served as the replacement to the Forte. Well, in some countries, the K3 was sold as either this, the Forte, or the Cerato. It maybe available only in sedan but for 2013, the K3 range expands with two additional body styles such as the hatchback called K3 EURO (to come out late this year) and then this...

2014 Kia K3 Koup

Debuted since the 2013 New York Auto Show, the new generation KOUP, now based on the K3, features European styling and performance to match with the 1.6 Turbo GDi engine. Wait, did you say turbo? Well, since the new model's turbocharged, the K3 KOUP is officially THE MOST POWERFUL KOUP EVER. Amazingly, this is the sort of engine as expected from the Veloster Turbo and let's explain why this new model's turbocharged.

2014 Kia K3 Koup

Well, the brand new 1.6 T-GDi engine offered on the new K3 Koup develops about 204PS of power and 27.0kg-m of torque. With about that stats, that's more powerful than the outgoing model and more importantly, more than the non-turbo model, which you can have one on the entry-level model. In terms of transmission types; you can have either a flappy-paddle gearbox or for the spartan ones, a 6-speed manual gearbox. What luck indeed, a 204PS engine mated with a 6-speed manual is just what this car needs. Although may not be a decent alternative to today's hot hatch, it's still worth trying to impress its owners but sadly, this is a Korean car and Korean cars are harder to impress than its European rivals so it may take some tough love getting to know more about the new KOUP.

To explain what I'm on about, I'm using both the Peugeot 208 GTi and the 2014MY Scion tC as the basis on what's what on the new KOUP. First of all, the new K3 KOUP weighs about 1,305kg or about 2877lbs, meaning that it weighs more than the 208 GTi but a few kilos lighter than the 2014 tC with the manual gearbox on it. Sure, all three have manual gearboxes but let's not forget that this new KOUP got more power than the 208 GTi or the 2014 Scion tC because of its 204PS power output. That seems legit but enough about that, what about how they drive?

2014 Kia K3 Koup interior

Well, if you are in the 208 GTi, it feels a bit more enjoyable thanks to its 3-door shape and its European handling but if you're in the tC, this is a totally different story because it feels a bit harsh in every direction. So, what's like on the new KOUP? Hmmm... Well, it may have the right tools, the right turbo engine for the enthusiasts, the right gearbox for the enthusiasts but let's be honest, this is a bit too odd to drive one even for a Korean-made car like this. It feels a bit rough, the steering's vague, the ride feels like you're in the economy section of Delta Airlines, and overall, it's not quite insane enough to be a "speedo boy" trend-setter. Even when you fickle its FLEX STEER setting to SPORT, it's not quite a "player" even when you thrash this around like a West Side gangster.

So, there we are, the new K3 KOUP. This new model proves that it has the right elements to succeed as a front-wheel drive sportscar rigged with a turbocharged GDi engine and a standard 6-speed manual but for a keen driver, these right elements hasn't been put into use just yet because there's been a long road ahead for the new K3 KOUP.

Available colors: Snow White Pearl, Bright Silver, Racing Red, Abyss Blue, Metal Stream, and Aurora Black Pearl.

Photo: Kia Motors

Kia K3

2013 Kia K3

THE VALUABLE 3

This is the very latest global mid-size compact sedan from Kia, the K3. Astonishing, isn't it? And that's not something you can say about many of its efforts from the last few years. The Sephia (1992-2000) for instance kinda feels like a Toyota Corolla but with a bit too Korean hallyu on it. At some point, I think that South Korea in the 1990's brought out odd advertising on cars, that's for sure. The Spectra (2000-2003) is one of my favorite mid-sized Kias probably back in 2002, Korean actress Jang Na-Ra even endorses it. However, the interior kinda feels like a 1995 Mitsubishi Lancer (the one with the pizza-shaped rear lamps on it), I'm still not satisfied with it. The Cerato (2003-2008) is a bit blur, it's a bit confusing, and it's a bit too...misleading. Lastly, the Forte (2008-2012) seems to be striking the right note probably because of the birth of the new Tiger Nose, designed by Peter Schreyer, that adorned most Kia models from the present and the future, but sadly, it's a bit too obvious, too weird, and undeniably boring. No wonder the slogan for the Forte "Luxury 1.6" is too misleading, thinking that this mid-size car has the comfort of a luxury car.

