Kia's sedan sales have tripled, but its electric vehicles are facing significant declines | Carscoops

      Last month was Kia's best April ever on record, even though sales of the EV9 and EV6 saw a significant decline.

      Within the first four months of the year, Kia sold 21,994 units of the K5. The K4 also experienced a notable increase, with 50,100 units sold this year.

      Kia also reported robust sales for the Sportage, Telluride, and Carnival.

      While some automakers were ready to retire sedans years ago, Kia clearly did not receive the message, and this strategy is paying off. Recent sales figures indicate that when a brand offers an attractive, affordably priced sedan, buyers are still enthusiastic. In the first four months of 2025, Kia's K5 sales surged, and the newer, smaller K4 is also gaining traction.

      Following a successful 2024, Kia sold 21,994 K5 units from January through April this year, marking an impressive 210% increase from the 7,086 sold during the same period last year. In April alone, 6,248 units were sold.

      The K5 underwent a mid-cycle update in the second quarter of 2024, receiving refreshed styling and a slight price increase. The changes appear to resonate particularly well in the U.S. market, where midsize sedans are becoming less common yet still in demand when executed properly.

      Examining Kia’s overall performance, the manufacturer sold 273,649 vehicles through April, representing a 12% increase from 245,375 during the same timeframe last year. April was Kia's best April on record, with 74,805 units sold, a 14% rise compared to April 2024.

      In terms of Kia’s SUVs, the Sportage led last month with 16,178 units sold, reflecting an 18% increase from 13,739 a year ago. It was followed by the K4 (13,097, up 6%), the Telluride (10,860, up 21%), and the Sorento (9,659, up 11%). The Carnival also showed a substantial gain, with 6,405 units delivered, a 79% increase from 3,588 last April, and a 60% increase year-to-date (20,977 vs. 13,126).

      Challenges for EVs, Sales Decline Overall

      However, not all news was favorable. Kia’s electric vehicles are encountering significant difficulties. The EV9's sales plummeted by 85% in April, dropping to just 232 units from 1,572 the previous year. Year-to-date, the EV9's sales are down 29% (3,979 vs. 5,579). The EV6 experienced a 68% decline in April sales (656 vs. 2,051) and a 28% drop year-to-date (4,389 vs. 6,110).

      Several gasoline-powered models also faced declines. The Soul decreased by 11% in April (5,069 vs. 5,708) and is down 10% year-to-date. The Seltos dropped 29% in April (4,051 vs. 5,672) and 25% year-to-date (15,423 vs. 20,455). The Niro, which spans both hybrid and electric markets, saw a 22% decrease in April and a 29% decline year-to-date.