Kia is off to a record start in the US in 2026, led by strong demand for hybrid and electric vehicles. The three-row EV9 and EV6 gained momentum last month, but the EV3 will likely be Kia’s biggest hit yet.
Kia EV sales rise in April ahead of upcoming EV3 launch
Kia sold just over 72,000 vehicles in the US last month. While that’s down 3.3% from April 2025 before the industry changes took effect, Kia is still on a record-setting pace in 2026.
Through the first four months of the year, Kia sold 279,718 vehicles, 2% more than in the prior year. Kia credited its electrified vehicles, including hybrids and EVs, for the growth.
Several hybrid SUVs, including the new Telluride, Sportage, and Sorento, set new April records, while sales of Kia’s three-row electric SUV, the EV9, rebounded by 481% to 1,349 units. The EV6 also posted higher sales with 728 units sold, up 11% from April 2025.
Despite the Trump Administration’s policy changes, Kia has sold more EV9s through April than it did in 2025. Through the first four months of 2026, Kia sold 4,089 EV9s in the US, up from 3,988 in the same period last year.
While it’s still a relatively small number, Kia is among the few automakers, alongside sister brand Hyundai, that are still betting on EVs for growth. And so far, it’s paying off.
Hyundai reported earlier today that IONIQ 5 sales are up 11% year-to-date. With 13,393 models sold through April, Hyundai’s electric SUV remains among America’s best-selling EVs.
Later this year, Kia will launch the EV3, which is expected to be its most popular EV to date. After it made its North American debut last month, Kia said the EV3 is an “entry-level EV SUV that offers many of the advanced amenities of the EV9,” just in a smaller, more affordable package.
The EV3 will be available in five trims: Light, Wind, Land, GT-Line, and a flagship GT variant. The base Light model is powered by a 58.3 kWh battery and a front-mounted electric motor, which Kia estimates will provide up to 220 miles of range.
Higher-priced trims, including the Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT, are available with an extended-range 81.4 kWh battery, providing an estimated range of up to 320 miles for front-wheel drive models. All-wheel drive is optional on Wind and Land trims and standard on the GT-Line and GT variants.
The smaller EV3 Light with the 58.3 kWh battery can charge from 10% to 80% in about 29 minutes based on a 400V architecture. The longer-range 81.4 kWh battery takes about 31 minutes.
Kia has yet to reveal prices, but the 2027 Kia EV3 is expected to start at around $35,000 or less, making it one of the most affordable EVs in the US alongside the new Chevy Bolt EV, Nissan Leaf, Hyundai IONIQ 5, and Toyota bZ.
Electrek’s Take
The EV3 is already one of the most popular electric vehicles in Europe, the UK, and several overseas markets. Will it achieve the same success in the US?
Smaller, more affordable EVs are expected to see some of the biggest demand over the next few years, with nearly every automaker racing to launch entry-level models.
At the right price ($35,000 or less) with a decent range, the EV3 will likely be Kia’s biggest hit in the US yet. Just look at Toyota’s upgraded electric SUV. Starting at $34,900, the 2026 Toyota bZ was the third best-selling EV in the US in the first quarter, trailing only the Tesla Model Y and Model. The Hyundai IONIQ 5, starting at $35,000, ranked fourth, followed by the Chevy Equinox EV in fifth.
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