2013 Kia K3

This one though, it's just right. Although it may look like a Renault Samsung SM3 because the exterior kinda looks like the SM3 but it seems that Kia finally manages to balance it out the combination of compact and luxury in this package. It's compact meets luxury with a bit of Oppa Gangnam Style on it. Also, it has a Gamma 1.6L Direct Injected (GDi) engine from the Hyundai Avante MD, which produces about 140PS of power, 17kg-m of torque, and fuel economy ranging from 14.0km/L to 16.7km/L, all mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Sadly, I don't think I'm going to accept the one with the paddle shifters on it because they don't work normally. Also, they even fitted with Active Eco Assist and Idle Stop & Go which doesn't make any sense at all, although Kia says these will help with the fuel consumption but really?

2013 Kia K3

And then, the Kia K3 is the first ever Kia to be fitted to the one first seen on the new Hyundai i30, which is called the Flex Steer. The default setting is NORMAL but when I set it to COMFORT, it feels more comfortable, like a luxury car. Ideal if I am driving on normal roads and city streets but when I set it to SPORT, the K3 is getting more responsive in the handling department and it gets more agile, more precise and with a bit more feel. COMFORT, NORMAL, and SPORT, these are three modes that came from the i30-derived FLEX STEER.

2013 Kia K3 interior

On the inside, the K3 is even more better than the previous Kia midsize sedans of yesteryears and most of the Kia peripherals of the other Kia K-sedans were there such as this instrumental cluster with high visibility, heated steering wheel, an optional DMB navigation, and some other stuff that made the K3's interior more luxurious. Sounds intriguing and then this is just another Kia that comes with the Kia UVO telematics system, first applied on the Kia K9 flagship sedan. Much like Hyundai's BlueLink first applied on the new Santa Fe, it allows the user to use the smartphone as a carkey to start the engine, open or close doors, and it can ever monitor your car. Imagine if someone stole your K3 unexpectedly, it seems that all hope is not lost because thanks to UVO, you can monitor where your K3's going and for the fun of it...immobilizer so the carnapper won't think that it's slowing down and then it stopped, confusing the carnapper to get away and then get hammered by the cops. Sounds juicy, but does it worth it? I believe not because it's just an option to have Uvo on your Kia K3.

To sum up then, the Kia K3 is one ambitious but rubbish new age global midsize sedan from Kia and this Korean car is promised to sweep the world market with its sense of Hallyu (Korean wave) but when exported globally, it would either be called a Cerato or a Forte or whatever you may want to call it. Sadly though, the new K3 will not come in Europe, where the cee-apostrophe-d takes place. This car is all about THE POWER OF THREE and I do believe this is more better looking than the Avante MD and this is a proper midsize sedan I really like.

AVAILABLE COLORS: Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl, Bright Silver, Glittering Metal, Golden Beat, Temptation Red, Planet Blue, and Abyss Blue.

PRICE LIST (at South Korean Won/KRW):

K3 1.6 GDI 디럭스 M/T - ₩13,450,000

K3 1.6 GDI 디럭스 A/T - ₩14,920,000

K3 1.6 GDI 럭셔리 A/T - ₩16,770,000

K3 1.6 GDI 프레스티지 A/T - ₩18,410,000

K3 1.6 GDI 노블레스 - ₩19,390,000

K3 1.6 GDI 럭셔리 ECO PLUS A/T - ₩17,880,000

Photo: Kia Motors

Welcome Back: 2010 Kia Forte Koup SX

The front face of the Kia Forte Koup

When the Kia Forte Koup featured in FM3, this car served as the first-ever Kia car to be ever featured on the video game. I repeat, THE FIRST EVER KIA TO BE FEATURED ON A VIDEO GAME. That's it. So, the Kia Forte Koup (기아 포르테 쿱), how's it feel for the first ever Kia featured on the video game returned on Forza Motorsport 4? Well, for some reason, I wasn't quite different enough to approach with this car made in Korea but for some Filipinos who love Korean-made cars, they consider to be a bit too soon. Even with its performance-inspired, aggressive and sleek styling, it's nowhere near as good as its rivals such as the Scion tC or even the Honda Civic Si but I am glad that this car does well, brilliantly. Summing up this car then is hard because let's be honest, there are several very good reasons why some didn't get the memo of driving the Kia Forte Koup but there is one very good reason why I should...I LIKE IT!!!

