Hyundai has recorded its strongest-ever first quarter in the USA, despite sales in March 2026 dipping slightly compared with last year. Ironically, much of that growth is attributed to the Korean brand’s hybrid fleet, and the Sonata and Elantra sedans in particular, over its more lucrative SUV lineup. Slight Year-Over-Year Gain With Surprising EV Numbers Jared Rosenholtz/CarBuzz/ValnetHyundai USA closed Q1 2026 with a record 205,388 units delivered, a 1% increase over the similarly record-setting 203,554 sales it posted last year. This, despite sales last month actually dropping 3% from 87,019 to 84,087 owing to what the marque cheekily refers to as “an unusually strong industry pull‑ahead last year.” Following the elimination of federal EV tax credits by the current US administration, demand for battery-electric and hybrid vehicles briefly surged early last year as customers looked to lock down lower MSRPs while they still had the chance.Even with fewer consumer incentives available than below, and with ambivalence towards battery-electric vehicles still ongoing, Hyundai has nevertheless reiterated its commitment to generating "momentum across multiple electrified segments.” Indeed, Hyundai’s hybrid-electric fleet is said to have enjoyed its best March ever, with sales for the Sonata Hybrid increasing by a massive 150%, the Elantra Hybrid jumping by 92%, and the new Santa Fe Hybrid up 31%. We should point out, though, that individual figures for these hybrid vehicles were not provided, and were instead rolled into each model line’s overall totals.HyundaiSales for Hyundai’s leading Ioniq 5 were also up 13%, year-on-year, while 9,790 sales between March 2025 and March 2026 marked a 14% increase over the 8,611 units moved in the 12 months prior. Of Hyundai USA’s remaining EV fleet, total sales for the all-electric Kona rose by 2% year-to-date, despite a 9% drop in March, while the seven-seater Ioniq 9, which debuted in November 2024 was also up. The only blemish was the 75% drop in sales for the Ioniq 6. This figure is skewed, however, since the all-electric coupe was discontinued in the USA for 2026. Dependable Tucson Still Hyundai USA’s Bestseller HyundaiOf the brand’s non-electrified fleet, the Tucson remained Hyundai’s bestseller in the USA. In total, 55,426 units of the facelifted 2025 model were sold, year-to-date – a 1% increase – while 23,721 examples were sold last month alone. That was a scant 90 more than in March 2025, but it's still an increase.Sales for the Elantra (33,063, year-to-date) and Santa Fe (33,343) were nip-and-tuck, with sales for the sedan down just 1% between March 2025 and March 2026, and the SUV peaking with a 6% rise during the same period. Among the most notable movers, however, was the Venue crossover, which recorded an 18% increase in sales last month alone, and a 12% hike year-to-date.While it’s largely good news across the board for Hyundai, it’s no real surprise that focus has shifted to, what the brand is calling, its “balanced portfolio strategy.” Recent conflict in the Middle East, for example, has led to a sharp rise in fuel prices and, ultimately, higher running costs for consumers, a situation that could, according to analysts, heavily impact the new car market long-term.