Hyundai Sets September and Third-Quarter Sales Records as Hybrid Demand Jumps 39%
Hyundai just wrapped up the best September in its history. Hyundai Motor America reported September sales of 77,439 vehicles, up 9% compared with September 2025, and the brand also posted its strongest third quarter ever.
The story behind those numbers is pretty clear: SUVs and hybrids. Four nameplates posted double-digit gains in September, and Hyundai’s hybrid lineup set a new monthly record.
Record September Led by Palisade and Tucson
The three-row Palisade led the way in percentage terms, with September sales up 52% to 10,327 units. The Sonata climbed 39%, the Tucson rose 32% to 23,164 units, and the Santa Fe gained 21%.
The Tucson remains Hyundai’s volume leader by a wide margin.
Hybrids Hit 28% of Hyundai Sales
Hyundai’s hybrid lineup set a September sales record, rising 39% year over year and accounting for 28% of total volume. The Santa Fe Hybrid and Sonata Hybrid both set September sales records.
“Hybrid sales climbed 39% and represented 28% of September volume,” said Randy Parker, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America. That trend lines up with what we see from families shopping for their next SUV, and with Hyundai’s plans for a wave of new hybrids.
Best Third Quarter in Company History
For the quarter, Hyundai sold 246,896 vehicles, up 3% compared with the third quarter of 2025. The Tucson set a quarterly sales record with 64,075 units, up 23%, while the Elantra (+18%) and Sonata (+34%) also posted strong gains.
Hybrid sales rose 35% for the quarter. Sonata Hybrid sales more than doubled, and the Santa Fe Hybrid had its best quarter ever. Through September, Hyundai’s year-to-date sales total 697,464, up 3%.
EV Sales Fall Sharply
Not everything moved in the right direction. Ioniq 5 sales dropped 65% in September to 2,928 units and fell 53% for the quarter. The Ioniq 9 was down 65% for the month, and the Ioniq 6 sold just three units in September.
It is another sign of the cooling EV market, and it makes Hyundai’s hybrid growth even more important to its overall results.
Hyundai Sales by Model
Here is how every Hyundai model performed in September and the third quarter, based on Hyundai Motor America’s sales report. The Tucson, Palisade, Santa Fe, and Sonata posted the biggest September gains, while the Ioniq EVs and Santa Cruz pickup declined.
| Model | Sept. 2026 | Sept. 2025 | Change | Q3 2026 | Q3 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elantra | 13,902 | 13,808 | +1% | 48,764 | 41,444 | +18% |
| Ioniq 5 | 2,928 | 8,408 | -65% | 10,382 | 21,999 | -53% |
| Ioniq 6 | 3 | 814 | -100% | 107 | 2,810 | -96% |
| Ioniq 9 | 374 | 1,075 | -65% | 1,663 | 3,164 | -47% |
| Kona | 4,574 | 4,078 | +12% | 16,779 | 17,450 | -4% |
| Palisade | 10,327 | 6,790 | +52% | 35,229 | 35,585 | -1% |
| Santa Cruz | 1,620 | 1,788 | -9% | 4,830 | 6,412 | -25% |
| Santa Fe | 12,227 | 10,114 | +21% | 39,112 | 37,082 | +5% |
| Sonata | 5,156 | 3,722 | +39% | 17,273 | 12,928 | +34% |
| Tucson | 23,164 | 17,569 | +32% | 64,075 | 51,929 | +23% |
| Venue | 3,164 | 2,836 | +12% | 8,682 | 8,265 | +5% |
| Hyundai Total | 77,439 | 71,003 | +9% | 246,896 | 239,069 | +3% |
What Comes Next for Hyundai
Hyundai heads into the final quarter of the year with momentum and the all-new 2027 Tucson on the way. Considering the current Tucson just posted a 32% September gain, the timing for a redesign of the brand’s best seller could not be much better.