Hyundai’s latest EV isn’t an Ioniq—but it might just be its next big hit.
When Hyundai unveiled the Elexio, an electric SUV born from its joint venture with Chinese automaker BAIC, most observers assumed it would stay confined to China’s borders. After all, cars from such collaborations often serve as regional experiments, not global exports.
Turns out, Hyundai had other plans. The company has now confirmed that the Elexio is heading for Australia, with a launch penciled in for next year. Once it lands, the Elexio will slot neatly between the Kona Electric and the Ioniq 5, giving Hyundai a three-pronged EV lineup that covers nearly every corner of the electric SUV map.
Between Two Worlds
The Elexio isn’t a rebadged Ioniq or a regional variant—it’s something different. Sitting on the E-GMP platform, it shares its bones with the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, and Kia EV6, but wears its own sheetmetal and interior styling. Think of it as Hyundai’s bridge between its Korean roots and China’s rapidly evolving EV design language.
And yes, it looks like it. The Elexio’s styling is distinct—angular, assertive, and unapologetically Chinese in influence. Whether Australian buyers embrace it is anyone’s guess, but in a market that’s warming up to Chinese-built electric SUVs, its odds look better than you’d think.
Powertrain and Range
Hyundai plans to offer three variants for Australia:
- Single-motor standard range
- Single-motor long range
- Dual-motor all-wheel drive long range
The two rear-wheel-drive versions will each use a 160 kW (215 hp) motor, while the all-wheel-drive model gets bumped to 230 kW (308 hp). If that sounds familiar, it’s because those numbers line up neatly with the Kia EV5, another E-GMP-based sibling.
All models will use an 88.1-kWh battery pack, good for a claimed 722 km (449 miles) in China’s testing cycle. Expect something closer to 500 km (311 miles) under the stricter WLTP standard—still competitive for the segment. Fast charging isn’t quite Ioniq 5-fast; a 30-to-80 percent top-up takes about 27 minutes, compared to the Ioniq 5’s impressive 18-minute sprint from 10 to 80 percent.
Cabin Tech and Design
Step inside, and you’ll find an interior that’s more Shanghai chic than Seoul minimalist. A 27-inch widescreen panel stretches across the dashboard, blending the driver display, infotainment, and even a dedicated passenger screen into one seamless expanse.
Below that, Hyundai has kept things refreshingly uncluttered. Wireless charging pads, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, and plenty of soft-touch materials create a cabin that feels more premium than its price tag might suggest. A small secondary display sits close to the windshield, serving as a minimalist gauge cluster.
Pricing and Positioning
In China, the Elexio starts at 119,800 yuan (around US$16,900) and tops out around 149,800 yuan (about US$21,100). Don’t get too excited—those prices will balloon once the Elexio crosses the Pacific.
Australian pricing hasn’t been confirmed, but industry chatter points to something in the AU$55,000 to AU$65,000 range (US$36,000–$42,600). That would place the Elexio right in the thick of the mid-size electric SUV fight, squaring off against the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, Kia EV5, and MG Marvel R.
Our Take
Hyundai is betting that the Elexio can serve as a gateway EV—something stylish enough to stand out, yet affordable enough to bring new buyers into the fold. The design might divide opinions, and its slower charging times won’t thrill road-trippers, but if Hyundai nails the local pricing, the Elexio could easily become a common sight on Australian roads.
Because in a segment where value and range matter more than badge prestige, Hyundai just might have found the sweet spot between Korean engineering and Chinese efficiency.
Source: Hyundai