Sedans are far from dead
It’s been a record-breaking first half of the year for Kia America. The company has reported total sales of 416,511 units for the first six months of 2025, up by 8% and the most vehicles the manufacturer has sold over this period. Retail sales were also up 12% year-on-year for the Korean marque.
Two things stand out when looking more closely at the numbers. Firstly, four specific models from different segments saw their best-ever first-half sales. And secondly, Kia’s sedan sales are growing at a much faster rate than SUVs, which is quite an achievement in these crossover-obsessed times.
Huge Growth For K5 Sedan
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The four models with the best-ever first-half sales are the Carnival (up by a whopping 57% compared to the same period last year), K4 (+7%), Sportage (+9%), and Telluride (+15%). So far this year, Kia’s most popular individual model is the Sportage, with sales of 87,172 units. It was followed by the K4/Forte (75,535), Telluride (61,502), and K5 (34,565). The Carnival minivan hit 33,152 units.
Like Honda and Toyota, Kia is demonstrating continued support for sedans. The brand has 11 different models on sale in the United States, yet its two sedans both make the top five of its best-seller list. The mid-size K5’s sales grew by an impressive 170%, one of the biggest increases for any model, and looking at all Kia sedans, sales are up by 29% year-on-year (compared to 9% for SUVs).
Related: These 5 Cars Are Quietly Dominating Sales in 2025
Hybrid Sales Up, EVs Down
Kia
Reflecting a broader trend of hybrids gaining traction, Kia said its hybrid models surged by 70% year-over-year. The same can’t be said for the brand’s EVs; EV9 sales declined by a whopping 49%, while EV6 sales dropped by 46%. Fortunately, these declines were by far outweighed by the improved sales for gas and hybrid models.
“Our core models including Carnival, Telluride, Sportage, and K4, continue to set sales records,” said SeungKyu (Sean) Yoon, president and CEO of Kia North America and Kia America. “Coupled with the steady sales growth generated by our electrified and hybrid models along with the continued rollout of the 2026 EV9 Nightfall Edition and the newly introduced EV9 GT-Line featuring a two-tone roof, we expect this positive sales trajectory to continue. In the second half of 2025 Kia will remain agile in our response to changing market conditions and steadfast in our commitment to delivering products and services that meet the expectations of US consumers.”
In early 2026, Kia’s first all-electric global sedan will go on sale. Called the EV4, perhaps this sedan is just what Kia needs to reignite interest in its EV lineup.