On track for its best year ever
The automotive market is facing rising vehicle prices as consumer wallets tighten, but that isn’t stopping automakers from posting positive sales numbers. Hyundai is just one of the manufacturers that’s had a stellar year so far, and that trend continues into August. The South Korean automaker posted record-breaking sales numbers for multiple vehicles, including the Santa Fe, Palisade, and Ioniq 5. Hyundai’s August sales amounted to more than 88,000 units, a 12% increase compared to the same time last year.
Hyundai
“August was an exceptional month for us, with retail and total sales pacing well above our previous best August results,” said Randy Parker, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America. “This momentum keeps us firmly on track for our best year ever.”
Hyundai’s vehicles are hitting their mark
As is the industry trend, crossovers and SUVs led Hyundai’s sales totals. The 2025 Hyundai Tucson, which received refreshed styling and an improved infotainment setup, stole the show, with more than 17,900 examples sold. While it may have been the automaker’s top-selling model, the Tucson’s year-over-year sales dropped by 19%.
Hyundai
The Hyundai Palisade and Elantra each saw more than 15,000 units leave dealer lots. The Palisade, which seats up to eight passengers, posted a 39% increase in year-over-year sales. On the other side of the range, the Elantra, one of the most affordable vehicles on the market with a $22,125 price tag, saw a year-over-year increase of six percent. The Santa Fe managed to net a 26% year-over-year increase in sales, with 12,840 units sold.
On the all-electric side, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 posted a 61% increase in year-over-year sales, with more than 7,700 examples sold. With August behind it, the Ioniq 5’s year-to-date sales are up 65%. The Ioniq 6 sedan, which comes restyled for the 2026 model year, posted a 30% increase in sales, with just over 1,000 models leaving dealer lots. The Ioniq 9, which just recently debuted for the 2026 model year, is already off to a strong start, with over 1,000 examples sold in August.
Hyundai
Hyundai is on track to post a double-digit percentage increase in annual sales as well. The automaker’s year-to-date sales figures sit at more than 607,000 vehicles, a dramatic increase from the 548,003 examples that the manufacturer had sold at this time last year.
On a side note, if you have any interest in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (I do), Hyundai has sold just two examples of the Nexo FCEV so far this year. By this time last year, the South Korean automaker had moved 87 Nexo models. Currently, the Hyundai Nexo is only available for purchase in California, which is home to nearly all the nation’s hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
Hyundai’s sister brands saw similar gains
Born from the success of the Hyundai luxury sedan bearing the nameplate, Genesis serves as the pinnacle of grandeur under the Hyundai Motor Group umbrella. Per Tedro Mengiste, COO of Genesis Motor North America, the premium brand pulled off record-setting August sales as well. Originally introduced as a brand of its own in 2015, the decade-old marque delivered 7,925 vehicles, amounting to a seven percent year-over-year increase. The 2026 GV70 led the charge, with 3,210 examples sold.
Genesis
August 2025 marked the highest sales month in Kia’s history, with more than 83,000 models sold —a 10.4% increase compared to the same time last year. The Sportage crossover was the brand’s top-selling model, with over 18,000 units sold, bringing the year-to-date total to just shy of 120,000 units. The Kia Telluride SUV, Carnival minivan, and all-electric EV9 SUV saw steady increases in their year-over-year sales as well.
Kia
Final thoughts
Even as vehicle prices are on the rise, Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia are still managing to post record-breaking sales month after month. Much of this success can be attributed to the South Korean manufacturer’s affordable pricing, as well as the sheer level of standard equipment available across each model’s trim range. While Hyundai may have a somewhat mixed reputation in terms of reliability, it also offers one of the industry’s most extensive powertrain warranties. As vehicle prices continue to rise, it’ll be interesting to see if Hyundai manages to keep up this momentum or if sales will fall to the wayside.
