by Korean automaker Kia set an absolute sales record in the US market, surpassing the mark of 800,000 cars per year. In total, 852,155 new vehicles of the brand were delivered to American buyers in 2025, which is 7% more than in the previous year, 2024. This is already the third consecutive year that the company has recorded record figures.
Key Growth Drivers
The main factor for success was the rapid growth in demand for several key models. The undisputed sales leader was the compact crossover Sportage, the number of units sold of which increased by 13% to 182,823. The minivan Carnival also demonstrated a significant leap, with its sales soaring by 44% — from 49,726 to 71,917 cars. Sedans K5 and the crossover Niro also sold noticeably better.
President and Chief Executive Officer of Kia North America Sean Yoon noted:
Our third consecutive absolute annual sales record, along with the highest US market share in history, are clear indicators of the strength of the Kia brand and the competitiveness of our models. And with the anticipated arrival in showrooms in the first quarter of the second-generation Telluride and the long-awaited K4 hatchback, as well as other new products, we expect this positive momentum to continue into the New Year and beyond.
Problematic Electric Vehicle Segment
However, not all models in Kia’s lineup can boast success. The most concern is caused by the sharp drop in sales of electric models. Sales of the electric SUV EV9 fell by 32%, and the compact crossover EV6 — by a full 40% compared to 2024. This trend was particularly noticeable in December, when EV6 sales decreased by almost 65%.
In December 2025, the company sold 75,003 cars in the USA, which is 2.3% more than in December 2024. The leader in monthly growth was the Niro with an increase of 75.5%, while the EV6 showed a decline of almost 65% compared to December 2024.
Sales Dynamics by Model
In addition to electric vehicles, a slight decrease in sales was also recorded for the compact models Soul and Seltos, as well as for the mid-size crossover Sorento. However, these declines were not significant enough to affect the overall positive result for the year.
Overall, Kia’s success in the American market can be explained by a successful combination of factors: the popularity of key internal combustion engine models such as the Sportage and Telluride, along with a surge in interest in the Carnival minivan. The brand’s future in the US looks optimistic given the planned release of updated and new models, which may compensate for current difficulties in the electric direction. The situation with EV9 and EV6 sales vividly illustrates the general challenges facing the electric vehicle industry, where competition is intensifying and the growth rate of consumer demand may differ from forecasts. At the same time, sustained demand for traditional models confirms that the transition to electric vehicles remains a gradual process for many buyers.
