In 2021, Kia America increased car sales in the USA to a record 701,414 vehicles with the Forte and the Telluride the top-selling models.
In full-year 2021, Kia America increased car sales in the USA by a fifth to a record 701,416 vehicles. The most popular car was the Kia Forte while the Kia Tellerude was the top-selling SUV. Several Kia models sold in record numbers.
Kia America Sales in the USA in 2021 (Full Year)
In 2021, Kia America sold over 700,000 vehicles in a calendar year in the USA for the first time in company history. Kia’s 2021 performance represents a 20-percent increase over 2020 and sales were 8.3% higher than in 2016, Kia’s previous record year in the US.
In addition, 2021 saw a big jump in demand for Kia’s hybrid and battery-electric vehicles, sales of which were up 97-percent year-over-year.
“Announcing best-ever annual sales is always a moment of pride, but for Kia to reach such heights in light of the ongoing pandemic and supply chain issues clearly illustrates the strength of our product line-up and the demand we have created for the Kia brand throughout 2021,” said Eric Watson, vice president, sales operations, Kia America. “With the arrival of the all-new, all-electric EV6 and all-new Sportage in the first half of 2022, it is clear we are ‘firing on all cylinders…and battery cells.’”
Kia America Sales per Model in the USA in 2021 (Full Year)
Kia America sales per car and SUV model in the US in 2021 were as follows:
| Model | 2021 | 2020 |
| Rio | 31,362 | 23,927 |
| Forte | 115,929 | 84,997 |
| K5/Optima | 92,342 | 80,140 |
| Cadenza | 249 | 1,265 |
| Stinger | 13,517 | 12,556 |
| K900 | 85 | 305 |
| Soul | 75,126 | 71,862 |
| Niro | 26,192 | 17,434 |
| Seltos | 51,368 | 46,280 |
| Sportage | 94,601 | 84,343 |
| Sorento | 81,785 | 74,677 |
| Telluride | 93,705 | 75,129 |
| Carnival/Sedona | 25,155 | 13,190 |
| Total | 701,416 | 586,105 |
In 2021, five of the Kia’s most popular sedan, SUV, and crossover models – Forte, Niro EV, Seltos, Sportage, and Telluride – reached all-time annual sales records in the US.
Car Sales by Brand in the USA in 2021 (Full Year)
→ USA Car Sales by Brand in 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018
Car Sales by Brand in the USA in 2021 (Full Year):
- Acura
- Audi
- BMW
- FCA (Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Ram)
- Ford
- General Motors (GM, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC)
- Honda
- Hyundai
- Kia
- Lexus
- Lincoln
- Mazda
- Mercedes-Benz
- Mini
- Mitsubishi
- Porsche
- Subaru
- Toyota
- Volkswagen
- Volvo
Note: Sales data as provided by manufacturers. Definitions may vary.
About Kia America
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 750 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America.
