Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Two Korean EVs, One WinnerHyundai and Kia are on a roll this year, with the Korean automakers both posting record U.S. sales last month. Both automakers have already sold over 500,000 vehicles each across the country in 2026 as demand for their SUVs and hybrids have soared. While many Hyundai and Kia models achieve comparable sales results, one pair of models jumped out at us: the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is selling over five times as many units as the Kia EV6, despite being in the same segment. It's a rare case of a model from one brand completely dominating the other, so why is this happening? Here's a closer look at the numbers.Related: Hyundai's Biggest Success Story So Far This Year Isn't an SUVKia EV6 Struggles as Ioniq 5 Stays Steady2026 Kia EV6KiaView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementSales of both of these compact electric SUVs are down in 2026, as has been the case for most EVs in America since the tax credit fell away. But the Ioniq 5 has stayed a lot steadier than the EV6 this year.While the Ioniq 5 has generally outperformed the EV6 on the sales charts, the gap between the two vehicles has widened considerably in 2026. The Hyundai is now 17,745 units ahead, despite their similar pricing and size. Both EVs offer fast charging, just under 320 miles of range, high-tech interiors, and share the same E-GMP platform.Why Do Buyers Prefer The Ioniq 5?2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 NHyundaiThere are a few possible reasons for the Hyundai's dominance over the Kia.PricingThe first plausible explanation for the Hyundai's greater sales success may come down to pricing. Presently, the Ioniq 5 starts at $35,000, while the EV6 is $37,900 to start. That price advantage continues as you work your way through the range, with the 225-horsepower models starting at $37,500 for the Hyundai and $41,200 for the Kia. Hyundai cut prices of the Ioniq 5 by nearly $10,000 in 2025 and it has remained the cheaper option.AdvertisementAdvertisementRelated: Hyundai Cut The Ioniq 5 N Price Enough To Worry TeslaIoniq 5 Arrived First, Stealing The EV6's ThunderThe Hyundai Ioniq 5 arrived first and was also the first EV developed on the E-GMP platform. It quickly set new standards in the EV segment and won a flurry of awards, including the 2022 World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle, and World Car Design of the Year at the World Car Awards. By the time the EV6 arrived, the Hyundai had already established itself as one of the EVs to beat, despite the EV6 matching it and even bettering it in certain aspects.Only The Hyundai Has A Performance ModelThe Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has emerged as one of the most engaging EVs available at any price. A true driver's car, it's much more than a straight-line monster and is equally adept at high cornering speeds. It's a car that significantly boosted the image of performance EVs and the Ioniq 5 lineup in general. Kia did have a performance EV6 known as the EV6 GT, but it was killed off in the U.S. and never made headlines like the Ioniq 5 N. That's mostly due to the fact that Kia doesn't have a dedicated performance division.2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5Hyundai2026 Kia EV6KiaDesign and InteriorWhile it's impossible to know how many buyers chose the Hyundai because they prefer its design, these cars look different enough for that to be a possible factor. The EV6 looks more the part of a sporty hatchback, while the Ioniq 5's proportions are a little more in line with a traditional SUV.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn a comparison we conducted of the two vehicles' interiors, we marginally preferred the Hyundai. It's a little more spacious, the controls are easier to use, and materials are slightly more premium. It's a close call, but this could be another decisive factor for many buyers.Final Thoughts2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 NHyundaiView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleBeyond pricing, the growing sales gap between the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 is a surprising development for two vehicles that are otherwise so closely matched. Interestingly, in the three-row category, the Kia EV9 is currently outselling the Hyundai Ioniq 9, so Hyundai's dominance at a lower price point isn't being mirrored there.Ultimately, both of these vehicles are among the best compact electric crossovers around. They have the range, performance, practicality, and tech to challenge almost anything else. But Kia might be scratching its head and wondering what it can do to get the EV6's sales up to its cousin's level.AdvertisementAdvertisementRelated: I Drove the 2026 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD. This is My Honest ReviewThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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