* Telluride achieves all-time highest monthly sales within first month of nationwide 2027 model year availability
* Seven Kia models post year-over-year sales increases – Carnival, Sportage, and K4 achieve best-ever February sales records
* Hybrid models deliver best-ever February sales, up 53 percent year-over-year
IRVINE, Calif., March 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kia America’s record-breaking streak continued into February with sales of 66,005 units, a 4 percent increase over February 2025. Sales of Kia’s hybrid models also reached a new February record, increasing 53 percent over the same period last year.
Seven Kia models – Telluride (+37 percent); Carnival (+31 percent); K5 (+21 percent); Niro (+20 percent); Seltos (+14 percent); Sportage (+6 percent); and K4 (+3 percent) – posted year-over-year sales increases. Carnival, Sportage and K4 each achieved best-ever February sales records, while Telluride set a new all-time monthly sales record with 13,198 units sold, driven by the launch of the redesigned model.
“Interest in the Kia brand throughout the U.S. is growing by leaps and bounds and the all-new 2027 Telluride is the reason. Just as we launched the second-generation SUV, Telluride achieved its highest-ever monthly sales, underscoring the sustained interest in and ongoing popularity of this segment leading model,” said Eric Watson, vice president, sales operations, Kia America. “Our diverse vehicle lineup continues to attract new customers as well as maintain repeat customers, trends that we fully expect to continue.”
In addition to the monthly sales performance, Kia America also made additional announcements, including:
* The all-new 2027 Telluride Hybrid began production at the Kia Georgia plant in West Point – which recently produced its five millionth vehicle, a milestone that was commemorated at an event attended by Brian Kemp, governor of Georgia. The occasion underscored Kia’s continued investment in advanced manufacturing capabilities and its long-term commitment to innovation and growth in the United States.
* The 2026 Kia K4 compact sedan was named MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice for Best Family Car in 2026. The K4 was recognized for its dynamic styling, spacious interior, advanced technology and standard ADAS features.
* The Kia EV9 was honored with two high-profile industry awards from Cars.com and Kelley Blue Book:
* Five Kia models were named winners of the 2026 Car and Driver Editors’ Choice awards, which recognizes vehicles that deliver top-notch performance, value, and driving enjoyment within their respective segments. All five Kia vehicles are repeat honorees from last year, including the K5 sedan which has earned a spot on the list every year since its debut as a 2021 model.
MONTH OF FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY YEAR TO DATE
Model
2026
2025
2026
2025
EV9
819
1,360
1,493
2,592
EV6
600
1,275
1,140
2,817
K4/Forte
11,864
11,669
23,506
23,285
K5
6,053
4,991
12,329
9,348
Soul
1,025
4,006
2,756
7,560
Niro
1,783
1,485
4,953
2,687
Seltos
4,209
3,707
9,487
6,547
Sportage
13,901
13,072
27,885
24,429
Sorento
6,748
7,699
12,652
14,570
Telluride
13,198
9,599
22,622
18,370
Carnival
5,805
4,440
11,684
8,105
Total
66,005
63,303
130,507
120,310
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.
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