Hyundai is getting ready to shake up the electric hatchback market with a daring new concept bound for the Munich Motor Show. Dubbed Concept Three, the design study previews what will become the Ioniq 3, Hyundai’s upcoming compact EV and sibling to the Kia EV3. If the sketch is any indication, this is no ordinary commuter car—it’s a wedge of racing-inspired aggression wrapped around Hyundai’s proven E-GMP architecture.
From the side profile, Concept Three looks less like a practical hatchback and more like a two-door sports coupe. A massive rear wing, ducktail diffuser, and a front splitter that wouldn’t look out of place in touring-car racing all combine with sharply sculpted flanks and a visor-shaped greenhouse. Hyundai’s designers say the new look is rooted in a fresh philosophy called “Art of Steel,” which aims to mimic the bending and flowing of steel surfaces, emphasizing clean lines, sharp cuts, and fluid movement. Unlike the retro-inspired Ioniq 5 or the slab-sided Ioniq 9 SUV, Concept Three leans more toward the sleekness of the Ioniq 6 sedan.
The production Ioniq 3 is expected to arrive in the third quarter of 2026, with first deliveries potentially starting next summer. Underneath, it will ride on the group’s scalable E-GMP platform, meaning it should share specs with the Kia EV3. That suggests a choice between 58.3- or 81.4-kWh batteries, good for up to 590 kilometers of range, and a single front-mounted motor producing 204 horsepower and 283 Nm of torque.
Inside, Hyundai promises a step forward in everyday usability. A new infotainment system will tie driving modes to the cabin atmosphere—adjusting lighting and even ambient sound to match your chosen style. It’s an attempt to add more character and emotional connection to what’s typically the most clinical aspect of EVs.
If Hyundai holds true to the concept’s radical styling cues, the Ioniq 3 won’t just be another compact EV. It will land squarely in the ring with hot-looking electric hatches like the Cupra Born, signaling that Hyundai wants to fight on both design and driving appeal.
Crossovers are eating the world, and Volkswagen isn’t about to be left behind. With compact SUVs and high-riders dominating sales charts, VW is preparing a new entry-level electric crossover that promises to be stylish, affordable, and, most importantly, attainable. Ahead of its official unveiling on September 7 and first public showing at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich, the automaker has released design sketches that hint at what’s next in Wolfsburg’s expanding ID. lineup.
A Baby ID.4 With Big Ambitions
Think of this newcomer as a crossover spin on the ID.2all hatchback concept revealed last year. That tidy B-segment EV, shown in both standard and sporty GTI form, set the stage for Volkswagen’s push to deliver a true people’s electric car at around €25,000 ($27,000). This upcoming SUV—unnamed for now but rumored to wear an “ID.2 Cross” badge—adds the elevated driving position and chunkier styling customers crave, while still aiming to keep prices below €30,000 ($32,000). That puts it well under the larger ID.4, which starts north of €40,000 in Germany.
Near-Production, With a Concept Edge
The sketches, shared on social media by VW’s head of design Andreas Mindt, suggest a subcompact SUV with an outsized presence. Oversized wheels, stretched proportions, and futuristic LED light bars front and rear check all the concept-car boxes. A rugged skid plate underscores its crossover character, while a contrasting rear pillar with three slots nods to Volkswagen’s design experiments. Expect toned-down details by the time production begins, but the essentials—boxy stance, wide track, and clean surfacing—should carry through.
Size and Platform
Dimensionally, the SUV will likely shadow the ICE-powered T-Cross but benefit from a roomier interior thanks to its EV-specific platform. The ID.2all hatch measured 159.4 inches long with a 102.3-inch wheelbase, and this crossover shouldn’t stray far from that footprint. Underneath sits the MEB Entry architecture, a downsized, front-wheel-drive–friendly take on the VW Group’s modular EV toolkit. Unlike larger MEB-based models, which default to rear-drive, the ID.2 SUV starts with a front-mounted motor and is expected to offer both single- and dual-motor versions down the line.
Powertrain and Performance
The ID.2all concept carried a 222-hp front motor, enough for a 0–62 mph sprint in under seven seconds and a top speed of 99 mph. While the SUV may not match those figures exactly, performance should remain competitive for the segment. More powerful dual-motor AWD versions are plausible, though VW might reserve that tech for pricier trims, given limited demand in the entry-level EV market.
Built for the Masses
The production version will be assembled in Pamplona, Spain, alongside the T-Cross and Taigo. It will also share bones with the Skoda Epiq, another subcompact EV due to launch soon. Price will be critical, and VW knows it: with a target range of €25,000–30,000, the crossover will take on an army of competitors including the Peugeot e-2008, Jeep Avenger, Kia EV2 and EV3, Volvo EX30, and even Toyota’s upcoming Urban Cruiser EV.
