If you only look at Hyundai’s headline numbers, 2025 was a triumph. The brand posted its best December ever in the US car market, its third straight year of record total sales, and its fifth consecutive year of record retail volume. Total sales reached 901,686 vehicles, and December alone delivered 78,930 sales.

Fist bumps all around, right? Sounds like everything is going wonderfully. But scratch beneath the surface and the picture becomes more complicated and less joyful, especially if you care about electric cars.

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Because Hyundai’s EVs stumbled badly at the end of the year. Ioniq 5 sales fell 50 percent in December compared to the same month last year. Ioniq 6 dropped even harder, down 62 percent. In the fourth quarter, both models were also down sharply, by almost 60 percent.

Ioniq 9 Jumps In

Over the full year, the story is slightly kinder but still uneven. Ioniq 5 finished 2025 up nearly 6 percent year over year, but Ioniq 6 was down 15 percent. The newly launched three row Ioniq 9 added EV volume during 2025, ensuring Hyundai’s total electric sales in the last 12 months beat out those for 2024, when the Ioniq 9 was still waiting to be launched.

But in Q4 and December, the EV total was down dramatically, despite the 9 having joined to lend a hand.

Hyundai US Sales December 2025

And EVs weren’t the only models struggling. The Sonata was down 13 percent in 2025 (and 32 percent in Q4), and the Santa Cruz light truck dropped 20 percent during 2025 (and 21 percent in Q4). The Kona didn’t fare too well either. Its sales slid 9 percent between January and December.

Hybrid Help

So how did Hyundai still manage record numbers? The answer is hybrids and SUVs. Hybrid sales jumped 71 percent in December and were up 36 percent across the year, driven by demand for electrified versions of the Elantra, Sonata, Tucson, Santa Fe and Palisade.

Hyundai US Sales Q4 2025

Meanwhile, Hyundai’s core SUVs surged, with Santa Fe up 20 percent for the year, Palisade up 13 percent and Tucson up 14 percent.

In other words, Hyundai’s record year was not built on electric, but electrified momentum. Buyers did not stop shopping, they simply changed how they shopped, preferring to spend their money on more traditional vehicles with more traditional powertrains.

Hyundai US sales 2025

Hyundai

The Los Angeles Auto Show continues and Hyundai has used the event to introduce the US-spec Ioniq 6 N and Elantra N TCR Edition. The former originally debuted over a year ago, while the latter was introduced this summer.

Starting with the high-performance Ioniq 6 N EV, it features an 84 kWh battery pack and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 601 hp (448 kW / 609 PS). However, a boost function increases that number to 641 hp (478 kW / 650 PS).

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This setup enables the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in approximately 3.2 seconds when using Launch Control. Drivers can also expect to hit a top speed of up to 160 mph (257 km).

Hyundai declined to reveal the car’s range, but noted the model has a 350 kW DC fast charging capability. This will enable the battery to go from a 10% to 80% charge in as little as 18 minutes.

Other highlights include a sport-tuned suspension with electronically controlled dampers and N e-Shift technology. They’re joined by N Launch Control, N Drift Optimizer, N Grin Boost, N Torque Distribution, and an N Active Sound + system.

Since we’ve already seen the model numerous times before, we’ll briefly note the car features black and red accents as well as 20-inch forged wheels. They’re joined by sportier bumpers and a rear spoiler.

Hyundai hasn’t released full details, but said the car will have a Black interior with Performance Blue accents. Buyers will also find sporty seats with Alcantara upholstery as well as leatherette bolsters. Other highlights include a unique steering wheel as well as additional physical switchgear for more intuitive operation.

The Ioniq 6 N will arrive next year and be offered in “limited quantities.” There’s no word on pricing, but the 2025 Ioniq 5 N starts at $66,200.

Elantra N TCR Edition

Speaking of yesterday’s news, Hyundai introduced the Elantra N TCR Edition. Designed for boy racers on a budget, the car has a massive carbon fiber rear wing that tells everyone you’re compensating for something. It’s joined by special badging as well as gloss black 19-inch forged wheels that are backed up by a four-piston front braking system.

The interior sports an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, shifter, and handbrake. They’re accompanied by Performance Blue seat belts, aluminum door sill plates, and unique door puddle lamps.

Hyundai didn’t mention pricing or specifications, but the model should have a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine pumping out 276 hp (206 kW / 280 PS) and 289 lb-ft (391 Nm) of torque. It can be connected to either a six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The Hyundai Elantra N TCR Edition will arrive in the first quarter of 2026 as a “limited production run.” There’s no word on how many will be offered stateside, but expect it to cost more than the regular model, which begins at $35,100.