- The all-new Telluride achieves best-ever quarterly sales just as nationwide availability ramps up, marking a 20-percent year-over-year increase
- Sportage, Carnival and K4 set new first quarter sales records in key industry segments
- Sales of Kia's hybrid models and electrified models set new first quarter sales records marking 73- and 30-percent increases, respectively, over the same period last year
IRVINE, Calif., April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia America sold a total of 207,015 vehicles in the first quarter of 2026, achieving the highest first quarter sales in the company's history. This represents a 4 percent increase year-over-year, underscoring Kia's continued steady growth despite uncertain market conditions.
Telluride sales rose 20 percent year-over-year, with the second-generation model driving first-quarter volume to 35,928 units - the highest quarterly result in the vehicle's history. The all-new Telluride has continued its strong momentum, recording monthly sales of over 13,000 units for two consecutive months following its launch. Moreover, Sportage (+8 percent); Carnival (+9 percent); and K4 (+1 percent) - posted first quarter sales records.
The brand's hybrid and electrified models also set new first quarter sales records as Kia's hybrid models saw a 73 percent increase - for the highest quarterly hybrid sales total in company history; while sales of electrified models increased 30 percent compared to the same period last year - marking the best-ever first quarter sales total for Kia's electrified vehicles.
"Kia continues to see strong customer demand and steady growth, leading to our best-ever first quarter sales total," said Eric Watson, vice president, sales operations, Kia America. "The all-new 2027 Kia Telluride has been well received by U.S. automotive media and is a key addition to the success we are seeing across our lineup of sedans, SUVs and electrified models. As we expand Telluride production capacity in the U.S., including the introduction of a new Turbo-Hybrid powertrain, we believe there is meaningful opportunity to further grow our share in one of the largest and most important automotive segments."
In addition to the monthly sales performance, Kia America also made additional announcements, including:
- U.S. News & World Report awarded the 2026 Kia Carnival the "Best Minivan for Families" in its "Best Cars for Families" annual awards program. This win marks the seventh year in a row that at least one Kia vehicle has earned this honor.
- "Sea Lion", the second installment of the creative campaign for the all-new 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid SUV began broadcasting on network and local stations. As the first hybrid vehicle to be assembled in the state of Georgia, the second-generation Telluride combines confident performance and acceleration with outstanding efficiency and segment up comfort and convenience.
- IONNA, the EV Charging joint venture born of eight leading automakers celebrated its second anniversary. In just 24 months, IONNA has more than 4,700 bays contracted nationwide, with nearly 1,500 currently in construction.
MONTH OF MARCH | YEAR-TO-DATE | |||
Model | 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 |
EV9 | 1,247 | 1,164 | 2,740 | 3,756 |
EV6 | 883 | 921 | 2,023 | 3,738 |
K4/Forte | 13,714 | 13,719 | 37,220 | 37,004 |
K5 | 6,477 | 6,399 | 18,806 | 15,747 |
Soul | 543 | 3,717 | 3,299 | 11,277 |
Niro | 2,502 | 2,431 | 7,455 | 5,118 |
Seltos | 5,212 | 4,828 | 14,699 | 11,375 |
Sportage | 16,819 | 16,872 | 44,704 | 41,301 |
Sorento | 8,858 | 10,547 | 21,510 | 25,117 |
Telluride | 13,306 | 11,473 | 35,928 | 29,843 |
Carnival | 6,947 | 6,469 | 18,631 | 14,574 |
Total | 76,508 | 78,540 | 207,015 | 198,850 |
Kia America - about us
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys. Kia is recognized as one of the TIME World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2025. Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and WNBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including several SUVs proudly assembled in America*.
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* Select trims of the 2025 all-electric EV6 and EV9 all-electric three-row SUV, Sportage (excludes HEV and PHEV models), Sorento (excludes HEV and PHEV models), and Telluride are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.
SOURCE Kia America
