Hyundai’s Sedan Sales Split: Sonata Up 44%, Ioniq 6 Down 97%

Hyundai has released sales figures for August 2026 in the U.S., and while overall sales are down by 2% versus August 2025, the manufacturer’s year-to-date sales are up by 2%. Hybrid vehicles saw a record result last month, with sales of those vehicles up 33%, and almost two-thirds of all Hyundai’s August sales were hybrids. What really jumped out at us when scanning the figures were the brand’s best- and worst-performing models in August in terms of growth. Both were sedans, but their results couldn’t be more different.

Hyundai’s Biggest Winner: Sonata

A month ago, we pointed out that the compact Elantra was one of the brand’s biggest sales success stories for the year. But in August, the Hyundai model that saw the biggest year-on-year leap by far was the midsize Sonata.

Sales of the Sonata neared 7,000 units, up by a massive 44% over August 2025. No other Hyundai got close to achieving that rate of growth in August; the next-closest model was the Tucson, which saw an 18% jump in August sales. For the year, Hyundai has now sold 49,174 Sonatas, up by 17%.

Although the Camry and Accord still outsell it, the Sonata’s low base price of $27,450 and class-leading warranty have made it impossible to ignore, especially since new-car ownership has become inaccessible for so many consumers. Even the hybrid ($29,200) starts at under $30,000, and its 51 mpg combined rating makes it one of America’s most efficient sedans.

A new, boxier Sonata is expected at some stage, but the current model is winning over buyers with its high-value price, still-fresh looks, and efficient powertrains.

Related: The Next Hyundai Sonata Could Bring an ’80s Look Back

Hyundai’s Biggest Loser: Ioniq 6

While the gas and hybrid Sonata models have been popular in 2026, the same can’t be said of the electric Ioniq 6. It saw the biggest decline in sales in August for any Hyundai model, although there’s a good reason for that.

Hyundai sold just 28 Ioniq 6s in August, down by 97%. This precipitous drop came about because Hyundai decided to discontinue sales of the Ioniq 6, with tariffs likely to blame for the sedan’s demise. Hyundai said it would only be selling the high-performance Ioniq 6 N in limited quantities.

Even before sales of the Ioniq 6 ceased, it wasn’t exactly flying out of showrooms. Hyundai sold only 1,047 examples of the electric sedan in August last year, far behind the Ioniq 5’s 7,773 sales over the same period. Once the federal tax credit fell away in 2025, the Ioniq 6’s fate was sealed.

Hyundai’s Other Sales Highlights

In August 2026, Hyundai’s best-selling models were the Tucson (21,197 units), Elantra (17,747), Santa Fe (13,512), Palisade (12,729), and Sonata.

The Tucson continues to be the brand’s volume-seller, even as a dramatic new-generation model was revealed recently. The compact crossover and midsize Santa Fe both achieved their best-ever August sales. 

“August demonstrated the strength of Hyundai’s portfolio,” said Randy Parker, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America. “Hybrid demand remained strong, helping electrified vehicles reach 34% of total sales and hybrids achieve a record share. Despite a challenging comparison created by the EV pull-ahead and Labor Day falling within the August sales month last year, we’re encouraged by the resilience of customer demand and the strength of our lineup.”

What It Means

The contrasting fortunes of the Sonata and Ioniq 6 tell an interesting story for Hyundai and the industry in general. While the affordable sedan is still relevant, it’s clear that consumers are heavily favoring gas and hybrid sedans over electric ones. If buyers do go electric at a lower price point, they’re far likelier to choose a crossover. The Tesla Model 3 is an exception, as it has remained the second-best-selling EV in the country in 2026, behind only the Model Y. This trend also explains why Kia indefinitely delayed the EV4 electric sedan in the U.S., yet it recently launched the new EV3 crossover.

Thousands of Americans are still choosing affordable sedans, but these tend to be more conservative buyers who prefer tried-and-tested mechanicals over ultra-modern EVs.

Related: Hyundai’s New Elantra Just Got Bigger Than A Honda Civic