Hyundai sales surged to record heights in the US last month, thanks in part to a significant increase in demand for its EVs and a few of its SUV and sedan models. And, despite the removal of the federal EV tax credit at the end of September, the Korean carmaker appears confident it can keep the momentum going through the rest of the year and into 2026.

Read: The EV Price War Just Got Real And Hyundai Fired First

In September, Hyundai sold a total of 71,003 vehicles in the US market, a 14 percent increase over the 62,491 sold the same month last year. In addition, Hyundai’s Q3 sales were up 11 percent to 678,349 units compared to the 610,494 sold through the first three quarters of 2024.

EVs Leading the Charge

Several models contributed to the surge in demand last month. The all-electric Ioniq 5 stood out, with sales soaring 152 percent from 3,336 units to 8,408. While many automakers saw a final bump in EV sales before the federal tax credit expired, Hyundai has moved quickly to soften the impact.

The company is now offering a $7,500 cash incentive on 2025 models, along with price cuts of up to $9,800 on 2026 Ioniq 5s. Year-to-date, sales of the Ioniq 5 have climbed 36 percent, from 30,318 units to 41,091.

Hyundai US Sales 2025

Elsewhere, sales of the Ioniq 6 have jumped 36 percent, although it remains a small blip in terms of Hyundai’s overall sales, with just 814 sold in September and 9,132 sold this year. The large, three-row Ioniq 9 sold 4,177 examples.

Demand for the small Venue also soared by 77 percent last month, with 2,836 finding new homes across the country. Hyundai reported a 28 percent rise in Santa Fe sales to 10,114 units. In September, sales of the Elantra increased by 23 percent.

There are some outliers in what has been a very good year for Hyundai. For example, year-to-date sales of the Sonata are down 5 percent to 45,914, Santa Cruz has fallen 18 percent to 20,633, and the Kona is down 11 percent to 57,278.

Making performance more accessible, a new trim of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has landed in Korea with a lower price tag but no major compromises. Badged the Ioniq 5 N Essential, it holds onto the performance hardware and most of the high-end features, proving that an entry-level model doesn’t always mean stripped-down basics.

Same Look, Same Presence

Visually, the Essential is indistinguishable from the standard N. It wears the full body kit, full-LED lighting, and 21-inch forged alloys, so anyone hoping for bare steel wheels is out of luck. Step inside and the cabin follows the same script, complete with dual 12.3-inch displays, sports seats, leather steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and an eight-speaker Bose premium system fitted as standard.

More: Hyundai’s Pickup Plan Could Also Unleash A Rugged Off-Road SUV

Where the Essential trims back is in smaller conveniences. There’s no head-up display, wireless charging pad, or V2L connector, and the spec sheet also skips the digital key, second-row safety power windows, and the intelligent front lighting system. Even the driver assistance package has been simplified, though it still remains broadly equipped for everyday use.

No Change Under the Skin

Unsurprisingly, the underpinnings of the Ioniq 5 N remain unchanged. The two electric motors generate a combined 601 hp (448 kW / 609 PS) and there is a limited slip differential on the rear axle, while the battery pack has a capacity of 84 kWh. Furthermore, the performance EV retains all of the goodies that make it special, such as the N e-Shift, N Launch Control, N Pedal, N Drift Optimizer Pro, N Torque Distribution, and N Active Sound +.

Pricing Advantage

So what does the more attainable N actually cost? Factoring in local incentives, the Essential comes in at ₩74,900,000 ($53,700) in Korea, compared with ₩77,400,000 ($55,500) for the regular version. That translates to a saving of ₩2,500,000 ($1,800) while keeping the same visual impact and performance. For comparison, the sole US-market trim of the Ioniq 5 N currently starts at $66,200.

More: Veloster’s Reincarnation Could Arrive As An Ioniq 3 N Hot Hatch

Hyundai has also updated the Comfort Plus package, priced at ₩590,000 ($420), which now includes heated rear seats, window curtains, and an electrically folding rear bench. Buyers can also add Parking Assist Lite for ₩900,000 ($650), though this option excludes remote parking. Other extras include a protective film for ₩380,000 ($270), an Alcantara interior for ₩550,000 ($400), and a Walk-in Interior package at ₩300,000 ($350).

