► Hyundai announces plans for China
► Ioniq V is first of new wave of models
► CEO: China defining future of mobility
This might look like a Toyota Prius knocked off for a computer game, but it’s actually the new Hyundai Ioniq V electric car – the first Ioniq model built for China, and so far exclusive to that market.
Revealed at the 2026 Beijing motor show, it’s the first step of the firm’s renewed China strategy, described as ‘In China, For China, To Global’. Hyundai is ‘positioning China not only as a key market, but as a strategic base for innovation, advanced development and future global competitiveness.’
This is further recognition of China as the current cutting edge of automotive development, as Hyundai becomes another carmaker not only looking to be present there but also leverage this key market ‘as a strategic base for innovation, advanced development and future global competitiveness.’
What’s the Hyundai Ioniq V, then?
It’s a spacious ‘single curve’ design (ie: like a Prius – and the original Hyundai Ioniq) family car with a vast 27-inch panoramic display and an ‘AI-based user experience’.
As the production version of the Hyundai Venus concept car – first shown in 2025 alongside the Hyundai Earth SUV concept – as well as being deliberately tailored for the Chinese market, the Ioniq V also launches a new ‘The Origin’ design language. This will define all of Hyundai’s future China EVs.
Details include the ‘edge’ lighting, which helps broaden the car’s stance, frameless doors, and floating door mirrors. No drag figures have been given yet, but it’s been optimised for efficiency, and Hyundai is claiming a driving range of over 600km from the long-range variant. That’s 379 miles. The battery tech comes from China’s CATL, and is cited as a further example of expanding collaboration.
The Ioniq V is 4.9m long and the cabin-space is described as ‘class-leading’ for passengers front and rear. In addition to the massive ‘ultra-thin’ 4k in-car display, it also features something called a Horizon head-up display (H-HUD) to further assist the driver. Nine airbags, a 360-degree safety system, and a means of preventing people accidentally jumping on the wrong pedal are other highlights.
The in-built Smart AI system, which runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chipset, will supposedly allow ‘fast, responsive control of key vehicle functions through intuitive voice interaction.’
The Ioniq V is also said to have comfort-orientated suspension and a high level of refinement, making it quiet inside. All the better to experience the eight-speaker Dolby Atmos audio system – which is said to bring ‘new levels of emotion’ for ‘music, movies and more’.
What else is Hyundai doing in China?
Hyundai Motor Company CEO, Jose Munoz, said: ‘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.’
He added: ‘With significant investments into Beijing Hyundai [a joint venture with Beijing Automotive Group], 20 new models coming over the next five years, the official launch of our IONIQ brand in China and the unveiling of IONIQ V, this is the most committed, the most ambitious, and the most exciting chapter we have ever written in this market.
‘China is where the future of mobility is being defined, and Hyundai intends to help define it, In China, For China, and ultimately, for the world.’
Strong stuff.
The Ioniq V will be followed by an additional SUV model in the first half of 2027 – it would seem likely this will be based on the Earth concept, the Ioniq E, maybe – and then a ‘broader rollout’ of cars that meet other midsize and larger segment requirements. These will be followed by a mix of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs – variations on the theme of hybrid).
The goals is for Beijing Hyundai to deliver annual sales of 500,000 units – a figure Hyundai believes is possible thanks to a mix of renewed growth in the Chinese market and increased export opportunities. At the moment, as far as Hyundai’s UK press office is aware, there are ‘no plans to bring it [Ioniq V] or any other locally produced car to Europe.’
