Toyota bZ Closes In on Hyundai Ioniq 5 as US EV Rankings Shift

The Tesla Model Y remains America’s best-selling electric vehicle in 2026, but Toyota’s bZ is emerging as a stronger contender in the race among non-Tesla models.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 still ranks among the country’s leading EVs, although its sales have weakened sharply.

Tesla retains the sales lead as Toyota closes in on Hyundai

The changing rankings reflect a difficult year for much of the US electric vehicle market, where several established models have recorded steep declines. Cox Automotive data shows the Model Y holding the top position so far this year with 262,491 sales, down just 1%. The Model 3 ranks second with 106,962 year-to-date sales, while the Ioniq 5 sits third and the Toyota bZ has climbed into fourth place.

Toyota’s bZ has more than doubled its year-to-date sales, rising 103.4% to 24,944 units, helped by 2026 model-year updates that brought more range, sleeker styling and extra power. The Ioniq 5 is down 24.3% to 31,112 units despite substantial price cuts, and its third-quarter sales fell 52.8%, according to Autoblog.

Those updates have helped Toyota’s electric crossover move closer to the Ioniq 5 in the sales rankings. If the current trend continues, the bZ could challenge for the title of America’s best-selling non-Tesla EV, although it still trails the Hyundai for now.

EV sales rankings shift as several established models lose ground

The Model Y’s continued lead comes amid a broader downturn, with US electric vehicle sales down 30% over the first three quarters of 2026. Softer demand, the end of the federal tax credit in 2025 and growing buyer interest in cheaper hybrids have all weighed on the market.

Other automakers have faced even steeper declines. Sales of the Chevrolet Equinox EV were down 65.6%, the Ford Mustang Mach-E fell 59%, the Nissan Leaf dropped 50.1% and the Volkswagen ID.4 declined 85.6%. Most of those models had been outselling the Toyota bZ a year earlier.

The competitive picture has also shifted between brands. Rivian, ranked tenth among EV brands a year ago, has climbed to second place, helped by the new R2, its first mainstream EV. Meanwhile, some automakers have canceled EVs or rushed out fully refreshed models as demand has become harder to predict.

EVs made up just 10% of US car sales in 2025, according to Automotive News, compared with a 53% share in China. Toyota and Subaru are the only legacy automakers showing meaningful EV sales growth in 2026.

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