Update: A Kia spokesperson responded to our inquiry about the K3, saying “Kia US has made no official announcement regarding K3 and has no further comment at this time.”

Kia’s small car lineup in the US has been limited to the Forte and Rio models since they were introduced in the mid-2000s. However, Kia has now unveiled a new small sedan called the K3 for the Mexico market. With Kia renaming and refreshing its US lineup, there is speculation that the K3 could potentially replace both the Forte and Rio models.

In terms of size, the K3 sits between the subcompact Rio and the compact Forte. It measures 178.9 inches in length, making it larger than the Rio (172.6 inches) but slightly smaller than the Forte (182.7 inches). The K3 also offers 19.2 cubic feet of cargo space, compared to the Rio sedan’s 13.4 cubic feet and the Forte’s 15.3 cubic feet.

If the new Kia K3 looks familiar, it’s because it shares several design elements with the larger K5 sedan. The headlights framed by Kia’s signature Tiger Nose grille and the full-width taillight bar on the rear are reminiscent of the K5. Additionally, the K3 has a “fastback-style” silhouette similar to the K5 and the EV6 electric vehicle.

The interior of the K3 aligns with the rest of Kia’s lineup. It features a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster screen and a 10.3-inch touchscreen that are integrated under a single piece of glass extending from the driver’s side to the center console. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included as standard.

Powering the K3 are two engine options: a 1.6-liter four-cylinder and a more powerful 2.0-liter option. The smaller engine produces 122 horsepower, while the larger 2.0-liter engine, exclusive to the GT-Line trim, delivers 150 horsepower. The 1.6-liter engine is available with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, while the 2.0-liter engine is paired with a six-speed manual exclusively.

The K3 was initially unveiled in Mexico, where it will be manufactured. However, it remains unclear whether the small sedan will be officially introduced as a replacement for the Forte in the US. Given that Kia has rebranded the Forte as the K3 in markets outside of the US and has recently renamed the Optima as the K5, it wouldn’t be surprising if the K3 eventually makes its way to the US under the same name. More information is expected to be released by Kia in the coming months.