2020 Kia KX3 Is A Rebadged Seltos For The Chinese Market, Electric K3 Goes Official Too

Kia has retired the outgoing KX3, replacing it with a new generation, which has been presented at the 2019 Guangzhou Auto Show.

Known as the Seltos in other markets, the small crossover sports a few minor updates at the front and rear, while retaining the same interior layout, along with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and Sound Mood Lighting.

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The American Seltos is offered with two engines, a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated one with 146 hp and a 1.6-liter turbo rated at 175 hp, both of them paired to a 7-speed DCT. In the People’s Republic, the KX3 is powered by the 113 hp (115 PS / 85 kW) 1.5-liter gasoline burner, matched to an 8-speed auto, and returns a combined 43.6 mpg US (5.4 l/100 km).

Features such as the Driver Attention Warning, Forward Collision Assist and electric parking brake, part of the Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, are also included, alongside the UVO Connect telematics system.

Going electric

In addition to the KX3, Kia has also pulled the cover off the battery-electric version of the K3 – aka Forte in North America. The sedan is on display at the Guangzhou Auto Show as well and is limited to the Chinese market, where it joins the ICE and PHEV models. Specs have yet to be announced, and from the only image released by the Korean automaker, it looks pretty much the same to the rest of the lineup.

Dropping jaws at the same event that runs from November 22 to December 1 is the Futuron Concept (pictured in the gallery), which explores a new design direction, while also offering a glimpse into the brand’s future EVs. The show car is fitted with Level 4 autonomous driving, which means that it can operate on its own in all scenarios, but retains the steering wheel and pedals, in case the person sitting in the driver’s seat wants to take over.