The Korean brand’s N lineup is expected to grow in the future with electric and combustion-powered models. After the recent debut of the Ioniq 6 N sedan, Hyundai has all but confirmed a smaller Ioniq 3 N hot hatch and a new generation of the i20 N with hybrid power.

US immigration authorities have detained at least 450 people in a raid at Hyundai’s new EV plant in Georgia. Atlanta’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed that it had apprehended hundreds of “unlawful aliens,” but South Korea has expressed concern over reports that 30 of the detained were its country’s nationals.

ATFA Atlanta said it had joined forces with various federal organizations including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to perform the operation on September 4. The search warrant executed cited allegations of “unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes,” the Department of Homeland Security said.

Related: A Simple Traffic Stop Can Now End With Deportation In Florida

“Today @ATFAtlanta joined HSI, FBI, DEA, ICE, GSP and other agencies in a major immigration enforcement operation at the Hyundai mega site battery plant in Bryan County, GA, leading to the apprehension of [around] 450 unlawful aliens, emphasizing our commitment to community safety,” ATFA Atlanta wrote on X.

A High-Profile Target

The raid took place at the $7.6 billion, 3,000-acre EV site opened by Hyundai close to Savannah last year. Agents were focused on the construction zone for the new battery plant that’s scheduled to open in 2026, and Hyundai claims the operation didn’t impact the neighboring EV plant, which currently produces the Ioniq 5 and 9.

Though US authorities haven’t released names or details of the 450 people it detained at the site, Korean media reports that 30 are Korean nationals, something that has alarmed the country’s lawmakers.

Diplomatic Tension

“The economic activities of Korean investment companies and the rights and interests of Korean citizens must not be unfairly infringed upon during US law enforcement operations,” a spokesperson for the country’s foreign ministry said in a statement. South Korea sent diplomats to the site, BBC News reports.

President Trump pledged to deport undocumented migrants in the run-up to his 2024 election victory, but he has also said he welcomed foreign companies to set up manufacturing businesses inside the US, as Hyundai has done.

Atlanta ATF/Hyundai

Today, @ATFAtlanta joined HSI, FBI, DEA, ICE, GSP and other agencies in a major immigration enforcement operation at the Hyundai mega site battery plant in Bryan County, GA, leading to the apprehension of ~450 unlawful aliens, emphasizing our commitment to community safety. #ATF pic.twitter.com/su6raLrLu6

— ATF Atlanta (@ATFAtlanta) September 4, 2025

This week, GM reported record EV sales for the month of August as consumers rushed to take advantage of the clean vehicle tax credit that expires on September 30. That trend was also seen elsewhere as Hyundai reported a 72% year-over-year increase in EV sales.

The Ioniq 5 was the big winner as sales jumped 61% to 7,773 units. Even the slow-selling Ioniq 6 got a shot in the arm as sales increased 30% to 1,047 units. Lastly, there’s the Ioniq 9, which found 1,016 takers.

More: This Electric Hatch May Be Hyundai’s Best-Looking Ioniq Yet

Putting EVs aside, Hyundai Motor America set an all-time August sales record of 88,523 units. That was a 12% increase from a year ago and the company said the Elantra N, Elantra Hybrid, Santa Fe Hybrid, Santa Fe family, Palisade, and Ioniq 5 all achieved record August sales.

The redesigned Palisade was the big standout as sales jump 39% compared to a year ago. The three-row crossover starts at $38,935 and features a boxy new design as well as a classier cabin. Mainstream variants have a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 287 hp (214 kW / 291 PS) and 260 lb-ft (352 Nm) of torque.

Customers can also opt for a new hybrid, which begins at $43,660. It features an eco-friendly powertrain that consists of a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a 1.65 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, a six-speed automatic transmission, and two electric motors. This gives the crossover a combined output of 329 hp (245 kW / 334 PS) and a fuel economy rating of up to 34 mpg.

Hyundai Motor North America CEO Randy Parker said, “This momentum keeps us firmly on track for our best year ever. We’re especially proud of the record-breaking results from key models like the Elantra HEV, Palisade, and Ioniq 5, which continue to resonate strongly with customers.” Of course, sales of Ioniq models will likely collapse following the elimination of the tax credit, so things aren’t as rosy as they seem.

Hyundai US Sales August 2025