- Hyundai and Kia each posted record U.S. hybrid sales in May 2026.
- Both brands are racing for the No. 2 U.S. hybrid spot behind Toyota.
- Hyundai sold 87,468 units in May; Kia posted 80,502, its best-ever retail sales month.
Hyundai Motor America and Kia America each reported record U.S. hybrid vehicle sales in May, adding to the momentum in both brands’ push to reach No. 2 in the U.S. hybrid market, behind Toyota.
Hyundai reported it sold 87,468 total units in May, up 3% from a year ago. Hybrid models drove the growth, rising 90% year-over-year, highlighting the best hybrid sales month in company history. The Sonata HEV led individual gains, up 250%, followed by the Santa Fe HEV at 30% and the Elantra HEV at 29%.
Additionally, Kia posted 80,502 units in May, its best-ever retail sales month. Hybrid and electrified models posted even sharper gains, with the Sportage Hybrid jumping 171% year-over-year. The Sorento Hybrid rose 101%. Overall hybrid volume for the brand was up 179%.
Together, the two Hyundai Motor Group brands sold roughly 168,000 vehicles in the U.S. in May. The robust results continue a streak that began last summer, when Hyundai and Kia each posted record July 2025 sales on the back of rising demand for SUVs and electrified vehicles.
The product lineup has also drawn outside recognition. In particular, U.S. News & World Report named Hyundai and Kia the top-awarded brands in its 2026 Best Hybrid and Electric Cars rankings, with each brand earning three awards. The Tucson Hybrid, Ioniq 5, and Ioniq 9 won for Hyundai. The redesigned Telluride Hybrid took top honors for Kia.
Both brands are expanding local hybrid production to reduce tariff costs and increase utilization at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia.
“Even as consumer preferences continue to evolve, Kia continues to break retail, monthly, and year-to-date sales records thanks to our wide range of ICE, hybrid, and electrified models,” said Eric Watson, Vice President of Sales Operations, Kia America, in a press release.
Randy Parker, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America, pointed to consistent demand across the lineup.
“The market remains resilient, with solid underlying demand even as customers continue to navigate affordability pressures,” Parker said in the company’s media release. “Our hybrid portfolio is seeing strong traction, while EV demand continues to improve.”
Kia has sold 360,220 units in the U.S. through May, up 2% from the same period in 2025. Hyundai’s year-to-date total stands at 373,013 units, a 1% gain.
The U.S. hybrid market still belongs to Toyota. But Hyundai and Kia are building a case for second place month by month, with record sales, recognized product quality, and matching production capacity.
