Hyundai Motor’s Ioniq 5 became the best-selling non-Tesla electric vehicle in the U.S. during the first half of 2026, the company said on July 14, underscoring its growing momentum in a slowing EV market as rival models posted sharp sales declines.
According to data cited by U.S. electric-vehicle publication InsideEVs, Hyundai sold 20,730 Ioniq 5s in the United States during the first six months of the year, a 9% increase from a year earlier. The crossover ranked third overall in U.S. EV sales, behind only Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3.
The Ioniq 5 climbed from fifth place in the first half of 2025, when it sold 19,092 units, overtaking the Chevrolet Equinox EV and Ford Mustang Mach-E to become the country’s top-selling EV outside Tesla’s lineup.
While Hyundai posted year-over-year growth, several competing models lost momentum. Ford sold 11,632 Mustang Mach-Es during the period, while Chevrolet delivered 16,249 Equinox EVs, with both models recording sales declines of more than 40% from a year earlier. Toyota’s bZ4X also trailed the Ioniq 5 with 17,553 units sold.
InsideEVs attributed the Ioniq 5’s strong performance to its competitive pricing and product enhancements. The latest version includes a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port that provides access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, adds a rear windshield wiper, and received substantial price cuts following the expiration of federal EV tax incentives.
The publication described the Ioniq 5 as “one of the best-value electric vehicles on the market.”
U.S. EV publication Electrek said the Ioniq 5 has cemented its position as one of America’s most popular electric vehicles, even as growth across the broader EV market has slowed.
The outlet also pointed to Hyundai’s expanding lineup. Sales of the three-row Ioniq 9 reached 4,858 units during the first half, up 380% from a year earlier.
Industry analysts said Hyundai is well positioned to build on its U.S. momentum because both the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 are produced at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia, giving the automaker greater manufacturing flexibility and strengthening its competitiveness in the U.S. market.
