Hyundai’s China-developed Elexio electric SUV has been spotted in Australia for the first time, confirming that what started life as a China-only EV is now headed overseas. The midsize, five-seat model was photographed on a transporter in Melbourne, as per Cars Guide, wearing only light camouflage, and Hyundai has since confirmed it will launch locally in early 2026.
Slotting between the Kona Electric and Ioniq 5 in size and price, the Elexio is built on an 800-volt architecture, uses BYD-supplied LFP battery packs, and is aimed squarely at value-focused family buyers rather than the hardcore performance crowd.
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China-Built EV Heads for Export
The Elexio is being assembled by Beijing Hyundai, the joint venture between Hyundai and BAIC, as the company’s first “designed in China, built in China, exported globally” EV. At about 4,615 mm long with a 2,750 mm wheelbase, it is very much a midsize SUV, larger than a Kona but smaller and more conventional-looking than an Ioniq 5. Underneath, it uses an 800-volt platform related to Hyundai’s existing E-GMP hardware, paired with 64.2-kWh and 88.1-kWh LFP batteries that promise more than 500 km of real-world driving on the bigger pack in markets using WLTP ratings.
Single-motor front-drive versions should offer roughly 160 kW (around 215 horsepower), while dual-motor all-wheel-drive variants bump that to roughly 233 kW (about 312 horsepower). Fast charging from a low state of charge to a healthy buffer is claimed to take under half an hour on a high-power DC charger, and the car supports vehicle-to-load functions for powering tools or camping gear. The overall package is positioned as a family-ready crossover that undercuts premium rivals on price while still delivering the fast charging and usable range buyers now expect.
Big Screen, Big Tech Focus
Inside, the Elexio leans hard into the tech angle. The dash is dominated by a slim, 27-inch widescreen display that combines driver information and infotainment, backed by a high-end processor and a full suite of connected services.
Expect the usual Hyundai features like over-the-air updates, multiple drive modes and configurable regenerative braking, along with advanced driver-assistance systems that handle lane centering, adaptive cruise and automated parking in certain scenarios. Hyundai is treating the cabin as a showcase for its newest software and UX ideas in the same way its N division has become a test bed for enthusiast hardware.
Where it Fits in Hyundai’s Lineup
In Australia, Hyundai says the Elexio will sit between the Kona Electric and Ioniq 5, giving it a natural role as a mainstream family EV in a lineup that already stretches from small sedans to three-row SUVs. Buyers who need more seats or tow capacity will still be looking at gas-powered models such as the Palisade, while budget-conscious shoppers can stick with efficient compact sedans like the Elantra.
Hyundai has not confirmed whether the Elexio will come to North America or Europe, but shipping a China-built, LFP-powered EV to Australia suggests it is at least testing the waters for a wider rollout. Even if it remains limited to a handful of right-hand-drive markets, the Elexio gives a clear picture of how Hyundai plans to fill the gap between its smallest crossovers and its more expensive dedicated EVs, using Chinese production and batteries to keep costs down while still pushing tech and charging speeds forward.
