Quick Takeaways
- Kia achieved its highest-ever US sales volume in 2025, driven primarily by SUVs and hybrid models rather than pure EVs.
- Despite overall growth, declining EV sales and delayed launches signal a cautious recalibration of Kia’s near-term electrification strategy.
Recently, recently, Kia record US sales in 2025 marked a major milestone for the brand, crossing the 800,000-unit threshold for the first time. While overall momentum remained strong across SUVs and hybrids, Kia’s electric vehicle performance moved in the opposite direction, highlighting a notable shift in the automaker’s near-term electrification strategy.
Kia America closed 2025 with total US sales of 852,155 vehicles, securing its third consecutive record year and its highest-ever market share in the country. The company attributed this growth to a balanced product portfolio that continues to resonate with American buyers, particularly in the SUV and hybrid segments.
Kia record US sales in 2025 driven by strong SUV and hybrid demand
Four Kia models delivered their best-ever annual sales performances during the year:
Electrified vehicle sales increased by 24 percent year over year, but hybrids accounted for most of this growth rather than battery electric vehicles. This trend underscores how consumer demand in the US is currently favoring flexibility and efficiency over full electrification.
Sportage leads Kia record US sales in 2025 performance
The Sportage emerged as Kia’s top-performing model, benefiting from its availability across gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid configurations. Nearly 183,000 Sportage units were sold in 2025, representing a 13 percent increase compared with the previous year. Its multi-powertrain approach played a critical role in sustaining volume growth.
By contrast, Kia’s dedicated electric models experienced sharp declines. EV9 sales totaled 15,501 units in 2025, down 32 percent year over year, while EV6 sales fell 40 percent to 12,933 units. These figures indicate mounting challenges for EV adoption despite broader sales success.
Delayed electric launches reshape Kia’s US EV roadmap
Looking ahead, Kia expects upcoming models such as the next-generation Telluride and the K4 hatchback to support sales momentum in 2026. However, several electric vehicles previously anticipated for the US market have been delayed. The EV4 electric sedan and the high-performance EV9 GT variant are now postponed indefinitely.
Existing electric SUVs received only limited updates for the 2026 model year. The EV6 underwent a significant refresh in 2025, adding extended driving range, refreshed interior and exterior design, and compatibility with NACS charging infrastructure. Despite these improvements, broader EV expansion remains cautious.
Kia’s leadership has suggested that a compact electric SUV could still arrive in the US in 2026, but uncertainty around policy changes and import tariffs continues to cloud the outlook. Similar market pressures have already influenced decisions around other planned EV launches.
As Kia record US sales in 2025 demonstrate, the brand’s current growth is being fueled by hybrids and high-demand SUVs, while its EV strategy adapts to shifting market realities. Meanwhile, its sister brand Hyundai continues to post strong US sales gains as local production scales up, reinforcing the importance of manufacturing footprint and regulatory alignment in the evolving automotive landscape."
Kia America closed 2025 with total US sales of 852,155 vehicles, securing its third consecutive record year and its highest-ever market share in the country. The company attributed this growth to a balanced product portfolio that continues to resonate with American buyers, particularly in the SUV and hybrid segments.
Kia record US sales in 2025 driven by strong SUV and hybrid demand
Four Kia models delivered their best-ever annual sales performances during the year:
- Carnival
- Sportage
- Telluride
- K4
Electrified vehicle sales increased by 24 percent year over year, but hybrids accounted for most of this growth rather than battery electric vehicles. This trend underscores how consumer demand in the US is currently favoring flexibility and efficiency over full electrification.
Sportage leads Kia record US sales in 2025 performance
The Sportage emerged as Kia’s top-performing model, benefiting from its availability across gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid configurations. Nearly 183,000 Sportage units were sold in 2025, representing a 13 percent increase compared with the previous year. Its multi-powertrain approach played a critical role in sustaining volume growth.
By contrast, Kia’s dedicated electric models experienced sharp declines. EV9 sales totaled 15,501 units in 2025, down 32 percent year over year, while EV6 sales fell 40 percent to 12,933 units. These figures indicate mounting challenges for EV adoption despite broader sales success.
Delayed electric launches reshape Kia’s US EV roadmap
Looking ahead, Kia expects upcoming models such as the next-generation Telluride and the K4 hatchback to support sales momentum in 2026. However, several electric vehicles previously anticipated for the US market have been delayed. The EV4 electric sedan and the high-performance EV9 GT variant are now postponed indefinitely.
Existing electric SUVs received only limited updates for the 2026 model year. The EV6 underwent a significant refresh in 2025, adding extended driving range, refreshed interior and exterior design, and compatibility with NACS charging infrastructure. Despite these improvements, broader EV expansion remains cautious.
Kia’s leadership has suggested that a compact electric SUV could still arrive in the US in 2026, but uncertainty around policy changes and import tariffs continues to cloud the outlook. Similar market pressures have already influenced decisions around other planned EV launches.
As Kia record US sales in 2025 demonstrate, the brand’s current growth is being fueled by hybrids and high-demand SUVs, while its EV strategy adapts to shifting market realities. Meanwhile, its sister brand Hyundai continues to post strong US sales gains as local production scales up, reinforcing the importance of manufacturing footprint and regulatory alignment in the evolving automotive landscape."
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