Kia India has wrapped up the 2025 calendar year on a particularly strong note, marking its best annual performance since entering the Indian market. Total wholesale volumes for the year stood at 280,286 units, which translates to a solid 15 percent growth over the 245,000 units sold in 2024. While the overall year was steady, it was December that really stood out.
In the final month of the year, Kia dispatched 18,659 units to dealers, making it the brand’s highest-ever December performance in India. This figure represents a sharp 105 percent year-on-year jump compared to the 8,957 units recorded in December 2024. According to the company, this surge came from a combination of sharper focus on customer expectations, timely model updates, and a broader market environment supported by relatively stable government policies. Taken together, these factors seem to have worked in Kia’s favor, especially toward the year’s end.
Key Performance Highlights for 2025
- Total Annual Sales: 280,286 units, up 15 percent from 245,000 units in 2024
- December Record: 18,659 units sold, reflecting 105 percent year-on-year growth
- Model Success: Kia Sonet crossed the 100,000-unit sales mark for the second consecutive year
- Network Reach: Expanded to 821 touchpoints across 369 cities in India
- Upcoming Launch: Pricing for the new-generation Seltos scheduled for January 2, 2026
The compact SUV space continued to be a key pillar for the brand. The Kia Sonet, which competes in the sub-four-meter segment, once again proved its popularity by crossing the one lakh sales milestone. It is not a small achievement, especially in a segment crowded with strong rivals. Alongside it, the Kia Seltos remained a consistent volume driver, forming the backbone of Kia’s sales throughout the year.
Beyond SUVs, Kia also saw growing interest in its MPV lineup. Newer additions such as the Kia Carens Clavis and the Kia Carens Clavis EV found traction among family buyers looking for space, comfort, and modern features. The Carens Clavis EV is particularly significant, as it marks Kia’s first mass-market electric vehicle for India. With a claimed range of up to 490 km from its 51.4 kWh battery pack, it positions itself as a practical option rather than just a niche EV offering. I think that practical approach is what could help it appeal to a wider audience over time.
Atul Sood, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Kia India, described 2025 as a year of measured and consistent progress. He highlighted how the company refined trim strategies across high-volume models like the Sonet and Seltos to better align with evolving buyer preferences. Sood also pointed to supportive macroeconomic conditions and the existing consumer-friendly GST framework as important contributors to sustained demand.
Under the current tax structure, small cars under 1,200 cc petrol or 1,500 cc diesel engines and measuring less than four meters attract an 18 percent GST rate. Larger SUVs, on the other hand, face a 40 percent GST rate without additional cess. This difference continues to make compact models more accessible to buyers, perhaps more so than in earlier years, and it clearly plays into Kia’s strengths.
Network expansion was another major factor behind the brand’s growth. Kia India now operates across 369 cities, giving customers in smaller towns easier access to both sales and after-sales support. The expansion to 821 touchpoints marks a notable increase compared to the previous year and helps the brand stay competitive against established players such as Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai. In the premium segment, models like the Kia EV6 and the fourth-generation Kia Carnival Limousine continued to attract high-end buyers. This balance between mass-market volumes and premium offerings has helped Kia maintain a strong brand image.
Looking ahead to 2026, expectations are clearly riding on the updated Seltos. Production for the new version is already underway, and it is set to be the brand’s first major launch of the new year. With its core models performing well, electric options gradually gaining ground, and a steadily expanding service network, Kia appears well positioned to carry its momentum forward in what remains a fast-moving and competitive market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which Kia car sold the most in 2025?
A1: The Kia Sonet emerged as the top-selling model, crossing the 100,000-unit sales mark for the second year in a row. It continues to lead the compact SUV segment in India.
Q2: What are the main features of the new Carens Clavis EV?
A2: The Carens Clavis EV comes with a 51.4 kWh battery offering a claimed range of 490 km. Key highlights include a dual panoramic display, Level 2 ADAS safety technology, and a 7-seater configuration aimed at family buyers.
Q3: How many service centers does Kia have in India now?
A3: By the end of 2025, Kia India had expanded its presence to 821 touchpoints across 369 cities nationwide.
Q4: When will the new Kia Seltos price be revealed?
A4: Kia is scheduled to announce the official pricing for the new-generation Seltos on January 2, 2026