EV Momentum
Volkswagen’s timing is strategic. The company’s EV sales grew 47 percent in the first half of the year, hitting nearly half a million units. And with the €20,000 ID.1 hatchback waiting in the wings for 2026, VW is building a stair-step ladder into full electrification. This crossover may not be the flashiest ID. model in the lineup, but it could be the most important.
If Volkswagen nails the balance of price, practicality, and personality, the ID.2 SUV could well become the Beetle of the EV age—an electric car for everyone, but wearing crossover clothes.
Lexus isn’t rewriting the playbook for the 2026 NX, but the brand’s compact luxury crossover does pick up a few thoughtful updates to keep it sharp in one of the most competitive segments on the market. Minor changes across trims, a broader range of drivetrain options, and a handful of interior and tech enhancements aim to keep the NX fresh without straying from its already successful formula.
What’s New for 2026?
The most noteworthy news is that the hybrid NX 350h can now be had with front-wheel drive, joining the existing AWD setup and opening the door to slightly better fuel economy and a lower starting price. The athletic F SPORT Handling package—previously gas-only—has migrated over to the hybrid models, meaning all NX powertrains can now be dressed for maximum attitude.
On the plug-in side, Lexus has added a Premium grade to the NX 450h+ lineup, giving shoppers a cheaper entry point into the PHEV. Every plug-in now comes standard with dual-voltage charging cables, making Level 1 and Level 2 charging a plug-and-play affair.
Cosmetic tweaks include a new Infrared paint option across all trims, while Ultra White—once limited—can now be had lineup-wide. The trim walk continues as before: Standard, Premium, Luxury, and the performance-leaning F SPORT Handling.
Engines, Hybrids, and a Plug-In Too
The NX remains a buffet of powertrains under Lexus’s “Electrified” vision. Four main flavors exist, and all come with their own strengths:
NX 350 (AWD): A turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four making 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic. It’s good for 0–60 mph in 6.6 seconds and an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined.
NX 350h (FWD or AWD): A hybrid setup with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and up to two electric motors, delivering 240 combined horsepower. The AWD variant manages 39 mpg combined, while the new FWD spec squeaks out 40 mpg and a slower 8.2-second 0–60 run.
NX 450h+ (AWD): The plug-in flagship, capable of 37 miles of electric-only range and a stellar 84 MPGe rating. Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder and hybrid system deliver a brisk 6.0-second 0–60. Fully charging the battery takes around three hours on 240V.
That spread gives the NX lineup a powertrain for nearly everyone—from traditionalists to eco-minded commuters.
Design Inside and Out
The NX’s exterior remains familiar: low center of gravity, pinched rear, and the controversial spindle grille leading the charge. Lexus offers up to eight paint choices depending on trim, with new Infrared and Ultra White brightening the palette. F SPORT Handling variants dial up the aggression with unique 20-inch wheels, blacked-out trim, and sport seats wrapped in Black and Circuit Red NuLuxe.
The cabin stays very Lexus: tightly screwed together, calm, and modern. NuLuxe upholstery is standard on lower trims, while Luxury buyers can step into leather. Interior color options span Black, Palomino, Rioja Red, and Macadamia, with ambient lighting themes (Rain Forest, Sunset, Waterfall) adding a boutique feel.
Optional niceties include a panoramic glass roof, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson surround system, and even Advanced Park, which can handle parallel and perpendicular maneuvers for you.
Tech, Safety, and Convenience
The Lexus Interface infotainment system comes standard with a 9.8-inch touchscreen, expandable to a 14-inch unit. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, along with up to six USB ports sprinkled throughout the cabin. Features like a digital key, cloud-based navigation, and Lexus’s Intelligent Assistant are available by subscription.
Every 2026 NX now rolls off the line with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. That includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic sign recognition. Newer touches like Proactive Driving Assist and Left Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection push the NX toward semi-autonomous territory.
The 2026 Lexus NX isn’t revolutionizing the compact luxury crossover segment, but it doesn’t need to. Instead, Lexus has doubled down on offering choice—whether you want turbocharged performance, hybrid efficiency, or plug-in flexibility—and wrapped it all in a package that feels premium without being fussy. The subtle updates for 2026 broaden its appeal, particularly with the new hybrid FWD option and cheaper plug-in Premium trim.
The NX won’t light a fire in enthusiasts’ hearts, but it continues to deliver exactly what most buyers in this class want: sharp looks, a serene cabin, and just enough tech and efficiency to feel ahead of the curve.