Kia Forte Koup - Forza 3 Owner's View

Are you the Forte Koup GDI?

The first Kia to be made it
on Forza 3!

It may be a Civic Si clone,
but this Korean is worth it!

Final Impressions: Over the years, not even a single Kia car made it on the racing video games not until July 2010 when Forza Motorsport 3 placed the Kia Forte Koup, launched since June 2009, in the World Class Car Pack, making the Kia Forte Koup the first Kia car that made it on the racing video games and Forza 3 was its first to feature this car!

Known in some countries as the Cerato Koup or as the Shuma in China, the Forte Koup is the sportiest Kia ever made to outwit the likes of the USDM Honda Civic Si Coupe, even when the Forte Koup was just a Korean clone car of the USDM Honda Civic Si Coupe! orz

Despite the Kia Forte Koup is not powerful enough, it can be a perfect car to decorate whatever they want. They can also duplicate the Kia Kinetic Motorsports Forte Koup Race Car as well, which can be a bigger deal.

Because the Kia Forte Koup is classified as a sports car, this is the first Kia car that ever made it on the racing games, and Forza Motorsport 3 is the first racing video game to feature this Kia! Congratulations. Looks like the Kia Forte Koup is truly a world class Korean FF sports car after all.

Kia K5 and Forte GDi Hatchback in Athena

With Athena: Goddess of War ended in SBS a few weeks ago, and waiting for to be aired in some countries including Japan, Hong Kong, USA, or even the Philippines (we want to see it on our TV sets soon!), it might be best for me to remember that Kia Motors collaborated with Athena for some collaboration TV commercials. Kia K5 (known worldwide as the new Optima) and the Forte GDi hatchback were shown on these special commercials, even they were featured on the coolest TV drama.

If both of these Kia models (the K5 and the Forte Hatchback) and the TV drama arrived in the Philippines soon, we can all enjoy those action-packed moments!

Kia Forte Hybrid LPI

With the Hyundai Avante LPI Hybrid shown to the Korean market a few moments ago, now it's Kia Motors' turn to change the world the same way as its Hyundai rival did. From Forte to Forte Koup, meet the eco-friendly side of the Forte that is powered with the world's first LPI Hybrid engine.

Much ado from Kia's hybrid philosophy, Eco Dynamics, this Korean hybrid machine can be a potential car suitable for Kia fans everywhere and it's the perfect addition for the Kia Forte line-up which consists of the sedan and the sporty 2-door Koup variant.

To shake things up, the exterior is based on the Forte sedan variant, but what capture the true beauty of the Forte Hybrid LPI is the bright colours, the Eco Dynamics badge at the left side of the "Peter Schreyer grille" and the sporty rear lamps that look similar to some sports cars ever known.

From the stylish exterior, this hybrid machine is filled with the powerful Liquefied Petroleum Injection 1.6-litre Gamma hybrid engine with the economical power of just 114ps@5800rpm at the fuel economy of about 17.8km/L. Try to compare this fuel economy to the regular Forte and the rival Honda Civic, the results are worth the surprise. From the engine to the Continuously Variable Transmission, from the electric motor to the ion battery, there is only one unique feature to the Forte Hybrid LPI, the idling stop system (which is familiar to the new Mazda 3's i-stop system) that allows the car to save more gas on the state of idling.

HOW WAS IT?

With the rivalry between Kia & Hyundai reached to its greener point (forget boiling point, we are talking green), most consumers would think twice when choosing between the Avante LPI Hybrid from Hyundai and the Forte Hybrid LPI from Kia. It's like the Korean version of the battle between the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight, but this time, things are going to change differently when it reached the worldwide sales. What really gets me is the pricing for the both of them, it's like they reached the same 1,000,000 peso pricing as estimated, but promise them, they will be mostly fierce opponents and before you know it, you got to try them for the verdict.