Multiple media outlets are reporting of uncertainty facing some Hyundai and Kia electric models for 2026.
Since the federal EV tax credit expired in September, sales of electric cars have decreased. Hyundai and Kia were expanding their EV lineups, but now it seems the standard Ioniq 6 and EV6 GT won’t be available in the United States this year.
Ioniq 6
A preview of the refreshed 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 was unveiled last year, but no 2026 versions are currently listed on Hyundai’s site. This electric sedan had many excited with its fast charging, advanced tech, swoopy exterior, and five trim levels.
A Hyundai spokesperson told Car and Driver, “Going forward, our award-winning Ioniq 6 lineup will consist of the all-new Ioniq 6 N,” and then confirmed that “the non-N versions of the Ioniq 6 would not return for the 2026 model year.”
Hyundai’s U.S. website does reference the high-performance Ioniq 6 N, which boasts over 600 horsepower. Hyundai says that this vehicle is “coming in 2026 with extremely limited availability at select dealers.”
The standard 2026 Ioniq 6 is available in markets outside of the U.S., with the refreshed look previewed in 2025. If you’re in the market for an Ioniq 6, there are still 2025 models on dealer lots.
EV6
Kia’s website lists the 2025 EV6 and 2026 EV9, but there’s no mention of a 2026 EV6.
Kia told Car and Driver, “EV6 remains in the Kia lineup” and that there would be “more news on it shortly.” Kia also told Road & Track, “Due to changing market conditions, the 2026 EV6 GT will be delayed until further notice. This delay does not impact the availability of other trims in the EV6 lineup, which are proudly assembled in our world-class facility in West Point, Georgia.”
Hyundai and Kia both utilize Georgia for U.S. production. Road & Track points out that the other EV6 models are produced in the United States; only the GT trim would need to be imported. Import tariffs and a high MSRP are possible reasons this particular high-performance trim won’t make it to the U.S.
EV3 and EV4
Like the EV6 GT, the EV3 and EV4 are also built in South Korea and are cars Kia has not said much about. Kia previewed a 2026 EV4 sedan, which isn’t mentioned on its U.S. website, leading Car and Driver to speculate that it won’t be available in this market this year either.
We’ve seen automakers skip a model year before. Recently, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the Hyundai Kona Electric are examples. Perhaps 2027 will be the year we finally get to experience these extended electric lineups.
