Kia Ends 28-Year Wait to Outsell Hyundai in South Korea
For the first time in nearly three decades, Kia has moved ahead of Hyundai Motor Company in its home market of South Korea. The milestone came in April 2026 and marks a major shift in the country’s growing electric vehicle space.
Since Hyundai became Kia’s largest shareholder in 1998, Kia has largely remained the second brand within the group. But changing customer preferences and a stronger EV lineup have now helped Kia take the lead.
EV Range Drives Kia’s Growth
Kia’s latest growth has been powered mainly by its expanding electric vehicle portfolio. Models like the Kia EV3, Kia EV5 and Kia PV5 played an important role in April’s sales performance.
The EV3 recorded 3,898 units in South Korea during April, while the PV5 electric van added 3,308 units. The EV5 followed with 2,262 units. Together, these models helped Kia cross 10,000 EV sales in Korea for the third consecutive month.
Kia sold 13,596 EVs domestically in April, compared to Hyundai’s 4,851 units. Combined, both brands accounted for nearly 18,500 EV sales in the Korean market during the month.
A temporary production setback at Hyundai following a supplier-related fire in March also affected the company’s output, but Kia’s rise appears to be driven mainly by growing customer demand for its EV lineup.
Kia’s Global EV Push Gains Momentum
The momentum is not limited to South Korea. Kia’s electric vehicle business has continued to grow steadily across multiple global markets.
In the UK, Kia recently crossed the milestone of 100,000 EV sales. In Australia, the company currently ranks among the top EV brands, competing closely with BYD and Tesla. The Kia EV5 alone has already crossed 10,000 global sales within the first four months of 2026, showing strong acceptance in international markets.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the larger Kia EV9 posted a significant jump in sales during April as demand for family-focused electric SUVs continues to grow.
Affordable EV Strategy Could Strengthen Kia Further
Kia’s next important launch will be the 2027 version of the Kia EV3, which is expected to arrive later this year in select markets. The model is likely to be priced around $35,000 and could offer up to 320 miles of claimed range in its long-range version.
That pricing positions it directly against affordable EVs such as the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf.
For Kia, the latest sales milestone is more than just a monthly victory. It reflects how quickly the brand has evolved from being Hyundai’s secondary nameplate into a serious force in the global EV market.
At a time when buyers are looking for practical and reasonably priced electric vehicles, Kia seems to be finding the right balance between design, technology and value.
