You might think a headline about the Hyundai Ioniq 5 having one of its best U.S. sales months ever might refer to the updated 2025 Ioniq 5, which will come from the factory with a charging plug that can natively use the vast Tesla Supercharger network. You'd unfortunately be wrong; that car isn't even out yet. And that makes the month the Ioniq 5 just had all the more impressive.
Hyundai reports that in October, its dealers moved 4,498 examples of the retro-futuristic electric crossover. That would make it the best October ever for the Ioniq 5, and the car's second-best sales month ever since it hit the market in force in 2022. It's also up a whole 51% since October 2023—an impressive result given how uneven EV sales have been this year for several automakers.
Generally, however, South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group has had far more wins on the electric (and increasingly, hybrid) front than losses. As we reported last week, electrified vehicle sales in particular helped Hyundai and its corporate cousin Kia to record October sales. Besides the Ioniq 5, the Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe hybrids saw 140% year-over-year growth, and for Kia, the Sportage, Carnival and EV6 all posted record October sales as well. Not all models are created equal, however; the Ioniq 6 only saw 837 sales in October, down an unfortunate 32% since last year. Sedans are a tough sell these days; SUVs, less so.
And the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 continues to make a strong case for itself. Available in rear-wheel-drive or dual-motor all-wheel-drive, it can be had in several forms, including the basic 220-mile SE Standard Range all the way up to the 303-mile RWD SEL and Limited models. (Adding AWD drops range to a still-respectable 260 miles.) Packing an 800-volt electrical system, the Ioniq 5 is a charging monster too, capable of going from 10% to 80% in a manufacturer-estimated 18 minutes on a DC fast charger with speeds of 250 kW or more. Between performance, range, charging and style, it's a tough package to beat.
Moreover, we've seen some extremely impressive lease deals and discounts on the Ioniq 5, so be sure and do your homework if you're in the market for one.
Gallery: Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT (2024)
But that package is going to get even better soon. The 2025 Ioniq 5 should be on sale soon, and since it's built in Georgia, it's expected to qualify for EV tax credits at purchase and not just when leased, as most Ioniq 5s currently are. It will also come from the factory with a Tesla-style North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug and access to the Supercharger network. Existing Ioniq 5s will be able to do the same soon via an adapter, which should offer the same level of charging performance. And the 2025 Ioniq 5 will also get a more rugged and off-road-focused XRT trim.
Hey, it's American now—it may as well lean into the vibe.
Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com
