Hyundai Sonata sales delivered the brand’s biggest year-over-year gain in August 2026, rising 44% from the same month last year, while the electric Ioniq 6 recorded Hyundai’s steepest decline with a 97% drop in sales.

Hyundai released its U.S. sales figures for August 2026, reporting an overall sales decline of 2% compared with August 2025. However, the automaker’s year-to-date sales increased by 2%, while hybrid vehicle sales reached a record result, climbing 33% during the month. Nearly two-thirds of Hyundai’s August sales were hybrids.

Hyundai Sonata Leads August Sales Growth

The midsize Hyundai Sonata was the brand’s strongest performer in terms of year-over-year growth during August, outperforming every other Hyundai model.

• August 2026 sales: 6,899
• August 2025 sales: 4,793
• Year-over-year change: +44%

Sonata sales approached 7,000 units in August, rising 44% from August 2025. No other Hyundai model matched that growth rate, with the Tucson coming closest after posting an 18% increase in August sales.

For the year, Hyundai has sold 49,174 Sonatas, representing a 17% increase.

Although the Camry and Accord continue to outsell the Sonata, its starting price of $27,450 and class-leading warranty have helped make the sedan difficult to overlook. The Sonata Hybrid starts at $29,200 and carries a 51 mpg combined rating.

A new, boxier Sonata is expected at some stage, but the current model continues attracting buyers with its price, still-fresh styling and efficient powertrains.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 Posts the Biggest Sales Decline

While Hyundai’s gasoline and hybrid Sonata models gained momentum in 2026, the electric Ioniq 6 moved sharply in the opposite direction. The sedan posted Hyundai’s largest sales decline of any model in August.

• August 2026 sales: 28
• August 2025 sales: 1,047
• Year-over-year change: -97%

Hyundai sold just 28 Ioniq 6 vehicles in August, a 97% decline from the same month last year. The drop followed Hyundai’s decision to discontinue sales of the Ioniq 6, with tariffs likely to blame for the sedan’s demise.

Hyundai said it would only sell the high-performance Ioniq 6 N in limited quantities.

Even before sales of the Ioniq 6 ceased, the electric sedan was trailing Hyundai’s other EV offerings. Hyundai sold 1,047 examples in August 2025, compared with 7,773 sales of the Ioniq 5 during the same period.

Once the federal tax credit fell away in 2025, the Ioniq 6’s fate was sealed.

Hyundai’s Best-Selling Models in August

Hyundai’s five best-selling models in August 2026 were:

• Tucson: 21,197 units
• Elantra: 17,747 units
• Santa Fe: 13,512 units
• Palisade: 12,729 units
• Sonata: 6,899 units

The Tucson remained Hyundai’s volume leader despite the recent reveal of a dramatic new-generation model. Both the compact crossover and the midsize Santa Fe 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 Hyundai’s August Results Show

The sharply different results for the Sonata and Ioniq 6 highlight contrasting demand for gasoline, hybrid and electric sedans. While affordable sedans continue attracting buyers, consumers are heavily favoring gasoline and hybrid models over electric sedans.

At lower price points, buyers choosing electric vehicles are more likely to select a crossover. The Tesla Model 3 remains an exception, holding its position as the second-best-selling EV in the country in 2026 behind only the Model Y.

The trend also explains why Kia indefinitely delayed the EV4 electric sedan in the U.S. while recently launching the new EV3 crossover.

Thousands of Americans continue choosing affordable sedans, with many favoring tried-and-tested mechanicals over ultra-modern EVs. Hyundai’s August sales results showed that contrast clearly, with the Sonata surging while the Ioniq 6 nearly disappeared from the company’s monthly sales totals.