Hyundai and Kia vehicles are becoming increasingly common on US roads, largely thanks to the growth of electric vehicles. Since launching their first hybrid models in the US in 2011, including the Sonata and K5, Hyundai and Kia have made significant strides.

Currently, two out of every 10 Hyundai or Kia vehicles sold in the US are considered "environmentally friendly." These include electric vehicles (EVs), hybrids (HEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

On 25/8, after 14 years, Hyundai and Kia announced they had sold over 1.5 million environmentally friendly vehicles in the US. The South Korean conglomerate noted continued strong demand for models like the Tucson Hybrid, Ioniq 5, and Niro Hybrid.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 at a Tesla charging station in the US. Photo: Motortrend

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 at a Tesla charging station in the US. Photo: Motortrend

While 14 years is a considerable period, initially, only a few models were available. It took 11 years to reach the 500,000 mark in 2022, but in just the following three years, that number tripled.

Since reaching 100,000 sales per year in 2021, sales of environmentally friendly vehicles from the two brands have grown rapidly. Hyundai and Kia sold 182,627 vehicles in 2022, 278,122 in 2023, and 364,441 in 2024. This year, the two brands sold over 221,500 vehicles in the first six months, a 20% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

HEVs account for over 1.1 million vehicles sold, followed by EVs with nearly 375,000, and FCEVs with over 1,850.

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Kia Niro Hybrid are the two brands' best-selling environmentally friendly models in the US. The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Ioniq 5 rank second and fourth, respectively. Meanwhile, the Kia Sportage Hybrid and Sorento Hybrid rank third and fifth, respectively.

Hyundai and Kia offer a total of 19 environmentally friendly models in the US: eight HEVs and PHEVs, 10 EVs, and just one FCEV.

Both brands sold more vehicles than ever in the US during the first half of the year. With Hyundai now producing vehicles at its new electric vehicle plant in Georgia, including the 2025 Ioniq 5 and 2026 Ioniq 9, the manufacturer expects this growth to continue. Kia assembles the EV6 and EV9 at a separate plant in Georgia and will introduce the EV4, its first electric sedan, in early 2026.

Based on the advanced E-GMP platform, Hyundai and Kia's electric vehicles offer long driving range, fast charging speeds, and remain affordably priced.

With lease prices starting at just 159 USD per month, the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is one of the most affordable electric vehicle leases in the US. Even the three-row Ioniq 9 is listed with a monthly lease price starting at just 299 USD. This is a relatively low price for a three-row electric SUV with a sale price of nearly 60,000 USD.

Hyundai will continue to offer hybrid vehicles in response to policy changes under the Trump administration. The company also plans to add hybrid vehicle production in Georgia, starting in 2026.

My Anh (Electrek)