SHERIDAN, WYOMING – January 9, 2026 – Kia America says it finished 2025 with its highest-ever annual sales total, reaching 852,155 units and passing the 800,000 mark for the first time. The company reports the result is a 7 percent increase over its previous record set in 2024, making this the third straight year it has posted an all-time annual record. For shoppers, the headline isn’t just “big number” energy: Kia is signaling that everyday favorites like Sportage, Telluride, and Carnival are still pulling demand, while electrified models are growing fast in the mix.
A Record Year, Now Three in a Row
Kia America says its 2025 total of 852,155 units represents a new high for the brand in the United States. The company also reports its retail sales through Kia dealers set a new record as well, increasing 5 percent over the previous high in 2024. It adds that retail sales have now grown for eight consecutive years, and that 2025 brought the brand’s highest-ever U.S. market share.
For consumers, that kind of multi-year momentum can matter because it often translates into a wider presence at dealerships, a more familiar lineup on the road, and a brand that’s trying to keep its story moving forward instead of standing still.
The Models That Carried the Biggest Wins
Kia says four models posted best-ever annual sales totals in 2025: Carnival, Sportage, Telluride, and K4. The company highlights Sportage in particular, saying the SUV delivered the all-time best annual performance by a Kia model. It also shares year-over-year increases for those record-setters: Carnival (+44 percent), Sportage (+13 percent), Telluride (+7 percent), and K4 (+1 percent).
That combination is interesting because it spans family needs and daily practicality. From minivan life to SUV life to compact sedan shoppers, Kia is pointing to steady demand across more than one kind of household.
Electrified Growth Shows Up in the Numbers
Kia says sales of all electrified models rose 24 percent in 2025, setting a new annual sales record for that category. The company also reports SUVs posted record-breaking annual totals with a 5 percent increase, while Kia sedan sales increased 13 percent year-over-year.
For drivers, this reads like a brand trying to meet people where they are: some shoppers want an electrified option, others want a traditional gas model, and many are simply choosing the body style that fits their daily routine. Kia’s message is that its “diverse model lineup” is part of what’s keeping demand strong.
What Kia’s Leadership Is Predicting Next
“Our third consecutive all-time annual sales record, coupled with our highest-ever U.S. market share, are clear indicators of the strength of the Kia brand and the competitiveness of our models,” said Sean Yoon, president and CEO, Kia North America and Kia America. “And with the second-generation Telluride and the highly anticipated K4 hatchback arriving in showrooms in the first quarter, and more new products on the way, we expect this positive momentum to continue into the New Year and beyond.”
That mention of what’s arriving in the first quarter is a reminder that sales stories don’t stay frozen in time. Kia is clearly aiming to keep attention on what comes next, not just what already happened in 2025.
Safety and “Most Anticipated” Headlines Add to the Momentum
Alongside the sales update, Kia also points to a few extra signals of confidence. The upcoming 2027 Kia Telluride was named among Newsweek’s 2026 Most Anticipated New Vehicles in the U.S. market, according to the company. Kia also says the 2026 Kia Sorento was awarded the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest safety rating, the 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) designation, for models built after September 2025.
Kia adds that five models earned a 2025 IIHS TSP+ rating: the 2026 Sorento (models built after September 2025), the 2026 Sportage (models built after May 2025), the 2025 K4 (models built after January 2025), the 2025 EV9, and the 2025 Telluride.
3 Ways This Matters for Car Shoppers Right Now
- If you’re comparing brands, Kia’s 2025 sales record suggests strong demand for its mainstream models like Sportage, Telluride, and Carnival, which can influence availability and model focus at dealers.
- If you’re shopping electrified, Kia’s reported 24 percent increase in electrified model sales signals that those options are becoming a bigger part of its real-world lineup, not a side project.
- If safety rankings are a deciding factor, Kia’s IIHS mentions for 2025 and the 2026 Sorento timing note (models built after September 2025) are the kind of detail worth keeping in mind while browsing trims and build dates.
Learn more at https://www.kia.com/us/en