Hyundai and Kia U.S. sales reached historic levels in the first half of 2025, fueled by a growing demand for hybrid models despite a dip in electric vehicle deliveries. The two South Korean automakers sold nearly one million vehicles combined in the U.S. through June, marking their best-ever first-half performance.
Hyundai posted a remarkable 439,280 units sold, a 10% increase from the same period last year. The Tucson and Elantra led the surge, with strong performances from both traditional gas and hybrid variants. Kia followed closely, selling 416,511 vehicles in the first six months, an 8% year-over-year rise. The Telluride and the new K4 played a significant role in boosting Kia’s numbers.
Hybrids clearly fueled this growth. Although Hyundai still sells more gas-powered models overall, its hybrid lineup saw record-breaking gains. The Tucson hybrid and plug-in hybrid, along with the Santa Fe hybrid, posted impressive Q2 sales. Tucson HEV moved 15,991 units, up 19% from last year. The Tucson PHEV recorded 1,424 sales, up 24%. The Santa Fe HEV stood out with 13,601 units sold, up a striking 56%.
Total electrified sales, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and EVs, rose by 20% for Hyundai. However, fully electric models didn’t fare as well. Sales of the Ioniq 5 dropped slightly to 19,092 units, down 2% year-over-year. The Ioniq 6 slipped more sharply, declining 9% to 6,322 units. For Q2 alone, the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 were down 12% and 8% respectively. Hyundai’s new three-row electric SUV, the Ioniq 9, had a modest debut with 1,013 units sold so far this year.
Kia’s EV line saw steeper declines. The EV6 tumbled by about 46%, falling from 10,941 units last year to 5,875. The larger EV9 declined 49%, with only 4,938 units delivered through June compared to 9,671 in the same period last year. Kia cited upcoming model year changes as a reason, including the transition to the Tesla-style North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug for both EV6 and EV9. Hyundai’s EVs—excluding the Kona Electric—now also include the NACS plug from the factory. The Kona and Kia Niro EV remain compatible via adapters.
This shift in momentum comes amid growing consumer preference for hybrids. As electric vehicle growth slows and regulatory uncertainty looms under the Trump administration, buyers appear to lean toward more practical options. Tax credits for EVs are at risk, and many consumers now find hybrids more appealing. Hybrids offer fuel savings, reduced emissions, and the ability to run on electricity at low speeds without concerns about charging infrastructure.
With hybrids rising and EV momentum stalling, Hyundai and Kia U.S. sales reflect a strategic pivot that’s paying off. The brands have successfully leveraged their diversified lineup to meet evolving consumer expectations while navigating policy headwinds and infrastructure gaps. Whether this trend continues will depend on how quickly the market adapts and how the automakers adjust their electrification strategies moving forward.
