Kia Sportage used to be a simple car. In the mid-1990s, it was called a compact SUV, and combined items such as all-wheel-drive system and turbo-diesel engine to flashy colors, very rounded design and, eventually, a convertible version with only two doors. The midsize brother, in turn, worked as a no-frills option for those who wanted plenty of space with a sportier look than a minivan’s. This system started to change in 2004, because Sportage lost most of its earlier qualities after becoming a rebadged Hyundai Tucson, but there was much more to come. Peter Schreyer came, and performed an extensive work to make the Koreans stand out in the crowd. In order to make them such “fashion icons”, they became bigger and more expensive than ever.
One could say that Soul was able to fill at least part of the market gap created by such evolution, considering that it arrived in a time when the crossover market wasn’t as strongly established as now, but even this one drifted apart: Kia wanted its second generation to compete with premium hatchbacks. Therefore, there was another market gap to fill, but this time it would be easy: Hyundai has started to take care of it a few months ago, with the release of ix25. Since the company’s corporate policy states that all segments in which they work (there are exceptions) must have a fancier and more futuristic Hyundai and a sportier and more objective Kia counterpart, here it is. KX3 uses the very same platform as the last two, but is smaller than the first and simpler than the other.
Following the automaker’s continuous attempt to conquer more Western buyers, the new vehicle looks as if it was designed by Ford or Opel. The front fascia features a quite discreet interpretation of Kia’s design language, placing the headlights very high in order to look imponent, but using a short grille to avoid a proportion mishap like those of Chevrolet Spark and Hyundai Eon. From the roof in contrasting colors to the very strong lower crease, the sides are a pot-pourri of visual elements which crossovers from all over the world have used in the past few years. You will remember that this is a Kia by looking at the rear fascia, because the upper part was heavily inspired by Sportage. The lower one, in turn, uses sections in both black and silver, and a double exhaust tip to add a hint of sportiness.
KX3’s cabin is a simplified version of what the latest Kias have showed. The room uses two-tone trim, few inserts in piano black and others in chrome, and a medium-sized touchscreen at the central stack – although there are many functions still controlled by buttons. According to the standard of its category, the equipment list will include LEDs for daytime lighting, automatic climate control, keyless-entry and start system, rearview camera, panoramic sunroof and personalization options such as the secondary color for the roof. Just like ix25, this vehicle will be sold only in China, at least for now. It’ll use two 1.6 engines that burn gasoline, one of them making 123 hp and the other, thanks to the T-GDi technology, 200 hp. The latter will use a dual-clutch, seven-speed transmission.