Hyundai just announced a new EV that looks like a less ugly Cybertruck, and it’s more practical than Tesla’s upcoming two-seater Cybercab.
The Korean automaker unveiled the IONIQ V today at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show. The new EV, with its distinctive single-curve silhouette, is part of Hyundai’s attempt to revive its EV business in China. This is the first model from Hyundai’s IONIQ EV range to be available in China, as well as the first dedicated IONIQ production vehicle designed specifically for the Chinese market.
The car comes at a time when Hyundai’s sales in China are struggling amid intense domestic competition. In 2024, the company simply sold 125,726 vehicles in the country. Meanwhile, BYD has consolidated its dominance to become the world’s largest EV seller. 2 million electric cars globally that same year.
“China is an important market for Hyundai Motor Company. The world’s most demanding EV consumers, the fastest development cycles, the deepest battery supply chain and the leading innovation ecosystem. That’s why we are tripling our commitment to China,” said Jose Muñoz, CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. press release.
The car is the first step in Hyundai’s bigger EV comeback plan for China. The automaker and its local partner BAIC Group have committed a combined 8 billion yuan (about $1.2 billion) to the Beijing Hyundai joint venture under a deal reached in December 2024.
The IONIQ V is the first of 20 new models Hyundai plans to launch in China over the next five years. The company is also targeting annual sales of 500,000 vehicles in the market.
Hyundai says the long-range version of the IONIQ V will offer a driving range of more than 600 km (about 372 miles) according to China’s CLTC test standard. That’s not bad, but it still lags behind some high-end Chinese electric cars. For example, BYD’s premium brand Denza recently launched the Z9 GT. A distance of more than 1000 km (about 644 miles).
Inside, Hyundai leans heavily towards 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 the traditional instrument cluster, relying instead on the head-up display. This approach is different from some auto manufacturers that are starting up bring back the physical buttonsbut still not as high as BMW’s It recently announced the 7 Series EVloaded with screens, including screens that run along the bottom of the windshield.
Still, despite these few drawbacks, the IONIQ V’s unique exterior design is sure to turn some heads. Unfortunately, you’ll only be able to get one in China for now.
