I have been to Korea a couple of times before, but I do not personally like the place. Perhaps it's because I'm there mainly for work and never for leisure, hence I do not get to enjoy the pop and fashion culture that have led to her rising popularity.
As a matter of fact, I enjoy Japan so much more, even if, again, I'm there for work purposes only. The Japanese have got more finesse and their attention to details is simply impeccable. In short, they are somewhat smoother around the edges compared to the Koreans.
While this notion can be related to the cars these two countries produce a decade ago, it's completely untrue today.
The Koreans, both Hyundai and Kia, of late have been creating cars that are not only pleasing to the eyes, they are also jammed packed with standard features that will leave you wondering if the Japanese are genuinely giving you a run for your money.
Up close and Personal
With its nicely sculpted sheet metal and a sporty profile that wouldn't look shabby at a parking lot, the latest Kia is an eye pleaser. Aesthetically speaking, the car remains at 4,560mm long and 1,780mm wide. But because the grille has been tweaked to resemble the bigger Optima and its headlamps have been streamlined and stretched, the K3 looks wider than its predecessor.
Taillights as well as bumpers have also been updated. Kia has done away with the awkward-looking 'tubes' and has adopted a more modernised V-shaped LED design at the back.
As a matter of fact, I enjoy Japan so much more, even if, again, I'm there for work purposes only. The Japanese have got more finesse and their attention to details is simply impeccable. In short, they are somewhat smoother around the edges compared to the Koreans.
While this notion can be related to the cars these two countries produce a decade ago, it's completely untrue today.
The Koreans, both Hyundai and Kia, of late have been creating cars that are not only pleasing to the eyes, they are also jammed packed with standard features that will leave you wondering if the Japanese are genuinely giving you a run for your money.
Up close and Personal
With its nicely sculpted sheet metal and a sporty profile that wouldn't look shabby at a parking lot, the latest Kia is an eye pleaser. Aesthetically speaking, the car remains at 4,560mm long and 1,780mm wide. But because the grille has been tweaked to resemble the bigger Optima and its headlamps have been streamlined and stretched, the K3 looks wider than its predecessor.
Taillights as well as bumpers have also been updated. Kia has done away with the awkward-looking 'tubes' and has adopted a more modernised V-shaped LED design at the back.
On first glance, the cabin carries over largely unchanged, with similar-looking centre stack and the 'wavy' design on the passenger end of the dashboard. However, on closer look, an impeccable attention to detail has been paid to the cabin to further ensure its bang-for-buck proposition.
Apart from the introduction of new materials to the door trims as well as dashboard and sporting a higher quality finished gear knob, the K3 now comes with a new front passenger seat ventilation - something that was only available for the driver previously. What's also new is the Drive Mode Select that allows you to toggle between Eco, Normal and Sport mode to suit your needs and wants according to your driving mood.
Strangely, though, the test car doesn't come with FlexSteer like it's predecessor, where you can adjust the steering effort via a three-mode (Comfort/Normal/Sport) button on the steering wheel.
Apart from the introduction of new materials to the door trims as well as dashboard and sporting a higher quality finished gear knob, the K3 now comes with a new front passenger seat ventilation - something that was only available for the driver previously. What's also new is the Drive Mode Select that allows you to toggle between Eco, Normal and Sport mode to suit your needs and wants according to your driving mood.
Strangely, though, the test car doesn't come with FlexSteer like it's predecessor, where you can adjust the steering effort via a three-mode (Comfort/Normal/Sport) button on the steering wheel.
The Drive
The 1.6-litre powerplant here is a decent piece of work and it pairs harmoniously with the tofu smooth six-speed automatic transmission. You sense the 127bhp and 157Nm of torque sent to the front wheels when you pedal to the metal off the line at the lights, with no trace of wrong gear work at any point in time.
As such, ducking in and out of traffic around town or performing overtaking manoeuvres on the highway is a cinch. The Kia K3 is no firecracker, granted, but it's agile and light on its feet and it certainly won't leave you exposed to danger when overtaking is needed.
And once you're up to speed, the car deals well with imperfect road conditions, sending little or no vibrations to the cabin and keeping unwanted noises well at bay.
The biggest setback here, however, is the fact that the steering is far too light for enthusiastic driving. Not a need to complain, though, because this does make light work in slow moving traffic or when driving around in a multi-storey carpark.
The 1.6-litre powerplant here is a decent piece of work and it pairs harmoniously with the tofu smooth six-speed automatic transmission. You sense the 127bhp and 157Nm of torque sent to the front wheels when you pedal to the metal off the line at the lights, with no trace of wrong gear work at any point in time.
As such, ducking in and out of traffic around town or performing overtaking manoeuvres on the highway is a cinch. The Kia K3 is no firecracker, granted, but it's agile and light on its feet and it certainly won't leave you exposed to danger when overtaking is needed.
And once you're up to speed, the car deals well with imperfect road conditions, sending little or no vibrations to the cabin and keeping unwanted noises well at bay.
The biggest setback here, however, is the fact that the steering is far too light for enthusiastic driving. Not a need to complain, though, because this does make light work in slow moving traffic or when driving around in a multi-storey carpark.
Conclusion
For dealers, the problem with such a segment is that buyers can easily find a better alternative. In this case, there's the segment-leading Toyota Altis, the punchy Volkswagen Jetta, its closer cousin the Hyundai Elantra or even the recently launched handsome-looking Honda Civic.
But at $103,999 (as of 24th August 2016), not only is the Kia Cerato Forte K3 the most affordable, it is packed with so many features that it's simply hard to ignore. So, is the Korean carmaker giving you a run for your money?
You bet...
For dealers, the problem with such a segment is that buyers can easily find a better alternative. In this case, there's the segment-leading Toyota Altis, the punchy Volkswagen Jetta, its closer cousin the Hyundai Elantra or even the recently launched handsome-looking Honda Civic.
But at $103,999 (as of 24th August 2016), not only is the Kia Cerato Forte K3 the most affordable, it is packed with so many features that it's simply hard to ignore. So, is the Korean carmaker giving you a run for your money?
You bet...
