South Korean auto giants Hyundai and Kia are finding success with new EV models arriving, including the IONIQ 9 and EV4. With several low-cost EVs on the way, this could be Hyundai’s golden ticket. Here’s what’s coming next.
Hyundai IONIQ 9 and Kia EV4 boost EV sales in July
Electric vehicle sales in Hyundai and Kia’s home market rebounded last month as buyers lined up for new models.
In total, EV sales increased by 67% in July, with over 25,000 units sold. That’s significantly higher than the monthly average for this year, which is 16,960.
According to data from Carisyou Data Research (via KED Global), electric vehicles hit a record share of new vehicle sales at 16.7%. Industry analysts pointed to new models rolling out as the biggest reason behind the sales surge.
Hyundai’s first three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9, posted its best sales month, with 1,137 units sold, while nearly 1,500 Kia EV4 models were sold, up 38% from June.
The IONIQ 9 was launched in February, while the EV4 arrived in March. Kia’s other low-cost electric models, the EV3 and Ray EV, also posted sales growth of 11.3% and 2.5% compared to July 2024.
Korea’s EV market showed broader signs of a recovery with used sales rising 0.8% despite gas and diesel models falling 4.9% and 4.1%, respectively.
Hyundai now only offers one fully gas-powered vehicle, the Venue. An industry official said that “The shift away from internal combustion engines toward hybrids and EVs is now being reflected in the retail market.”
Hyundai and Kia are gaining momentum, not just in Korea, but in most major global markets this year. The IONIQ 5 is coming off its best sales month yet in the US, with 5,818 units sold in July. Through the first seven months of 2025, Hyundai has sold nearly 25,000 IONIQ 5s.
After delivering the first customer models in late May, Hyundai sold over 2,000 IONIQ 9 models in the US through July.
In the heart of Europe, Germany, Hyundai’s low-cost Inster EV (sold as the Casper Electric in Korea) was the best-selling small electric car in the first half of 2025, with 6,300 registrations. The Inster EV starts at 23,900 euros ($28,000) and has a WLTP driving range of up to 370 km (230 miles).
Kia is quickly gaining market share in key markets, including the UK. The EV3, Kia’s compact electric SUV, was the most popular retail EV through the first half of the year.
Early next year, Kia will launch the EV4, its first electric sedan in the US. It will join the EV6 and three-row EV9 in its electric vehicle lineup.
And this could be just the start. Both are gearing up to launch new, affordable EVs soon, including the Hyundai IONIQ 2 and Kia EV2. Both are scheduled to arrive in 2026.
Looking to test drive one for yourself? You can use our links below to find models near you. Hyundai and Kia are pushing a few deals worth checking out before the $7,500 EV tax credit expires. With leases starting as low as $179 per month, the IONIQ 5 remains one of the most affordable EVs in the US.
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