Hyundai just announced a new EV that looks like a less dorky Cybertruck, and it’s a lot more practical than Tesla’s upcoming two-seat Cybercab.
The Korean automaker unveiled the IONIQ V today at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show. The new EV, with a distinctive single-curve silhouette, is part of Hyundai’s push to revive its EV business in China. It’s the first model from Hyundai’s IONIQ EV lineup available in China, as well as the first dedicated IONIQ production vehicle built specifically for the Chinese market.
The car arrives as Hyundai’s sales in China have struggled amid intense local competition. In 2024, the company sold just 125,726 vehicles in the country. Meanwhile, BYD cemented its dominance, becoming the world’s largest EV seller after delivering more than 2 million electric vehicles globally that same year.
“China is an essential market for Hyundai Motor Company. The world’s most demanding EV consumers, the fastest development cycles, the deepest battery supply chain, and an advanced innovation ecosystem. That is why we are tripling down on our commitment to China,” said Hyundai Motor Company CEO José Muñoz in a press release.
This car is just the first step in Hyundai’s bigger EV comeback plan for China. The automaker and its local partner, BAIC Group, committed a combined 8 billion yuan (about $1.2 billion) to their Beijing Hyundai joint venture under a deal reached in December 2024.
The IONIQ V is the first of 20 new models Hyundai plans to introduce in China over the next five years. The company is also aiming to reach 500,000 annual vehicle sales in the market.
Hyundai says the long-range version of the IONIQ V will offer over 600 km (about 372 miles) of driving range under China’s CLTC testing standard. That’s not bad, but it still lags behind some high-end Chinese EVs. BYD’s premium brand Denza, for example, recently unveiled the Z9 GT with an estimated range of over 1,000 km (about 644 miles).
Inside, Hyundai is leaning hard into a minimalist, screen-heavy design. The IONIQ V largely skips physical controls in favor of a 27-inch ultra-thin 4K panoramic display. It also ditches a traditional instrument cluster, relying instead on a head-up display. That approach stands in contrast to some automakers that are starting to bring back physical buttons, but it’s still not as over-the-top as BMW’s recently announced 7 Series EV, which is loaded with screens, including one that stretches across the bottom part of the windshield.
Still, despite those few drawbacks, the IONIQ V’s unique exterior design will undoubtedly turn some heads. Unfortunately, for now, you’ll only be able to get your hands on one in China.
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