Quick Highlights:
- Global debut confirmed for Munich Motor Show in September 2025
- Expected price lower than Kona Electric (£34,995 / $47,000)
- Two battery options: 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh, with up to 365 miles WLTP range
- Built in Turkey to keep costs down, featuring Hyundai’s new Pleos infotainment system
- Production begins in early 2026; European market launch expected later that year
Hyundai is preparing to drop one of its most significant electric cars yet — the all-new IONIQ 3, a compact EV that blends Tesla-rivaling range with a price tag designed to undercut the Kona Electric. The small crossover will be revealed at the Munich Motor Show in early September 2025, positioning itself right between the pint-sized Inster EV and Hyundai’s upcoming China-market EO (formerly known as the Elexio EV), before the popular Kona Electric.
Hyundai Europe boss Xavier Martinet made the brand’s intent clear: “Inster and the (IONIQ 3) are cheaper, so they’ll give us total coverage of the EV market. We want the same share in all types of powertrain,” he told TopGear. For Hyundai, the IONIQ 3 isn’t just another EV — it’s a strategic weapon aimed at broadening accessibility while pushing back against rivals like Tesla and Kia.
Price and Positioning
The Kona Electric currently starts at £34,995 ($47,000) in the UK, but insiders expect the IONIQ 3 price to slip in just below that threshold. That would give Hyundai an affordable yet more advanced option in a segment where value is everything. Production will take place in Hyundai’s Turkish plant, further helping keep costs competitive without sacrificing quality.
Battery Choices and Range
Hyundai will offer the IONIQ 3 with two battery pack options:
- 58.3 kWh delivering about 260 miles WLTP range
- 81.4 kWh stretching to a class-leading 365 miles WLTP
Key Specifications:
| Category | Details |
| Global Debut | Munich Motor Show — September 2025 |
| Production Start | Early 2026 at Hyundai’s Turkey plant |
| Price (Expected) | Below Kona Electric (£34,995 / $47,000) |
| Positioning | Slots between Hyundai Inster EV, Hyundai’s $19K Elexio EV, and Kona Electric |
| Battery Options | • 58.3 kWh — ~260 miles WLTP range • 81.4 kWh — up to 365 miles WLTP range |
| Drivetrain / Accel. | Front-wheel drive; 0–62 mph in under 8 seconds |
| Electrical System | 400 V platform (more cost-efficient, slower charging than 800 V IONIQ 5/6/9) |
| Platform Relation | Shares architecture with Kia EV3 |
| Interior & Tech | Pleos infotainment OS, OTA updates, large central display, Apple CarPlay Ultra, customizable UI, EV sound effects |
| Manufacturing Origin | Built in Turkey to reduce costs and tariffs |
| Market Focus | Europe & UK (not planned for US due to tariffs) |
That figure edges close to Tesla Model Y territory, but in a smaller, more affordable package. Acceleration should come in under eight seconds for the 0–62 mph sprint, making it more than quick enough for everyday drivers.
Unlike the IONIQ 5, 6, and 9, which run on an 800V platform, the IONIQ 3 uses a 400V system. That means slightly slower charging, but significant savings in production and consumer pricing — a tradeoff most buyers in this price band will welcome.
Interior and Technology
On the inside, the IONIQ 3 features Hyundai’s next-generation Pleos infotainment system to give the sensation of a smartphone-like experience that is smooth and app-driven. Expect a neat digital cockpit, a large central display, a multitude of connectivity features, and OTA updates to keep the software fresh. Hyundai knows technology sells in this space and is playing that card nicely.
Market Strategy and Outlook
Hyundai quietly shaped IONIQ into the second-best recognized EV brand behind Tesla in Europe; IONIQ 5, 6, and now the flagship IONIQ 9. They see an opportunity to cascade the experience to the new IONIQ 3 to an entry-level level high-volume, affordable small EV buyer.
Martinet added that Hyundai aims for EV market share parity with its ICE and hybrid lineup — signaling the brand’s long-term commitment to electrification.
Although the IONIQ 3 is not expected to enter the US due to import tariffs, it is being aimed at the European buyer already willing to purchase a small EV vehicle, like Kia has done with the new EV3, which is now the best-selling retail EV in the UK. With a price point that is competitive, range, and technology, Hyundai believes the IONIQ 3 has a chance to take on Tesla and its sibling Kia at the same time.
As Martinet stated: “People don’t go back to ICE after an EV”. The IONIQ 3 could be just the car that helps more drivers get there.
Final Take
Hyundai’s IONIQ 3 comes across as a genuine disruptor — a small EV with Tesla-level range and a price that slips under the Kona Electric. By pairing everyday affordability with serious driving distance and Hyundai’s latest tech, it’s set to be one of the most important debuts of 2025. I’ll be watching its Munich reveal closely, and if you’ve been waiting for the right time to go electric, the IONIQ 3 might be the one worth holding out for.
Sources: TopGear, Electrek, Hyundai Europe
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