- Hyundai’s electrified vehicle sales grew 35% year-over-year, whereas Kia’s increased 22%.
- The Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Santa Fe HEV and the Kia EV9 were some of the best-selling electric and hybrid models.
- The Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage were the overall best-sellers.
It’s that time of the month again. Two Korean brands, more record sales for their hybrids and fully electric models. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it is. U.S. car buyers are increasingly warming up to Hyundai and Kia’s electrified models.
Hyundai set a new record for overall February car sales—including all powertrain types—with 62,032 units sold, a 3% increase over the same period last year. Kia also had its best-ever February with 63,303 units sold, a healthy 7.2% year-over-year growth.
For Hyundai, two electrified models set new records: the Santa Fe HEV and the Ioniq 6. The Santa Fe HEV was up 194%. Hyundai combines Santa Fe gas and hybrid sales, so it’s unclear how many hybrid units exactly were sold.
Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1
The Ioniq 6 was up 12%, growing from 902 units to 1,012 units. While that’s a relatively low number, the Ioniq 6 sedan has often struggled in sales compared to its SUV brethren despite being one of the U.S. market’s current EV range kings.
The Ioniq 5 continued to be Hyundai’s dominant EV with 2,442 units sold, a 22% year-over-year increase. Total electrified vehicle sales increased 35%.
Kia’s electrified vehicle sales increased 22% and the automaker says it was the highest total for February ever. The EV9 three-row electric SUV was its best-selling fully electric model with 1,360 units sold, a 3.1% year-over-year growth.
EV6 sales have been strong overall, but dropped marginally in February to 1,275 units, a 2.6% decline. It’s worth noting that the EV6 ranked second in J.D. Power’s latest study analyzing ownership satisfaction for mass-market EVs, behind only the Ioniq 6. The Chevy Equinox EV was third.
Photo by: Patrick George
Aggressive leasing offers, boosted by the federal tax credit, may have played a role in helping Hyundai and Kia increase their EV sales. But the tax credit’s future is on shaky ground, with President Trump vowing to repeal it. If that happens, EV sales could face a different reality. (Only the EV6 and EV9 qualify for the tax credit so far this year among Hyundai Motor Group cars.)
On the plus side, most Hyundai and Kia models are built in the U.S. or Korea, keeping them relatively shielded from potential tariffs on Mexico- and Canada-made vehicles. But Japan, South Korea, and the EU are also in Trump’s crosshairs, so nothing is guaranteed.
Regardless, Hyundai and Kia’s EV sales blitz proves that when you listen to customers and deliver what matters, EV adoption follows. They’re not perfect, but they get close. Hyundai and Kia models riding on the 800-volt E-GMP platform have garnered praise for their fast-charging capability, solid range and a sticker price that doesn’t break your wallet.
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