by Approaching Series Production
Hyundai’s next electric novelty is approaching series production. Photographers were able to not only capture the future Ioniq 3 without heavy camouflage but also look inside, where they discovered a completely new interior layout.
The Ioniq 3 is the production version of the Three concept, which Hyundai presented in September at the auto show in Munich. This model occupies a position below the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, being smaller in size and somewhat simpler in technology.
Design and Platform
While older models use the high-tech 800-volt E-GMP platform, the new “three” will receive a simplified version of this architecture with 400-volt electrical equipment.
This means somewhat slower charging and potentially less powerful engines, but also a more affordable price for Hyundai’s electric lineup and an internal competitor for the related Kia EV4. However, their completely different design means that the average buyer is unlikely to guess the connection between them.
The latest shots demonstrate a clean, confident shape with a sporty low nose but also increased ground clearance, giving the small hatchback a more crossover-like appearance than the concept had.
The door handles are recessed, not pop-out, and the tapered roofline indicates good aerodynamic characteristics, while the high-mounted trunk means that the silhouette (but not the rising window line) reminds us of the classic Alfa Romeo Sud sedan.
New Infotainment System
Inside, the Ioniq 3 looks very different compared to its Ioniq 5 and 9 siblings, abandoning their unified instrument and infotainment displays in favor of an ultra-thin digital instrument cluster directly under the windshield and a large tablet-style touchscreen mounted above the console, in Tesla style.
Speaking of this tablet-style display, as seen in the photos, it appears to be running Hyundai’s new Pleos Connect infotainment system, the launch of which is scheduled for 2026.
Built on Android Automotive OS, it uses a smartphone-like interface with customizable menus and cloud user profiles known as Pleos ID, allowing drivers to upload their settings in any car equipped with Pleos.
The system integrates Gleo AI, an intelligent voice assistant developed to control navigation, media, and car functions through natural conversation.
There are no signs of the moving digital blocks from the concept, but it’s nice to see some physical buttons and rotary knobs installed under the main display.
Powertrain
Detailed specifications still remain a mystery, but based on what we know about the Kia EV4 (which is no longer coming to the USA), it could be supplied with 58 kWh and 81.4 kWh battery options and could be launched with a single 201 hp (204 PS / 150 kW) motor driving the front wheels.
Such a configuration would provide acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just over 7 seconds and a range of about 400 miles (644 km).
Market Launch Prospects
Now that the camouflage has become less noticeable and the design details are almost complete, it seems that the Ioniq 3 is entering the final stage of development.
Hyundai is expected to unveil the production model in mid-2026. This may be the smallest Ioniq to date, but it could turn out to be the most important for Hyundai.
The transition to a 400-volt architecture could become a key factor in reducing the cost of electric cars, making them more accessible to a wide range of consumers. The new Pleos Connect infotainment system demonstrates Hyundai’s desire to compete with Tesla not only in terms of technical specifications but also in the field of user experience. The success of the Ioniq 3 could determine Hyundai’s future strategy in the affordable electric vehicle market.
