SUV sales significantly outpace those of sedans in Korea in 2023

The new Sorento hybrid [Courtesy of Kia]

Sales of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) in South Korea are projected to surpass those of sedans by more than double by the end of this year amid growing popularity of the large, powerful car segment.

According to data from CarIsYou Data Research Center on Monday, the number of SUVs sold in Korea last year stood at 802,974 units, which is over 60 percent more than sedans (495,450 units).

SUV sales, including recreational vehicles like Kia Carnival, totaled 928,542 units, marking a staggering 90 percent difference compared to sedan sales.

The trend of SUV sales outpacing sedans began in 2020.

Analysis suggests that the shift in consumer perception regarding car space utility due to Covid-19, increased leisure activities and the preference for spacious SUVs with ample cargo space contributed to this trend.

In the past five years, new SUV sales in Korea surged by 30 percent, while sedan sales plunged by 23 percent.

This trend is not unique to Korea.

According to automotive industry portal MarkLines, the proportion of SUV sales worldwide surged to 38 percent in 2021, surpassing the 35 percent share held by passenger sedans.

The best-selling SUV in Korea last year was the Kia Sorento, with a total of 84,410 units sold. Kia introduced the fourth-generation Sorento with partial changes in August last year, outselling the Hyundai Santa Fe, which was released around the same time.

Following the Sorento, Kia Sportage sold 69,851 units during the same period, securing the second spot among SUVs, while the third position was held by Seltos (51,259 units).

In the sedan category, the top-selling passenger car last year was Hyundai Grandeur (114,298 units), followed by Avante (66,335 units) and Genesis (44,571 units).

With the sales gap between SUVs and sedans projected to further widen this year, the automotive industry is focusing on new launches of SUVs.

Hyundai Motor and Kia are preparing to launch large electric SUVs such as the Ioniq 7, Casper EV, and Kia EV3. Renault Korea Motors is going all out to launch the next-generation hybrid midsize SUV, known as Project Aurora 1, after years of preparation.

Anticipation also surrounds various upcoming SUV models like KG Mobility’s Korando EV, Volvo’s EX30, and Polestar 4.