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The 2025 calendar is already (or perhaps only) just over halfway over. That means automakers are posting not just their Q2 sales figures but also assessing their first-half performance globally. Kia just published its first-half global financial results, and things are going pretty well for the Korean brand, all things considered. And Kia’s minivan – yes, minivan – is a big part of that.

Kia Sold A Record Number Of Cars In Q2 2025

Kia set an all-time sales record in the United States, with 416,511 vehicles sold through June. That momentum was global. Kia sold 814,888 vehicles globally during the second quarter, representing a 2.5% year-over-year increase. That set a quarterly sales record for Kia. It generated a record quarterly revenue of approximately $21.13 billion.

Alas, Trump administration import tariffs are biting. The U.S. has a 25% import tariff on South Korean vehicles, pending a new trade deal. And despite that record performance, Kia’s Q2 operating performance fell 24.1% year over year. With a margin of 9.4%, Kia generated approximately $1.99 billion in operating profit, compared to $2.62 billion last year.

Kia Credits Hybrids For Its Sales Success, Specifically The Carnival Hybrid

Kia noted that it sold 185,000 electrified (hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric) vehicles in Q2. That was 14% growth year-over-year. And electrified cars now make up 23.4% of global sales. Kia particularly credited the new Carnival hybrid. Adding the new 32-mpg variant to the mix helped Kia’s minivan achieve 57% sales growth in the United States through the first half of 2025.

We can expect Kia to lean more heavily into hybrids moving forward. Kia noted in the outlook section of its business release that new hybrid variants are coming for the Telluride and Seltos crossovers; fuel economy may be the only thing limiting sales of the three-row SUV Kia has internally dubbed “the Sell-uride.” Kia plans to shift its Sportage and Sorento production in America toward building more hybrid models.

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Kia also noted strong sales of the K4 in North America. The compact sedan line, formerly known as the Forte, sold more than 75,000 units in the U.S. through the first half of 2025. Kia’s EV4 electric sedan and new Tasman pickup (not coming to America) are selling well in Korea.

But What About Kia’s EVs?

Kia EV Sales In America YTD 2025

While Kia hybrids are selling well in the United States, Kia EVs have not been as successful. Kia sold just 4,938 EV9 three-row electric crossovers in the United States through the first half of 2025, representing a 48.9% year-over-year decline. The story was similar for the smaller EV6 electric crossover. Kia sold 5,875 of them through June, a 46.3% year-over-year decline. Kia did not branch out Niro EV sales, but the Niro writ large is down 35.9% through the first half of the year.

That sales performance may be worrisome. Kia has had some issues with recalls. But both the EV6 and EV9 crossovers are stylish and critically acclaimed. The EV9 took home World Car of the Year, North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, and a Car and Driver 10Best list nod. Kia just refreshed the EV6 with a larger battery to offer even more range. And the sluggish sales occurred when Kia was aggressively deploying the federal tax credit, particularly on lease deals, to incentivize sales.

Sources: Kia, Car and Driver