Kia had another record-breaking sales year in the US, selling over 800,000 vehicles for the first time. Despite higher hybrid and SUV sales, Kia’s EVs told a different story.
Kia pulls back on EVs despite record US sales in 2025
Kia America sold a total of 852,155 vehicles in 2025, its third straight year of record sales and the first time it crossed the 800,000 mark in the US.
The accomplishment was enough to push Kia to its highest-ever US market share. The Korean automaker credited its diverse model lineup for the growth.
Four Kia models, the Carnival, Sportage, Telluride, and K4, posted record annual sales in 2025. Although Kia’s electrified sales rose 24% last year, it was hybrids that drove the growth.
The Sportage, now available with gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains, delivered the best annual performance of any Kia model. Kia
While Kia sold nearly 183,000 Sportage SUVs last year alone, up 13% from 2024, sales of the all-electric EV9 and EV6 dropped considerably year over year.
Kia sold just 15,501 EV9s and 12,933 EV6s in the US in 2025, down 32% and 40%, respectively, from the previous year.
While Kia expects new vehicles, like the 2027 Telluride and K4 hatchback, to continue driving growth in 2026, the US will miss out on a few new EVs that were expected to arrive.
The EV4, Kia’s first electric sedan, and the high-performance EV9 GT variant have been delayed until further notice.
Kia’s current electric SUVs, the EV6 and EV9, had minimal updates for 2026. The EV6 underwent a major update in 2025, boasting a longer driving range, improved style inside and out, and an added NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers.
Although the US likely won’t see the EV4 this year, Kia’s marketing boss, Russel Wager, hinted to Car and Driver on the sidelines of the LA Auto Show that Kia still plans to bring the EV3, its popular compact electric SUV, to the US in 2026.
Until Kia makes it official, though, it’s still just speculation. Given the policy changes in the US and tariffs on imports, the EV3 could suffer the same fate as the EV4.
Kia’s sister company, Hyundai, is also posting impressive growth in the US. Hyundai achieved its fifth straight record annual retail sales year in the US as it ramps up local production.
Want to see which Kia vehicles are available near you? Thinking about taking one for a test drive? You can use the links below to find models in your area.
- Kia EV9 near you
- Kia EV6 near you
- Kia Niro EV near you
- Kia Sportage PHEV near you
- Kia Sorento PHEV near you
Author: Peter Johnson
Source: Electrek
Reviewed By: Editorial Team
