Kia Breaks Multiple U.S. Sales Records As Telluride Soars

Kia has released its U.S. sales results for May and the Korean brand has toppled multiple sales records in the process. The company’s previous retail, monthly, and year-to-date sales records were all broken in May, while four models achieved best-ever May sales. The fact that Kia achieved these records without the assistance of the affordable Soul crossover—which has been discontinued—is even more impressive. As the year approaches the halfway mark, the brand is on track for best-ever annual sales.

SUVs, Minivans, and Electrified Models Shine

Kia’s success last month was spread across its lineup, with multiple model and powertrain types flying high. Here’s a look at the top-selling models for May and how they compared to sales a year ago.

As usual, the Sportage was the brand’s top-seller; the compact SUV had its best-ever May sales for both hybrid and non-hybrid models. The second-placed Telluride had its best month ever, with sales up by 18%, it has now achieved five consecutive months of record sales. Electrified models performed brilliantly, with a 179% year-on-year improvement for hybrids. EVs were up, too, led by a great month for the three-row EV9, possibly a response to high gas prices.

“Even as consumer preferences continue to evolve, Kia continues to break retail, monthly and year-to-date sales records thanks to our wide range of ICE, hybrid and electrified models,” said Eric Watson, vice president, sales operations, Kia America. “With five consecutive months of record-breaking sales, the flagship 2027 Telluride continues to shatter all initial expectations. Traffic to showrooms nationwide is growing and we are confident that this momentum will carry us through the first half of the year and beyond in spite of recent economic challenges.”

Overall, Kia has now sold 360,220 models for the year, a 2% increase and another record-breaking total. The 80,502 Kia vehicles sold last month puts it within reach of Hyundai, which managed a total of 87,468 units in May.

Related: Are Modern Hyundais And Kias Built To Last Beyond The Warranty?

What It Means

An up-to-date and diverse lineup continues to serve Kia well. Not many automakers have seen such a sustained period of growth, but Kia has managed to improve on multiple fronts. Be it cheap compacts, hybrid minivans, or large three-row electric SUVs, the Korean marque is hitting all the right notes for American buyers. Kia’s humble beginnings as a budget brand with awkward designs and boring-to-drive cars seem like a lifetime ago—it now rates as one of the top mainstream brands in the country.

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