Despite the popularity of Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 crossover and Ioniq 9 three-row SUV in the United States, not all Ioniq-badged EVs are doing great here.
Yes, we’re looking at you, Ioniq 6 sedan. The quirky Tesla Model 3 rival has failed to convince U.S. buyers, and that is the main reason why Hyundai has decided to retire it from the market, only three years after its debut.
Edmunds learned that the facelifted 2026 Ioniq 6 is not coming stateside, though with a big exception: the Ioniq 6 N performance version will be available, albeit “in limited quantities.”
“Going forward, our award-winning Ioniq 6 lineup will consist of the all-new Ioniq 6 N,” a Hyundai spokesperson told the publication, adding that the 2026 Ioniq 6 N will arrive later this year in the U.S. Until then, buyers can still get a 2025 Ioniq 6 sedan, as there are plenty of those left in dealer inventories. Prices start from just under $40,000, including destination.
Tariffs Likely Killed the Standard Ioniq 6 in the U.S.
While Hyundai USA didn’t provide a reason for the decision to axe the standard Ioniq 6, tariffs are the most logical explanation. Unlike the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9, which are built in the U.S. at the automaker’s plant near Savannah, Georgia, the Ioniq 6 is manufactured in South Korea.
In January, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened South Korea with a tariff increase from 15% to 25%. Needless to say, Hyundai would have to pass that significant cost on to consumers, and that would make the standard Ioniq 6 far too expensive for its own good. In the case of the more expensive Ioniq 6 N, though, which is also made in Korea, the tariff-related cost is probably easier to swallow by consumers.
It’s worth pointing out that Hyundai will continue to sell the facelifted Ioniq 6 in Canada, as our northern neighbor doesn’t impose any tariffs to Korean-made cars under the Canada–Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA).
Tariffs aside, the standard Ioniq 6 likely also owes its demise in the U.S. to the loss of federal tax credits and declining sales. While Tesla sold around 190,000 Model 3 sedans in the U.S. last year, Hyundai sold just over 10,400 Ioniq 6 sedans, down from 13,000 units in 2023, its debut year.
What Are We Missing Out On?
The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 brings a series of exterior, interior and performance upgrades. The styling is the most obvious as the electric sedan gains thinner LED headlights and a restyled bumper at the front, as well as new rear lighting and an extended, more subtle ducktail spoiler that helps improve aerodynamics. A new performance-themed N Line trim is also introduced for 2026.
Inside, the 2026 Ioniq 6 adopts a redesigned three-spoke steering wheel and a more user-friendly climate control layout. New additions also include the new Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) system with dual 12.3-inch displays, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as improved over-the-air (OTA) update capabilities.
Hyundai is also giving the 2026 Ioniq 6 an upgraded battery pack for the Long Range model with an increased capacity of 84 kWh (the same battery that powers the go-faster Ioniq 6 N).
Speaking of the Ioniq 6 N (pictured below), it gets all of the above updates plus an exclusive dual-motor AWD powertrain that delivers up to 641 horsepower in “N Grin Boost” mode, enabling a 0-60 mph time of around 3.2 seconds. Other exclusive features include the upgraded sports suspension, larger brakes, simulated shift modes, and aggressive styling. The 2026 Ioniq 6 N is expected to start around $70,000 when it goes on sale in the United States.
Hyundai
