Hyundai has unveiled a brand new IONIQ. The IONIQ V, a wedge-shaped electric SUV, made its debut at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show. The vehicle, which sits on a platform Hyundai co-developed with a Beijing-based manufacturer, is pretty distinct from the regular IONIQ lineup and made with China in mind.
The vehicle is based on the “Venus” concept that Hyundai unveiled in China a few weeks ago. In fact, it appears to be essentially identical, right down to the paint color. Both the concept and the “IONIQ V” production version embrace a styling direction Hyundai has named “The Origin,” which seems to embrace things like a wedge-shaped form factor, frameless doors, and floating side mirrors.
If you’re a fan of buttons, you’ll be glad this one’s staying across the Pacific. There are no physical controls inside, nor is there a driver’s display. A 27-inch 4K touchscreen covers the passenger side of the dashboard, while all the driver’s info is presented via a HUD.
In terms of performance, we don’t have a ton to go on. We know the new SUV is sitting on an 800V platform, so fast charging should be a breeze. Hyundai is also claiming a range of more than 373 miles, based on Chinese testing standards.
Pricing, motor output, exact charging speeds, battery specs, an official range, and an exact launch date for the vehicle have yet to be announced. Though you would expect pricing and range to both be very competitive, considering the market the IONIQ V is heading into. China is in the middle of a particularly vicious automotive price war that has seen major companies like Volkswagen lose significant market share, and even domestic giants like BYD struggle.
The new IONIQ may read like an IONIQ 5 in Rome, but you’re not going to see one on the streets of Italy any time soon. Or anywhere else outside of China for that matter. The EV was built with the highly competitive Chinese market in mind, and that’s where it will stay for the time being.
The IONIQ V is one of many new vehicles from Hyundai
While there was some speculation that the South Korean automaker could pull back from the Chinese market, it has seemingly decided to double down there instead. The IONIQ V is just one of 20 vehicles that Hyundai claims it will launch in China over the next five years.
All of the launches are part of a partnership with Beijing Automotive Group, the company Hyundai developed the platform for the IONIQ V with. Koreans hope Hyundai will sell around half a million vehicles a year in China by 2030.
In addition to the IONIQ V, Hyundai is expected to launch another SUV in the Asian country early next year. Reuters claims that the idea is to “target younger Chinese with lineups including plug-in hybrids” in an attempt to stand out from other foreign manufacturers currently building local ties in the country. Manufacturers like Ford have well established links to Chinese automotive manufacturers, and could be looking to expand those partnerships in future.
As for the US market, Hyundai unveiled the Boulder during the New York Auto Show at the start of April. Again, it was more of a concept, with not much in the way of specs. But it shows that the South Korean automaker does have some unique ideas going forward at least. Even if those unique ideas look a lot like a Bronco concept from a few years ago, or some sort of Cybertruck/Lamborghini Countach combo.
