New Kia Car Prices in UAE — What Has Changed for 2025–26

Abu Dhabi: Korean brand Kia has a strong presence in the UAE market with an expansive portfolio of cars spanning across all the key segments of the market. Whatever the brand chooses to do with its pricing matters to a larger customer base, but for 2025–26, Kia has largely maintained steady pricing across its 19 models of sedans, SUVs, MPVs, and the brand's growing electric vehicle range.

The Korean automaker, distributed by Al Majid Motors, has kept most prices unchanged from last year while expanding its EV offerings. The Pegas continues to be the entry point at around AED 46,000, while the flagship EV9 sits at the premium end, starting from approximately AED 261,650. For buyers, the change means no major price shocks, but also no significant upgrades to the core petrol lineup that largely dominates sales.

Looking at the brand’s strategy, what is noticeable is that the sticker price may not have shifted much, but the competition has got a lot fiercer. The compact SUV segment, where Kia has a strong presence, is now more crowded and aggressive on pricing. The popular Seltos and Sportage face fresher competition from Hyundai, Nissan, and Toyota, all while Chinese brands keep pushing value propositions that make buyers rethink brand loyalty. As of now, Kia certainly is not facing pressure on pricing; what the competition is offering is rather challenging. For example, why should someone pick a Seltos at about AED 80,850 when a Hyundai Creta starts at around AED 69,900? We try to dissect brand pricing in the UAE.

Where Kia's 2025–26 Pricing Stands

Kia's price range for 2026 stretches from budget-friendly to premium electric territory. Here's what the numbers look like across segments:

Segment	Models	Price Range (AED)
Budget Sedans	Pegas, Picanto	46,000 - 53,550
Compact SUVs	Sonet, Seltos	63,900 - 101,500
Mid-Size SUVs	Sportage, Sportage L	99,654 - 139,000
Full-Size SUVs	Sorento, Telluride	109,000 - 178,000
MPVs	Carnival	139,000 - 179,500
Electric SUVs	EV3, EV5, EV6, EV9	155,000 - 398,000
Sedans	K3, K4, K5, K8	61,750 - 145,000

Looking at the overall scenario, the pricing has not seen any major movements, which could be good or bad depending on how you see it. For buyers who researched Kia six months ago, you are not getting any surprises about sudden hikes. But you are also not getting rewarded for waiting. The real question is whether these prices still deliver value against what else is out there.

The Compact SUV Market

The Seltos and Sonet account for a massive chunk of Kia's sales volume in the UAE. These are not aspirational purchases, but they are known for practical family decisions driven by space, features, and monthly payments. The Seltos starts at around AED 80,850, positioning itself as a value play with decent tech and a modern interior. But here's the reality buyers face:

• Hyundai Creta: Starts at about AED 69,900, nearly AED 11,000 cheaper. The Hyundai Creta shares the same platform, offers similar features, and boasts better pricing.
• Nissan Kicks: AED 79,900, almost the identical price but with Nissan's resale advantage in the UAE.
• Toyota Corolla Cross: Starts at AED 96,900, more expensive but carries Toyota's reliability perception and superior resale value.

The Seltos does not lose on specs. It comes with the 1.6L naturally aspirated and 1.4L turbocharged engines known for adequate performance. Inside, 10.25-inch dual screens look premium, and build quality is solid for the segment. 

The Sonet at AED 63,900 faces similar pressure; while it is priced competitively for a subcompact SUV, it sits in a segment where AED 5,000 in either direction changes the entire conversation. Buyers cross-shopping at this price point are not necessarily loyal, but they are more practical. 

Kia EV Lineup

Unlike, maybe, its Japanese counterparts, Kia's electric vehicle push is real in the Middle East, which is reflected in the UAE as well. With four EV models now available: the EV3 at AED 155,000 - 190,000, the EV5 launched at AED 168,200, the EV6 at AED 209,895, and the EV9 at AED 261,650. These are great cars; for example, the EV5 and EV9 highlight the serious attempts at making electric work for UAE families.

The EV5 appeals to buyers who are already convinced of an electric future. It is positioned between the compact EV3 and larger EV9, promising a practical range of around 500 km claimed on WLTP and spacious interiors. At AED 168,200, it's priced above most petrol SUVs but within striking distance if you factor in fuel savings over ownership. The bigger question is charging infrastructure and long-term battery replacement costs.

The EV9 at AED 261,650 is where Kia gets rather ambitious. This is a three-row electric SUV targeting families who want to go green without compromising space. The problem? At that price, you are competing with established luxury SUVs that buyers actually want to be seen in. The EV9's tech is impressive: around 505 km range, 0-80% charge in 24 minutes, and rotating second-row seats.

The Carnival and Sorento

The Carnival, priced between AED 139,000 and 179,500, is Kia's MPV for large families. The Carnival has a spacious cabin and is well equipped with better tech, more refined interiors, and a 3.5L V6 that moves this 1,900 kg MPV effortlessly. 

The Sorento, which costs between AED 109,000 and 173,995, sits in a strange middle ground. It's too expensive to be a budget family SUV and not premium enough to compete with German three-rows. The 2.5L turbocharged engine is adequate, the third row is usable for short trips, and the interior doesn't feel cheap. 

What's Actually Worth Considering

Considering Kia’s wide portfolio in the UAE, buyers across price points and profiles have a lot to choose from. And if you are looking to buy a Kia in 2026, here's what makes sense:

• The Seltos price range of AED 80,850 - 101,500 is a solid choice if you are keeping it past warranty and don't need resale to be perfect. The Seltos is a reliable daily driver, packed with decent technology, and has an acceptable build quality.
• The Sportage, at AED 99,654–136,000, promises better value than the Sportage L and avoids the price increase that makes buyers move to higher brands.
• The K5 at AED 75,900–115,000 is certainly an underrated sedan with good interiors and strong highway performance. It competes well against the Camry and Accord on features, less so on resale, but that is expected, as the Toyota brand always stays ahead of others. 
• The EV5, starting at AED 168,200, is for those buyers who are looking for an all-electric option. This is a practical SUV that serves you well for all the regular needs.

What doesn't make sense

• Sorento above AED 150,000: You're better off in the used luxury or Japanese three-row market.
• The EV9, costing AED 261,650, is hard to recommend unless you are an early adopter who doesn't care about resale; this is a hard sell.
• Carnival is a better car, but then it appeals to select buyers. 

Final Take

It's quite clear that Kia has adopted a stable pricing strategy for 2025–26, which is indeed reassuring and pretty common. The brand portfolio covers most buyer needs without major gaps or obvious shortcuts. But stable pricing doesn't mean competitive advantage; rather, every key segment of the market in the UAE is getting rather fierce by the day. This is good for buyers, as they get more choices and also a bargaining chip. But for brands, this makes it harder to stay ahead of the competition.  Which is obviously visible, as Kia's bestsellers are getting squeezed between cheaper Korean siblings and better-selling Japanese rivals.

If you are in the market for a latest brand new sedan or SUV, Kia certainly is one good option. If you plan to own the car for a longer period, Kia promises a lot of value. There are several strengths, such as the warranty being solid, the features being generous, and daily ownership being mostly trouble-free. But if you're the typical UAE buyer who trades in after three years, the resale hit makes the lower upfront price less impressive. That's the uncomfortable truth: Kia's pricing strategy does not necessarily solve anything. No matter how good the car is, the market still values the badge more.

Also Read: Best Car Loan & EMI Options in UAE (2026 Guide)