Hyundai is about to make its boldest move yet in Europe’s electric arena — and it’s aiming squarely at one of the hottest new battlegrounds in the industry. The upcoming Ioniq 2, a compact, Bayon-sized electric crossover, is designed to lock horns with the incoming Renault 4, Volkswagen ID 2X, and Skoda Epiq.
Expected to debut at next month’s Munich Motor Show before hitting showrooms in Q3 2026, the Ioniq 2 will be Hyundai’s ticket into the rapidly growing affordable EV hatchback segment. More than just another model, it’s a strategic play to close the gap with sibling brand Kia, which outsold Hyundai in Europe by fewer than 8,000 units in the first half of 2025.
Closing the Gap — and the Price
Sitting between Hyundai’s compact Inster EV and the Kona Electric, the Ioniq 2 is set to share much of its DNA with Kia’s upcoming EV2. Both will ride on Hyundai Motor Group’s scalable E-GMP architecture, a platform already underpinning everything from the Kia EV6 to the Hyundai Ioniq 5. That means the 2 is likely to borrow the EV3’s choice of battery packs — 58.3kWh for a 267-mile range, or 81.4kWh for up to 372 miles — paired with a 201-hp front-mounted motor.
Pricing will hover around £25,000, making it one of the most attainable E-GMP-based EVs yet.
Design: Camouflage Can’t Hide Ambition
Spy shots show a raised hatchback profile with a raked roofline, echoing the proportions of Volkswagen’s ID 2X. Expect a sharp, technical nose inspired by the Ioniq 6, complete with slim LED lighting and an aggressive stance. Inside, Hyundai is promising a “step change” in usability, with a wide, continuous display stretching across half the dashboard — part instrument cluster, part infotainment hub — and a cabin more tech-focused than the current Tucson hybrid.
Why It Matters
The Ioniq 2’s arrival is perfectly timed. Europe’s affordable EV market is about to explode, led by the Renault 4’s summer launch and the imminent debuts of VW’s ID 2X and Skoda’s Epiq. By stepping into this space, Hyundai isn’t just broadening its six-strong EV line-up — it’s positioning itself for a major sales surge.
Hyundai Europe boss Xavier Martinet puts it plainly: “We are very much involved with the electrification of our line-up and to increase our electrified mix in the coming years.” The Ioniq 2 could be the model that turns that plan from ambition into dominance.
Source: Hyundai; Photo: CarSpyMedia