Hyundai Just Dropped Jaw-Dropping September Sales Numbers
Hyundai just crushed its own records. The Korean automaker sold over 71,000 vehicles in September. That’s a first for the brand in the US market. This comes right after sister company Kia broke the 80,000-unit barrier. The Korean duo is absolutely dominating right now.
The Numbers Tell the Story
September 2025 was exceptional for Hyundai. Sales jumped 14 % compared to last year. We’re talking 71,003 units versus 62,491 in September 2024. That’s significant growth in a competitive market.
Year-to-date numbers look even better. Hyundai has sold 678,349 vehicles through September.
That’s an 11 % increase over the same period last year.
| Model | 2025 Sept Sales | 2024 Sept Sales | YoY Change (%) | 2025 YTD (Jan–Sep) | 2024 YTD (Jan–Sep) | YTD YoY Change (%) | Rank by Volume |
| Hyundai (Total) | 71,003 | 62,491 | 14 | 678,349 | 610,494 | 11 | – |
| Tucson | 17,569 | 16,802 | 5 | 165,239 | 145,947 | 13 | 1 |
| Elantra | 13,808 | 11,186 | 23 | 116,212 | 101,618 | 14 | 2 |
| Santa Fe | 10,114 | 7,918 | 28 | 102,160 | 83,681 | 22 | 3 |
| IONIQ 5 | 8,408 | 3,336 | 152 | 41,091 | 30,318 | 36 | 4 |
| Palisade | 6,790 | 8,202 | -17 | 92,782 | 81,792 | 13 | 5 |
| Santa Cruz | 1,788 | 2,125 | -16 | 20,633 | 25,171 | -18 | 9 |
| Kona | 4,078 | 5,144 | -21 | 57,278 | 64,508 | -11 | 6 |
| Sonata | 3,722 | 5,575 | -33 | 45,914 | 48,430 | -5 | 7 |
| Venue | 2,836 | 1,602 | 77 | 23,728 | 19,843 | 20 | 8 |
| IONIQ 9 | 1,075 | 0 | – | 4,177 | 0 | – | 10 |
| IONIQ 6 | 814 | 599 | 36 | 9,132 | 9,097 | 0 | 11 |
| Nexo | 1 | 2 | -50 | 3 | 89 | -97 | 12 |
Electrification is Driving Growth
The Ioniq 5 absolutely exploded in September. Sales skyrocketed 152 % year-over-year. We’re talking 8,408 units sold in a single month. That’s not just growth. That’s a statement about electric vehicle demand.
Year-to-date, the Ioniq 5 has moved 41,091 units. That’s a 36 % increase over 2024. The Ioniq 6 sedan posted solid gains too. September sales rose 36 % to 814 units. The brand-new Ioniq 9 made its debut with 1,075 sales. Impressive for a first month on the market.
Hyundai’s electric lineup is clearly resonating with American buyers. The charging infrastructure concerns? Apparently not stopping these shoppers.
Traditional Models Still Dominate
- The Tucson remains Hyundai’s volume king. It moved 17,569 units in September, up 5 %. Year-to-date sales reached 165,239 units. That’s a 13 % gain over last year.
- The Elantra posted impressive numbers, too. September sales hit 13,808 units, a 23 % jump. For the year, it’s moved 116,212 units with 14 % growth.
- The Santa Fe continues its hot streak. Sales surged 28 % in September to 10,114 units. Year-to-date numbers show 102,160 sold, up 22 %.
- Even the quirky Venue subcompact saw a massive 77 % September spike. It sold 2,836 units last month.
Some Models Faced Headwinds
Not every model posted gains, though.
- The Sonata struggled with a 33 % September decline. Sales dropped to 3,722 units from 5,575 last year. Year-to-date numbers are down 5 % too.
- The Kona fell 21 % in September. It moved 4,078 units compared to 5,144 last year.
- The Santa Cruz pickup saw a 16 % September drop. Only 1,788 units sold versus 2,125 in 2024. Year-to-date sales are down 18 % too.
- The outgoing Palisade declined 17 % in September. But context matters here. Buyers are waiting for the redesigned version that’s already been revealed.
Smart shoppers hold off when they know something better is coming soon.
What This Means for Hyundai
These numbers validate Hyundai’s product strategy completely. The brand bet big on electrification while maintaining strong traditional offerings. That balanced approach is paying dividends. Electric models grow rapidly while gas-powered vehicles hold steady. The Palisade dip is temporary. Once the new version hits dealers, expect those numbers to rebound hard.
Conclusion
Hyundai isn’t slowing down. The redesigned Palisade arrives soon and should boost sales significantly.
A new body-on-frame pickup truck is confirmed. Hyundai is also considering a matching SUV to compete in that space.
The performance N division is expanding too. A second-generation Elantra N is in development. More high-performance models will follow. This momentum should carry well into 2026 and beyond. Hyundai is playing the long game brilliantly.
September’s performance isn’t just about one month. It reflects years of strategic planning paying off.
Hyundai has transformed from a budget brand to a genuine mainstream contender. These vehicles compete directly with Toyota, Honda, and even premium brands.
The 71,003-unit September represents Hyundai’s best-ever performance for that month. It’s a milestone that seemed impossible just a few years ago. What are your thoughts about Hyundai’s jaw-dropping September Sales? Let us know in the comments below. Keep following the Arabwheels Blog for more content like this.
