Hyundai Motor America reported May total sales of 87,468 units, a 3% increase compared with May 2025.
It was strong sales performance across the Hyundai lineup with sales increasing for core models including Elantra (+7%), Sonata (+39%), Tucson (+3%), Santa Fe (+2%), Palisade (+17%), IONIQ 5 (+28%), and IONIQ 9 (+279%). Year-to-date, Hyundai reached 373,013 units through May, up 1% versus 369,578 units in the same period last year.
Record Hybrid Vehicle Performance
Electrified vehicle sales continued to drive overall growth, highlighted by best-ever hybrid vehicle sales month, up 90% year-over-year. Tucson HEV (+10%), Santa Fe HEV (+30%), Elantra HEV (+29%), and Sonata HEV (+250%) all achieved new May records.
Hyundai’s electric vehicles also posted gains, up 10% across the category and new May record. IONIQ 5 (+28%) established its best May ever, reflecting benefits of Hyundai’s continued commitment to the EV market.
Randy Parker, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America, stated Hyundai achieved growth across nearly every part of lineup in May, from sedans to SUVs, including both hybrid and electric models. The market remains resilient, with solid underlying demand even as customers continue to navigate affordability pressures. Hyundai’s hybrid portfolio is seeing strong traction, while EV demand continues to improve, leading to new May sales record for IONIQ 5. The company’s sponsorship of FIFA World Cup 2026™ and the visibility it brings across North America position them well to drive continued growth through summer.
Individual Model Results
Elantra led volume with 16,819 units in May, up 7% year-over-year, reaching 64,660 units year-to-date. Tucson followed with 20,581 units in May, up 3%, with year-to-date sales of 98,031 units. Sonata posted strongest sedan growth at 39% with 8,456 units, reaching 30,108 units year-to-date.
Palisade increased 17% to 13,089 units in May with year-to-date total of 52,117 units. Santa Fe recorded 11,220 units, up 2% year-over-year. IONIQ 9 reached 1,145 units in May, up 279% from 302 units in May 2025, with year-to-date sales of 4,001 units. IONIQ 5 posted 5,002 units, up 28%, with year-to-date sales of 18,395 units.
Safety Recognition Across Lineup
The all-new 2026 Hyundai Palisade earned Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, meeting newly strengthened criteria placing greater emphasis on second-row passenger protection and crash-avoidance performance. This brings Hyundai’s total to eight IIHS safety awards for 2026.
Five Hyundai models were named to U.S. News & World Report’s inaugural 2026 Best Adventure Vehicles list, reinforcing the brand’s growing credibility in capability-driven vehicles. The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 was recognized by CarGurus with inaugural “Best EV Experience” honor, combining strong EPA-estimated range, ultra-fast 350-kW DC charging capability, and U.S. assembly at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America.
World Cup Activation Initiatives
Hyundai Motor Company unveiled “School of Football,” a new global campaign starring Boston Dynamics’ humanoid robot Atlas, extending Hyundai’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ storytelling with tech-forward creative.
In collaboration with FIFA, Hyundai revealed Official National Team Bus designs featuring 48 winning artworks by children ages 5–12 from around the world.
The FIFA Museum presented by Hyundai Motor Company will bring its immersive “Legacies of Champions” exhibition to Rockefeller Center during the tournament, offering free public access to iconic trophies, jerseys from all 48 teams, and interactive fan experiences.
Digital Leadership and Service Expansion
MyHyundai with Bluelink ranked No. 1 among mass-market brands in JD Power 2026 U.S. OEM EV App Report for third consecutive year, while expanding its Bluelink Store to bring on-demand digital features to more high-volume models, including Tucson, Santa Fe, Santa Cruz, and IONIQ 5.
Participating Hyundai dealers are rolling out a new mobile service program across the U.S., supported by Hyundai, designed to increase convenience while helping address service-capacity pressure tied to rising demand. Hyundai Motor America and Lopez Negrete Communications introduced “No Inventes,” a bilingual campaign for the 2026 Kona aimed at connecting with young U.S. Hispanic consumers through culturally grounded storytelling and humor.