Hyundai's EV Sales Plummeted in Q4, Yet it Still Achieved Record Numbers | Carscoops

      It turns out that Americans still have a fondness for Hyundais, even if their enthusiasm for electric vehicles has diminished.

      Hyundai concluded 2025 with record US sales for the third consecutive year.

      Sales of hybrids and SUVs contributed to substantial growth as the demand for electric vehicles waned towards the end of 2025.

      Overall sales increased by 8 percent compared to the previous year but saw a decline of 1 percent in the fourth quarter.

      When examining Hyundai's overall figures, 2025 appears to be a success. The brand achieved its best December in the US car market, marking its third straight year of record total sales and its fifth consecutive year of record retail volume. Total sales amounted to 901,686 vehicles, with December contributing 78,930 sales.

      Celebrations all around, right? It looks like everything is going splendidly. However, looking closer, the reality is more complex and less positive, especially concerning electric vehicles.

      Hyundai’s electric vehicles faced significant challenges toward the end of the year. Sales of the Ioniq 5 plummeted by 50 percent in December compared to the same month the previous year, while Ioniq 6 sales fell even more dramatically by 62 percent. In the fourth quarter, both models experienced a sharp decline, nearly 60 percent.

      However, the Ioniq 9 emerged as a new addition.

      For the full year, the overall picture is somewhat more favorable but still inconsistent. The Ioniq 5 ended 2025 up nearly 6 percent year-over-year, while the Ioniq 6 declined by 15 percent. The newly released three-row Ioniq 9 contributed to the EV sales volume in 2025, ensuring Hyundai's total electric sales over the past year surpassed those of 2024 when the Ioniq 9 had yet to launch.

      Nonetheless, in Q4 and December, the total for electric vehicles dropped significantly despite the contribution of the Ioniq 9.

      Electric vehicles were not the only models facing difficulties. The Sonata saw a decline of 13 percent in 2025 (and 32 percent in Q4), while the Santa Cruz light truck dropped 20 percent during 2025 (and 21 percent in Q4). The Kona also struggled, experiencing a 9 percent drop in sales from January to December.

      So, how did Hyundai achieve record numbers? The answer lies in hybrids and SUVs. Hybrid sales soared by 71 percent in December and rose by 36 percent for the year, fueled by demand for electrified versions of the Elantra, Sonata, Tucson, Santa Fe, and Palisade.

      At the same time, Hyundai's main SUVs saw strong performance, with the Santa Fe increasing by 20 percent for the year, the Palisade rising by 13 percent, and the Tucson up by 14 percent.

      In summary, Hyundai's record-setting year was not driven by electric vehicles but rather by momentum in electrified options. Consumers did not stop purchasing; they simply shifted their preferences toward more traditional vehicles with conventional powertrains.