Hyundai plans to debut a new electric vehicle falling under the B-segment category in the year 2026.
Hyundai Motor Company has announced plans to introduce a new B-segment electric car next year, designed, engineered, and built in Europe. The new model, which will be positioned above the recently launched Hyundai INSTER, is expected to be unveiled at the Munich Motor Show in September 2025.
### Name and Design
The upcoming car is rumoured to carry the Ioniq name, possibly as "Ioniq 2," or it may feature a different badge separate from the current Ioniq lineup. The design direction remains uncertain, with possibilities including a conventional hatchback, competing against models like the Renault 5 and Vauxhall Corsa Electric, or a high-riding SUV aimed at rivals such as the Renault 4 and Kia EV3.
### Competition
The vehicle will compete in the European B-segment electric car market, targeting competitors in the small hatchback and SUV categories. With its anticipated launch in 2026, the new Hyundai model will join the growing ranks of electric vehicles in the European market.
### Features and Technology
The new car is expected to be built on Hyundai's E-GMP platform, which supports their dedicated electric vehicles, offering efficient battery placement and performance. It is also anticipated to feature Hyundai’s Pleos operating system, Hyundai's advanced in-car OS designed to enhance user experience with improved connectivity, smart functions, and integration of digital services.
Xavier Chardon, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe, expressed a vision for the new car, stating that it is intended to connect with European customer expectations and is a key part of their strategy to perform in the European market. Hyundai sees big opportunities in the B-segment market, and this new car is a testament to their commitment to offering a product that is not just technically sound but truly tailored to European customer expectations.
- Hyundai Motor Company's new B-segment electric car, anticipated to debut in 2026, may carry the Ioniq name or a separate badge, hinted to be an evolved hatchback or a high-riding SUV.
- Positioned to challenge competitors in the small hatchback and SUV categories, the upcoming Hyundai model will aim to carve out a space in the competitive European B-segment electric car market.
- Built on Hyundai's E-GMP platform, the new car offers efficient battery placement and performance, while Hyundai’s Pleos operating system promises an enhanced user experience with improved connectivity, smart functions, and integration of digital services.
- As Hyundai Motor Europe's President and CEO, Xavier Chardon, emphasizes, the new car is designed with European customer expectations in mind, signaling the company's commitment to deliver a product that is not just technically sound but genuinely tailored to the continent's cultural and lifestyle preferences, with the B-segment market offering significant growth opportunities.
