Kia’s hot streak warms up as the new $30,000 EV3 launches

After another record sales month and the launch of its new affordable EV3 electric SUV, Kia is on track for its fourth record-breaking annual sales year in the US.

Kia launches the EV3 in the US amid record run

Kia America sold 83,793 vehicles in August, up 1% from last year and a new all-time monthly sales record.

Six Kia models set new August sales records, including the Seltos (+53%), Carnival (+13%), K4 (+7%), Telluride (+4%), Sportage (+4%), and K5 (+4%).

Kia’s hybrid and electrified vehicles set new August records, with sales rising 99% and 36% year over year. Hybrid sales growth was led by the Sportage Hybrid (+40%), Sorento Hybrid (+22%), and Carnival Hybrid (+15%).

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Through August, Kia sold a record 590,377 vehicles in the US, up 3% from the same period last year.

Kia said hybrid and electrified vehicles drove growth in the first eight months of 2026, with sales up 111% and 60% year over year, respectively.

What about fully electric vehicles? Kia sold just 712 EV6s and 1,789 EV9 SUVs last month, down 60% and 33% compared to August 2025.

Through the first eight months of 2026, EV9 sales are still up 12% (10,474 units), while EV6 sales have fallen 39% (5,429 units).

Kia also sold six EV3s last month, its smallest, most affordable electric SUV. The 2027 Kia EV3 starts at just $29,890, making it one of the most affordable EVs in the US alongside the new Chevy Bolt EV and Nissan LEAF.

With the EV3 added to the mix, “Kia is well positioned to maintain the record-breaking sales momentum through the end of the year and ultimately achieve our fourth consecutive annual sales record,” said Eric Watson, Kia America’s vice president of sales and operations.

The 2027 Kia EV3 is available in five trims: Light, Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT, with front- and all-wheel-drive powertrains.

The base EV3 Light FWD uses a 58.3 kWh battery with an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 221 miles. Upgrading to the Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT trims gains a larger 81.4 kWh battery that delivers up to 321 miles of range on a single charge.

All trims come with a native NACS port, enabling drivers to access Tesla Superchargers without a separate adapter.

Using a 350 kW DC fast charger, the 58.3 kWh battery can charge from 10% to 80% in 29 minutes. The 81.4 kWh battery takes a bit longer, at about 31 minutes.

As a slightly larger option with a longer driving range than the Chevy Bolt EV and Nissan LEAF, will the EV3 find a market in the US? It’s already among the most popular EVs in the UK, Europe, and other overseas markets. We will find out soon as more sales figures are released.