Hyundai’s Biggest Success Story So Far This Year Isn’t an SUV

The South Korean Marque’s Best July Yet

Hyundai has plenty to celebrate after smashing its own July sales record in the US, moving 82,480 cars – a 4% jump over last year. Hybrids are still flying off the lot, and SUVs are doing what they always do: making up almost three-quarters of the action.

Sure, the Hyundai Tucson is still king of the automaker’s sales mountain. But the real plot twist this year? It’s not about the compact SUV.

Hyundai Sedans Have Been Really Popular So Far

That honor goes to the Hyundai Elantra. Hyundai has already moved 96,954 of these compact sedans this year, making it the brand’s silver medalist in the US. Even better, Elantra sales are up 11% for the year, and July alone saw a wild 39% leap.

Perhaps even more telling is who it’s beating. The Elantra has comfortably moved ahead of two of Hyundai’s biggest SUVs – the Santa Fe, with 77,376 year-to-date sales, and the redesigned Palisade, with 75,626 units. In a market that has long favored high-riders, that’s a notable achievement for a traditional sedan.

And it’s not just the Elantra making noise. The Sonata is also quite popular, racking up 42,275 sales so far – up 13% from last year. July was especially kind, with an 18% boost. The Sonata Hybrid also just had its best July ever.

A Mixed Picture Across the Rest of the Lineup

Zooming out, Hyundai’s lineup is holding steady. Tucson is still way out front with 137,326 sold so far, with the Elantra hot on its heels. Santa Fe is hanging in there despite a tiny 2% dip, while Palisade keeps climbing – up 7% over last year. Venue is inching up, but Kona took a bit of a tumble, down 8%.

Hyundai’s electrified vehicles are hogging the spotlight, too. July was Hyundai’s best month ever for hybrids, with sales jumping 35%. The Elantra Hybrid, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson Hybrid all smashed their own July records, proving buyers still love sipping fuel no matter what shape their car comes in.

Battery-electric models are a mixed bag. The Ioniq 5 is down a bit this year, and the Ioniq 6 is still having a tough time. But the new kid, Hyundai Ioniq 9, has already doubled last year’s total – even if July wasn’t its best month.

The Tucson Still Leads, But Change Could Be Coming

No question, Tucson is still Hyundai’s sales champ. It’s sitting pretty at the top and even managed a solid 6% boost so far this year.

But Tucson’s reign might be about to get interesting. The current model is nearing the end of its run, and Hyundai’s already out testing the next-gen version, set to drop later this year. Spy shots hint at a boxier look, a tidier cabin with a giant screen, and a more upscale vibe – plus, real buttons are sticking around.

Will the redesign push Tucson even higher? Time will tell. For now, Hyundai’s real plot twist for 2026 isn’t another SUV flex – it’s a compact sedan quietly stealing the spotlight.