by Pros: Good technology, comfortable ride, better than the EV5. Cons: Weak ADAS system, high price, low efficiency, slow charging.
A New Player in the Electric Car Market
The share of electric vehicles in new sales in Australia is just over 8 percent, so they are not yet dominant. However, the competitive struggle has intensified sharply in recent years, largely due to a wave of new Chinese brands. Hyundai’s response to this challenge is the Elexio, its latest electric car aimed precisely at this fast-growing segment.
The Elexio is unlike any other electric Hyundai. The key point is that it was not developed entirely independently, but was created in a joint venture with BAIC Motors. This means it is manufactured in China, utilizing the country’s huge production scale and efficiency, combined with the engineering experience and brand weight of a player like Hyundai. When it was introduced last year, it seemed it would remain a China-only model. However, it is now in Australia.
Specifications and Positioning
› Model: 2026 Hyundai Elexio Elite
› Starting Price: AU$61,990 ($44,000) in the tested configuration
› Dimensions: 181.6 inches length x 73.8 width x 65.8 height (4,615 x 1,875 x 1,673 mm)
› Wheelbase: 108.2 inches (2,750 mm)
› Weight: 2,105 kg (4,640 lbs)
› Powertrain: Single electric motor / 88.1 kWh battery
› Power: 215 hp (160 kW) / 236 lb-ft (320 Nm)
› 0-62 mph: ~8.0 seconds
› Transmission: Single-speed
› Efficiency: 19.5 kWh/100 km per test results
› On Sale: Now
According to Hyundai, the Elexio is designed to slot between the Kona EV and Ioniq 5 in the lineup, serving as a fully electric alternative to the Hyundai Tucson. It is Hyundai’s answer to popular competitors like the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV5, BYD Sealion 7, and Xpeng G6, which is reflected in its price.
Competitive Pricing Policy
Two versions will be offered: the base Elexio and the flagship Elexio Elite. Prices for the base version will start from AU$58,990, while the Elite will cost from AU$61,990. However, the Elite will be available for AU$59,990 drive-away as a limited offer until the end of March. Hyundai predicts great success for the Elexio and expects it to become its best-selling electric car in Australia. Achieving this will not be easy. The Kia EV6 is cheaper, the Tesla Model Y Premium is available from AU$58,900, and the BYD Sealion 7 Premium starts from AU$54,990. The excellent Zeekr 7X is also cheaper.
Large Battery and Average Charging Speed
What can you expect when buying an Elexio? Like Hyundai’s Ioniq models, and unlike the Kia EV5, the Chinese Elexio uses the familiar E-GMP platform. However, it does not have an 800-volt architecture like the Ioniq, instead using a 400-volt system. Given this, charging the battery from 10 to 80 percent on a 150 kW charger, with a peak speed of 120 kW, will take 38 minutes. This is slightly slower than the Kia EV5. However, Hyundai has a much larger and more practical 88.1 kWh battery.
This battery powers a front-wheel-drive electric motor with 160 kW (215 hp) and 310 Nm of torque. Hyundai claims a combined efficiency of 18.2 kWh/100 km, which is decent but clearly not a leading figure.
Digitally-Focused Interior
First impressions of the Elite trim interior are of being fully loaded. The cabin is dominated by a massive widescreen 27-inch display that spans both the central multimedia screen and a passenger display. This screen runs Hyundai’s new Android Automotive-based Hyundai Connect-C infotainment system with a powerful Snapdragon 8295 processor and Unreal 3D graphics engine.
While several cars with similar passenger and multimedia screens are sold in China, this is one of the first implementations of such a display in Western markets. It looks great, providing excellent color quality, clarity, and responsiveness. However, it is not very convenient to use while driving. Even being tall enough to reach the climate control elements or settings required leaning forward. More traditional screens in other modern Hyundai models are much more convenient.
On the other hand, the new Connect-C system is good and much more modern than Hyundai’s old software. It has much more in common with a smartphone, with convenient shortcuts on the driver’s side. For the first time in a Hyundai, the traditional instrument cluster has been replaced by a projection display. In photos, it doesn’t look like a HUD, but rather like a physical panel located at the base of the windshield. In reality, it is a true projection display that projects onto a small black area of the windshield, providing better contrast. An obvious drawback is that if you damage the glass, you will likely need an original replacement from Hyundai with this black element, not a universal one.
Quality and Space
The rest of the interior is quite minimalist, as with many modern electric cars. In terms of build quality, it feels on par with some Chinese competitors like the BYD Sealion 7, and is certainly more premium than the Kia EV5. The cabin features soft Alcantara on the dashboard and door panels, as well as heated and ventilated front seats and leather. Two wireless chargers are also standard for the Elite.
Overall, space and comfort are good for both front and rear seats. Despite a shorter wheelbase compared to the Ioniq 5, there is still enough legroom in the rear for adults. Trunk volume is 506 liters or 1,540 liters with the rear seats folded.
Driving Characteristics
Driving the Elexio showed it to be a competent car, and it handles some tasks well. However, it fails to stand out among competitors, and some refinements could take it to the next level.
As befits an electric car, the Elexio’s powertrain is smooth and quiet, providing more than enough power for everyday driving. With the same 160 kW as the front-wheel-drive Kia EV5, it fortunately does not suffer from the terrible torque steer characteristic of the EV5. However, like the EV5, the Elexio is prone to inner front wheel spin when the accelerator is pressed sharply.
Efficiency is not very high. After several trips, the average consumption was 19.5 kWh/100 km, which is quite a lot, especially considering that the more powerful Sealion 7 Performance had an average consumption of 20.5 kWh/100 km.
Like other Hyundai and Kia electric cars, the Elexio has steering wheel paddles to adjust the level of regenerative braking, which is very convenient. The transition between mechanical brakes and regeneration is seamless. The brand states that the Elexio, like most cars they sell in Australia, has been specifically adapted for local roads. Its suspension proved to be comfortable and softer than many other electric cars, which can be too harsh on bumps.
Software Needs Refinement
During the press briefing, Hyundai hinted that the Elexio’s driver assistance systems were also tuned for local conditions. Despite this, further improvements are needed. During highway trips, there were several instances where the lane-keeping assist system did not recognize clearly marked lines, causing the car to slowly drift into adjacent lanes. Slow “ping-ponging” between markings was also observed. This is strange, as dozens of other Hyundai and Kia models have excellent lane-keeping systems.
Furthermore, there was an incident where, with adaptive cruise control engaged on a country road, the Elexio suddenly braked, even though there were no objects ahead. The system was likely confused by a large truck moving in the opposite direction. The driver monitoring system is overly active, triggering when you yawn or look away from the road. Additionally, turning it off requires several steps in the menu, which is annoying.
Conclusions and Prospects
The Hyundai Elexio is certainly better than the Kia EV5, which quickly gained popularity in Australia. Given this, there is a good chance that the Elexio will also sell well for Hyundai, and will likely attract many buyers who were previously interested in the Kona EV or Ioniq 5.
However, buyers may want to exercise patience before purchasing an Elexio. Earlier this year, Hyundai significantly reduced prices for the Inster and Kona Electric. If internal sales targets are not met, similar price adjustments for the Elexio would hardly be a surprise. No less important, Hyundai’s latest electric car still needs some software improvements, especially for the ADAS systems, before it becomes an undisputed choice in an increasingly crowded segment.
The arrival of the Elexio on the Australian market clearly demonstrates how the global automotive industry is adapting to challenges from new manufacturers. The model, created in collaboration with a Chinese partner, combines technological solutions and
