South Korea January 2026: Kia topples Hyundai to #1, monopolises podium
The Kia Sorento confirms it is the favourite of South Korean customers.
The South Korean new light vehicle market is up 13.5% year-on-year in January to 120,446 units. This includes 99,495 domestic manufacturers (+9.5%) and 20,951 foreigners (+37.6%). This month Kia (+12.3%) topples traditional leader Hyundai (+11.6%) to rank #1 brand for the first time since exactly a year ago in January 2025. Genesis (-1.7%) disappoints at #3, lodging its lowest monthly volume since last July at 8,671. BMW (+5.2%) overtakes Mercedes (+35.1%) to #4 while KGM (+38.6%) is up two spots on last month to #6 with 2.6% share vs. 1.8% last month. Renault Korea (-13.9%) is relegated to #7. Tesla shoots up 39220% to #8 but still only holds 1.6% of the market vs. 3.6% over the Full Year 2025. Audi (+164.7%), Toyota (+44.7%) and Lexus (+30%) also impress while newcomer BYD is in the Top 10 for the third month in a row at #10.
Looking at domestic models, the Kia Sorento (+12.5%) is back to #1 for the 4th time in the past 5 months, confirming the annual top spot it has held for the past two years. The Kia Sportage (-8.1%) is up to #2 for the 2nd time in the past 3 months, as a reminder it last ranked #1 in November 2021. The Carnival (-13%) completes a podium 100% Kia but disappoints year-on-year. Four Hyundais follow, with the Palisade (+98.1%) and Sonata (+42.1%) lodging the best performances but the Avante (-4%) and Grandeur (-12.2%) in negative. Notice also the Kia Niro (+248.7%), Kona (+47.7%) and Morning (+40.6%).
As for foreign models, the Mercedes E-Class (+54.4%) remains on top above the BMW 5 Series (+8.1%) while the Tesla Model Y takes the third spot. The Mercedes GLC (+26.2%) repeats at #4 ahead of the Lexus NX (+194.9%) up from outside the December Top 50 directly back to #5 while the BMW X3 (+29.5%) is up five ranks on last month to #6. Below, the new BYD Sealion 7 is up two spots to #7 while the BYD Atto 3 cracks the Top 10 for the first time at #8. Note the Telsa Model X is up to #24 with 210 sales and the Model S up to #35 with 140 units.
Previous post: South Korea Full Year 2025: Kia Sorento repeats at #1, Hyundai Avante up to #2
One year ago: South Korea January 2025: Kia Sorento lodges 5th straight win in slow market
Full January 2026 Top 30 All brands, Top 55 All domestic models and Top 50 foreign models below.
South Korea January 2026 β brands:
| Pos | Brand | Jan-26 | % | /25 | Dec |
| 1 | Kia | 43,129 | 35.8% | + 12.3% | 2 |
| 2 | Hyundai | 41,537 | 34.5% | + 11.6% | 1 |
| 3 | Genesis | 8,671 | 7.2% | β 1.7% | 3 |
| 4 | BMW | 6,270 | 5.2% | + 5.2% | 5 |
| 5 | Mercedes | 5,121 | 4.3% | + 35.1% | 4 |
| 6 | KG Mobility | 3,187 | 2.6% | + 38.6% | 8 |
| 7 | Renault Korea | 2,239 | 1.9% | β 13.9% | 6 |
| 8 | Tesla | 1,966 | 1.6% | + 39220.0% | 7 |
| 9 | Lexus | 1,464 | 1.2% | + 30.0% | 14 |
| 10 | BYD | 1,347 | 1.1% | new | 10 |
| 11 | Volvo | 1,037 | 0.9% | + 0.4% | 9 |
| 12 | Audi | 847 | 0.7% | + 164.7% | 16 |
| 13 | GM Korea | 732 | 0.6% | β 39.8% | 11 |
