Kia India posts 14% year-on-year growth in March 2026, driven strongly by the Sonet and Seltos.
The Carnival and Syros suffer steep sales declines, while the EV6 and EV9 record zero units sold.
Kia India recorded total sales of 29,112 units in March 2026, earning the brand a sixth-place ranking among leading automakers in the country. The company registered a 14% year-on-year growth compared to 25,525 units sold in March 2025, while on a month-on-month basis, sales climbed 5% over the 27,610 units posted in February 2026.
The brand also held a 6.5% market share during the period. It was a month of two very different halves — strong momentum at the volume end and noticeable softening among its premium and niche models.
Sonet Tops the Charts With a 56% Year-on-Year Jump
Kia's Compact SUV Remains the Undisputed Sales Leader
The Kia Sonet retained its position as the brand's best-selling model in March 2026, moving 12,012 units. That figure represents a 56% year-on-year improvement over the 7,705 units sold in March 2025 and a 23% month-on-month rise from the 9,780 units recorded in February 2026.
The compact SUV continues to resonate with buyers looking for feature-rich value in a sub-four-metre package, and with a next-generation model reportedly in development for a 2027 launch, its dominance in Kia's line-up looks set to continue for some time yet.
New-Generation Seltos Records Its Highest Monthly Sales Since Launch
A 5-Star Safety Rating Adds Serious Showroom Appeal
The new-generation Seltos came in at second place, registering 11,041 units in March 2026. This marks the highest monthly sales figure the updated Seltos has achieved since deliveries began earlier this year, with numbers surging 69% year-on-year from 6,525 units and improving around 7% month-on-month from 10,308 units sold in February.
A recently awarded 5-Star Bharat NCAP safety rating has clearly added confidence among buyers in the competitive 4.2m to 4.5m SUV space. Kia is also planning to expand the Seltos range by introducing new variants under the GTX and X-Line trims, adding the GTX (O) and X-Line (O) to the offering.
The Carens Clavis rounded off the top three performers with 5,933 units sold, representing an 8% year-on-year rise. However, month-on-month sales slipped by 13% compared to the 6,815 units sold in February 2026.
Carnival and Syros Post Steep Declines in March 2026
Premium and Niche Models Face a Difficult Month Across the Board
The higher end of Kia's portfolio had a tough month, and the numbers leave little room for interpretation. The Carnival sold just 67 units, down 71% year-on-year from 230 units in March 2025 and 11% lower month-on-month from 75 units in February 2026.
The Syros fared even more poorly, recording just 59 units for the month. That represents a 99% year-on-year drop from the 5,015 units sold in March 2025 and a 91% month-on-month decline from 662 units in February 2026.
Much of the Syros' year-ago figure can be attributed to pent-up demand following its launch, making the comparison somewhat uneven, though the month-on-month fall still points to a sharp cooling of interest. Completing the difficult picture at the premium end, both the EV6 and EV9 recorded zero sales in March 2026.
Kia India March 2026 Sales at a Glance
Model-Wise Breakdown of Units Sold, Year-on-Year and Month-on-Month Change
| Model | March 2026 | March 2025 | YoY Change | Feb 2026 | MoM Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonet | 12,012 | 7,705 | +56.90% | 9,750 | +23.20% |
| Seltos | 11,041 | 6,525 | +69.21% | 10,308 | +7.11% |
| Carens Clavis | 5,933 | 5,512 | +7.64% | 6,815 | -12.94% |
| Carnival | 67 | 230 | -70.87% | 75 | -10.67% |
| Syros | 59 | 5,015 | -98.82% | 662 | -91.09% |
| EV6 | 0 | - | - | - | - |
| EV9 | 0 | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 29,112 | 25,525 | +16.51% | 27,610 | +5.44% |
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