Kia America Posts Record Year-to-Date Sales Through April 2026
Kia America delivered 72,703 vehicles in April 2026, a 3 percent dip versus the same month a year ago — a comparison made difficult by elevated April 2025 demand — but the headline number understates a broader story of structural momentum. Through the first four months of 2026, Kia has moved 279,718 units, a 2 percent gain over the same period in 2025 and a new year-to-date sales record for the brand.
The all-new 2027 Telluride led the charge, posting its highest April total in model history at 12,577 units, up 16 percent over the previous April record set just a year earlier. Five other models also set April records: Sportage Hybrid (+112 percent), Sorento Hybrid (+34 percent), K4 (+1 percent), EV9 (+481 percent), and EV6 (+11 percent).
The electrification story is the sharpest signal in the data. Total electrified sales rose 71 percent year-over-year in April, setting a new monthly record. Hybrid sales alone were up 97 percent. EV9’s 481 percent surge — from 232 units in April 2025 to 1,349 in April 2026 — reflects the model finding its footing in the market after a slow initial ramp. Year-to-date, Kia’s hybrid lineup is up 81 percent and total electrified sales are up 41 percent, both new records.
On a year-to-date basis, six models set new records: Sportage HEV (+117 percent), Sportage ICE (+5 percent), Telluride (+19 percent), Carnival (+16 percent), Sorento HEV (+7 percent), and K4 (+1 percent).
“Achieving record sales milestones amid challenging market conditions highlights the company’s ability to align with customers’ evolving preferences for SUVs and hybrid vehicles,” said Eric Watson, vice president of sales operations at Kia America. Watson pointed to the 2027 Telluride’s first-ever available hybrid powertrain as a key driver, alongside the recent New York Auto Show introductions of the Seltos and EV3 as signals of continued market share growth ahead.
Two additional announcements accompanied the monthly report. The 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid earned the top spot in the Compact SUV category in Cars.com’s 2026 Best Value New Cars awards. Separately, IONNA — the EV charging network co-founded by BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota — announced a strategic partnership with Circle K to expand high-powered charging access across the United States.
April 2026 Sales vs. April 2025
| Model | Apr 2026 | Apr 2025 | YTD 2026 | YTD 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV9 | 1,349 | 232 | 4,089 | 3,988 |
| EV6 | 728 | 656 | 2,751 | 4,394 |
| K4/Forte | 13,214 | 13,097 | 50,434 | 50,101 |
| K5 | 6,537 | 6,248 | 25,343 | 21,995 |
| Soul | 171 | 5,069 | 3,470 | 16,346 |
| Niro | 1,491 | 2,350 | 8,946 | 7,468 |
| Seltos | 5,335 | 4,051 | 20,034 | 15,426 |
| Sportage | 15,803 | 16,178 | 60,507 | 57,479 |
| Sorento | 9,109 | 9,659 | 30,619 | 34,776 |
| Telluride | 12,577 | 10,860 | 48,505 | 40,703 |
| Carnival | 6,389 | 6,405 | 25,020 | 20,979 |
| Total | 72,703 | 74,805 | 279,718 | 273,655 |
The Soul’s April figure — 171 units against 5,069 a year prior — stands out as a potential phase-out signal worth watching as Kia continues reorienting its lineup around electrified SUVs.