| 14 | Porsche | 702 | 0.6% | + 9.0% | 13 |
| 15 | Toyota | 622 | 0.5% | + 44.7% | 12 |
| 16 | Mini | 567 | 0.5% | + 142.3% | 15 |
| 17 | Land Rover | 224 | 0.2% | β 31.1% | 18 |
| 18 | Volkswagen | 217 | 0.2% | + 68.2% | 17 |
| 19 | Jeep | 117 | 0.1% | β 2.5% | 19 |
| 20 | Honda | 104 | 0.1% | β 41.2% | 20 |
| 21 | Ford | 64 | 0.1% | β 82.5% | 28 |
| 22 | GMC | 62 | 0.1% | + 342.9% | 30 |
| 23 | Cadillac | 50 | 0.0% | + 92.3% | 22 |
| 24 | Peugeot | 33 | 0.0% | β 13.2% | 21 |
| 25 | Bentley | 28 | 0.0% | + 180.0% | 25 |
| 26 | Ferrari | 27 | 0.0% | β 15.6% | 29 |
| 27 | Polestar | 27 | 0.0% | β 73.8% | 24 |
| 28 | Lincoln | 23 | 0.0% | β 82.8% | 26 |
| 29 | Lamborghini | 21 | 0.0% | β 63.8% | 23 |
| 30 | Rolls-Royce | 11 | 0.0% | + 57.1% | 31 |
| 31 | Maserati | 0 | 0.0% | β 100.0% | 27 |
| Β β | Total local manufacturers | 99,495 | 82.6% | + 9.5% | Β β |
| Β β | Total foreign manufacturers | 20,951 | 17.4% | + 37.6% | Β β |
| Β β | Total market | 120,446 | 100.0% | + 13.5% | Β β |
South Korea January 2026 β domestic models:
| Pos | Model | Jan-26 | /25 | Dec |
| 1 | Kia Sorento | 8,388 | + 12.5% | 2 |
| 2 | Kia Sportage | 6,015 | β 8.1% | 3 |
| 3 | Kia Carnival | 5,278 | β 13.0% | 5 |
| 4 | Hyundai Avante | 5,244 | β 4.0% | 4 |
| 5 | Hyundai Sonata | 5,143 | + 42.1% | 11 |
| 6 | Hyundai Grandeur | 5,016 | β 12.2% | 1 |
| 7 | Hyundai Palisade | 4,994 | + 98.1% | 6 |
| 8 | Kia Ray | 4,446 | + 14.7% | 10 |
| 9 | Hyundai Tucson | 4,269 | + 17.4% | 7 |
| 10 | Kia Seltos | 3,698 | β 14.8% | 9 |
| 11 | Hyundai Santa Fe | 3,379 | β 29.9% | 12 |
| 12 | Hyundai Porter | 3,320 | β 0.4% | 8 |
| 13 | Hyundai Kona | 3,163 | + 47.7% | 16 |
| 14 | Genesis G80 | 2,993 | + 9.6% | 14 |
| 15 | Kia K5 | 2,752 | + 6.5% | 15 |
| 16 | Genesis GV70 | 2,702 | β 1.4% | 17 |
| 17 | Kia Bongo | 2,425 | + 0.2% | 18 |
| 18 | Genesis GV80 | 2,386 | β 11.4% | 19 |
| 19 | Hyundai Staria | 2,328 | β 6.3% | 21 |
| 20 | Kia K8 | 2,135 | β 7.1% | 20 |
| 21 | Kia Morning | 2,087 | + 40.6% | 25 |
| 22 | Kia Niro | 1,991 | + 248.7% | 26 |
| 23 | Hyundai Bus/Truck | 1,769 | + 85.4% | 24 |
| 24 | Renault Korea Grand Koleos | 1,663 | β 18.5% | 13 |
| 25 | Hyundai Casper | 1,128 | + 21.8% | 23 |
| 26 | KGM Musso | 1,123 | new | 34 |
| 27 | Kia PV5 | 1,026 | new | 38 |
| 28 | Hyundai Venue | 891 | + 28.4% | 22 |
| 29 | Kia EV5 | 847 | new | 46 |
| 30 | Kia EV3 | 737 | + 71.8% | 43 |
| 31 | KGM Actyon | 632 | + 32.2% | 28 |
| 32 | Chevrolet Trax Crossover | 607 | β 36.3% | 27 |
| 33 | KGM Musso EV | 527 | new | 53 |
| 34 | Genesis G90 | 489 | β 11.7% | 30 |
| 35 | KGM Torres | 427 | β 21.9% | 33 |
| 36 | Kia EV4 | 396 | new | 49 |
| 37 | Kia Tasman | 376 | new | 37 |
| 38 | Renault Korea Arkana | 369 | + 35.7% | 29 |
| 39 | KGM Tivoli | 367 | + 25.3% | 31 |
| 40 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 314 | + 318.7% | 47 |
| 41 | Hyundai Ioniq 6 | 245 | + 1941.7% | 55 |
| 42 | Hyundai Ioniq 9 | 224 | new | 44 |
| 43 | Kia EV6 | 214 | + 197.2% | 48 |
| 44 | Renault Korea Scenic E-Tech | 207 | new | 32 |
| 45 | Kia K9 | 143 | + 16.3% | 40 |
| 46 | Kia Bus/Special | 135 | + 33.7% | 35 |
