Kia has built on an already tremendous growth streak in the United States with record October sales. With 80,008 vehicles sold last month, Kia posted its best-ever October sales, beating the previous record for that month by 16%. October also marked a sixth consecutive month of record sales for the Korean automaker. Most Kia models delivered year-over-year growth, and five models—including the second-generation Telluride—posted best-ever October sales.
A Closer Look At The Numbers
2026 Kia Sportage
Kia
From EVs to hybrids and conventional gas-powered models, Kia’s current lineup is proving to be a fine match for American tastes and budgets. In October, the brand also set new sales records for hybrids and electrified vehicles (including EVs), with hybrids alone increasing by 114%. The following Kia models achieved best-ever October sales:
- Telluride: 14,009 units
- Seltos: 8,052 units
- Carnival: 7,751 units
- K4/Forte: 11,391 units
- Sportage: 17,977 units
In terms of year-over-year sales growth, the EV9 led the way, with sales of 1,406 units in October, an increase of 111%. In a year where total EV sales in the U.S. are down by roughly 30%, that’s a significant achievement. The new EV3 went on sale last quarter and tallied 976 sales in October, taking its total to 1,496 for the year.
“With six consecutive months of record-breaking sales, Kia is accelerating toward a fourth straight annual sales record, powered by the strength of our world-class model lineup and our nationwide network of retail partners,” said Eric Watson, vice president, sales operations, Kia America. “An expanding hybrid lineup, the arrival of the all-new, all-electric EV3, and the success of the all-new Telluride and Seltos are adding even more momentum to our growth. We’re confident this record-setting pace will carry us through the fourth quarter and well into 2027.”
Sportage Under Threat As Best-Selling Kia
Kyle Edward – Autoblog
One number that jumped out to us is the slim gap between the Sportage (traditionally Kia’s best-selling vehicle in the U.S.) and the Telluride in October. In October 2025, the Sportage was ahead of the Telluride by 7,486 units. That gap narrowed to only 3,968 models last month.
This change could come down to the fact that the Sportage is deep into its current life cycle and demand has tapered off slightly, whereas the Telluride is still fresh. If the current trends continue, Kia’s best-selling model could very well be the Telluride in a few months, despite it costing thousands more than the two-row Sportage.
Final Thoughts
Kyle Edward – Autoblog
Kia is killing it in the United States right now. While many automakers find success in just a few segments, what’s noticeable about Kia is that it’s growing across the board. Hybrids and EVs are thriving, while buyers have expressed increasing interest in the brand’s three-row crossovers, electric SUVs, minivans, and small hatchbacks/sedans. Kia’s growth is also outpacing the industry. According to Automotive News, automakers that have reported October sales results saw an overall 8.6% increase, but Kia alone is up by almost double that, at 16%. Kia also outsold Hyundai, its corporate sibling, for the third month in 2026.
Related: Hyundai Kona Vs. Kia Seltos Sales: The Tables Have Turned
