Kia has opened 2026 with decisive momentum in the UK, securing its position as the second best-selling car brand in the market according to the latest vehicle registration figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The strong performance underlines Kia’s growing influence across passenger cars, electric vehicles and light commercial vehicles, as well as the sustained appeal of its core models.
In January alone, Kia registered a total of 10,199 vehicles across cars and LCVs. Of these, 9,983 were passenger cars, translating into a robust 6.9 percent share of the UK car market. This result places Kia firmly in second position overall and sets a confident tone for the year ahead.
At the heart of Kia’s success is the Sportage, the brand’s global best-seller and a consistent favourite among UK buyers. The latest generation Sportage once again claimed the title of the UK’s best-selling car, both for the month and year-to-date, with an impressive 4,675 registrations. Its continued dominance reflects a winning combination of design, technology, efficiency and value, all of which resonate strongly with private and fleet customers alike.
January also marked a milestone moment for Kia’s commercial vehicle ambitions with the first month of sales for the new PV5. As Kia’s first dedicated electric commercial vehicle, the PV5 made an immediate impact, finishing the month as the third best-selling electric LCV in the UK. With 216 registrations, it achieved a notable 13.2 percent share of the electric LCV market, signalling strong early demand and confidence from business customers seeking zero-emissions solutions.
Electrification remains a central pillar of Kia’s UK strategy, and the January figures reinforce the brand’s leadership in this space. Kia ended the month as the number one brand for retail EV sales and number two overall when combining retail and fleet registrations. This performance was driven by the brand’s six-strong electric line-up, which spans multiple segments and use cases, including the EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6, EV9 and the PV5 Passenger.
Among these, the EV3 stood out as a particularly strong performer. It finished January as the fifth best-selling EV in the retail market and seventh overall across retail and fleet channels. The EV5 also delivered a solid showing, ending the month just behind in seventh place in the retail EV rankings. Together, these results highlight the breadth and competitiveness of Kia’s electric offering at a time when consumer interest in EVs continues to grow.
Kia’s success in January was not limited to electrified models. The Picanto, the smallest car in the brand’s UK line-up, continued to attract new buyers and urban drivers. With 1,041 registrations, it ended the month as the UK’s best-selling city car in the A segment, demonstrating that demand for compact, accessible and efficient vehicles remains strong.
Looking ahead, Kia has already signalled its intent to build on this momentum throughout 2026. The brand began the year by unveiling the EV2 at the Belgian Motor Show in January, with plans to introduce the model to the UK market later in 2026. In addition, Kia intends to expand its UK range with the arrival of the Seltos, a key global model for the brand, alongside new variants of the PV5 electric commercial vehicle.
Combined with Kia’s existing and increasingly diverse product portfolio, these upcoming additions position the brand well for sustained growth. With strong performances across passenger cars, EVs and commercial vehicles already evident in January, Kia is firmly set on a trajectory that could see it achieve another record-breaking year in the UK market.