| 47 | Chevrolet Trailblazer | 121 | β 21390.5% | 41 |
| 48 | KGM Rexton New Arena | 87 | β 20.2% | 45 |
| 49 | Hyundai Nexo | 85 | + 254.2% | 36 |
| 50 | Genesis G70 | 83 | β 22.4% | 42 |
| 51 | Kia EV9 | 40 | + 8.1% | 50 |
| 52 | Hyundai ST1 | 25 | + 257.1% | 51 |
| 53 | KGM Torres EVX | 24 | + 100.0% | 57 |
| 54 | Genesis GV60 | 18 | + 800.0% | 56 |
| 55 | Chevrolet Colorado | 4 | β 71.4% | 54 |
South Korea January 2026 β foreign models:
| Pos | Model | Jan-26 | /25 | Dec |
| 1 | Mercedes E Class | 2,220 | + 54.4% | 1 |
| 2 | BMW 5 Series | 1,951 | + 8.1% | 3 |
| 3 | Tesla Model Y | 1,559 | n/a | 2 |
| 4 | Mercedes GLC | 809 | + 26.2% | 4 |
| 5 | Lexus NX | 802 | + 194.9% | n/a |
| 6 | BMW X3 | 689 | + 29.5% | 11 |
| 7 | BYD Sealion 7 | 656 | new | 9 |
| 8 | BYD Atto 3 | 634 | new | 13 |
| 9 | BMW X5 | 602 | + 6.7% | 12 |
| 10 | BMW 3 Series | 568 | + 46.4% | 10 |
| 11 | Lexus ES | 513 | β 18.8% | 7 |
| 12 | Mercedes GLE | 488 | + 32.6% | 5 |
| 13 | BMW 7 Series | 482 | + 4.1% | 15 |
| 14 | Mercedes S Class | 461 | + 55.7% | 6 |
| 15 | BMW X7 | 399 | + 1.0% | 16 |
| 16 | Volvo XC60 | 388 | β 6.7% | 8 |
| 17 | BMW X6 | 297 | β 7.2% | 29 |
| 18 | Mercedes CLE | 277 | + 12.1% | 20 |
| 19 | Mini Cooper Hatch | 273 | + 82.0% | 14 |
| 20 | BMW X4 | 223 | β 3.5% | 17 |
| 21 | Porsche Taycan | 218 | + 78.7% | 23 |
| 22 | Audi A5 | 218 | n/a | 27 |
| 23 | Volvo XC90 | 218 | + 186.8% | 38 |
| 24 | Tesla Model X | 210 | + 4100.0% | 46 |
| 25 | Toyota RAV4 | 175 | + 326.8% | 22 |
| 26 | BMW i5 | 173 | + 88.0% | 24 |
| 27 | Porsche Panamera | 170 | β 21.3% | 39 |
| 28 | Volvo XC40 | 166 | β 15.3% | 25 |
| 29 | Volvo S90 | 162 | β 1.2% | 37 |
| 30 | Mercedes G Class | 158 | β 42.1% | 19 |
| 31 | Mercedes GLS | 145 | + 12.4% | 26 |
| 32 | Audi A3 | 145 | n/a | 50 |
| 33 | BMW X1 | 143 | β 12.8% | 31 |
| 34 | Porsche Cayenne | 141 | β 42.2% | 32 |
| 35 | Tesla Model S | 140 | n/a | n/a |
| 36 | Toyota Alphard | 137 | + 47.3% | 45 |
| 37 | Porsche 911 | 135 | n/a | 49 |
| 38 | BMW 4 Series | 127 | + 21.0% | 41 |
| 39 | Audi Q3 | 110 | + 161.9% | n/a |
| 40 | VW Golf | 104 | n/a | 35 |
| 41 | Mercedes CLA | 103 | + 66.1% | 48 |
| 42 | Toyota Camry | 101 | β 19.2% | 30 |
| 43 | Mini Aceman | 100 | new | n/a |
| 44 | Jeep Wrangler | 98 | + 6.5% | 33 |
| 45 | Mini Electric | 94 | new | n/a |
| 46 | Land Rover Defender | 93 | + 6.9% | n/a |
| 47 | BMW iX | 93 | new | n/a |
| 48 | Audi Q8 | 92 | + 283.3% | n/a |
| 49 | VW Atlas | 90 | new | n/a |
| 50 | Audi Q5 | 89 | n/a | 36 |
Source: Manufacturers, KAIDA
Citroen sales almost double in Luxembourg in January.
The Skoda Elroq is up to #8 in Germany in January.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser reaches the 5th place in Denmark.
The Peugeot 208 is the best-selling vehicle in Portugal in January.
The Suzuki Swift is the best-selling vehicle in the Netherlands in January.
The Toyota Yaris Cross is the most popular vehicle in Hungary in January.
The BMW X1 is the best-selling vehicle in Switzerland in January.
The Jaecoo 7 is only outsold by the Kia Sportage in January.