Hyundai Previews Future Small EV: Ioniq 3 Concept Debuts with Recycled Interior and Bold “Bug-Eyed” Design
Hyundai arrived at this year’s IAA Mobility show in Munich with a clear message: small electric cars don’t have to be boring. The brand unveiled the Ioniq 3 Concept, a lively, forward-looking city hatchback that offers a glimpse of what the production-ready Ioniq 3, expected in 2026, could look like.
After a four-year absence from the Munich stage, Hyundai returned with a design study it calls the “Aero Hatch.” Far removed from the conservative styling often associated with compact EVs, the Concept Three features a dramatically sloping roofline, frameless B-pillars, sharply angled rear windows, and a high-mounted spoiler framed by translucent yellow accents that also extend to the alloy wheels. Up front, pixel-style headlights are neatly integrated above a closed-off grille, giving the car a playful, slightly bug-eyed expression.
Inside, Hyundai has taken a different path from the industry’s oversized-screen trend. The minimalist cockpit features two modest digital displays flanking the steering wheel, while the rest of the cabin is dedicated to sustainability. Seats and trim panels are fashioned from recycled waste materials, creating a vibrant and unconventional color palette that emphasizes eco-conscious design as much as aesthetics.
Dimensionally, the Concept Three measures 4,287 mm long, 1,940 mm wide, and 1,428 mm tall, with a 2,722 mm wheelbase. That positions the upcoming production model neatly between Hyundai’s tiny Inster EV and the larger Kona Electric — essentially defining a new B-segment electric hatch for Europe.
Technical details remain under wraps, but industry chatter suggests a 400-volt architecture and a choice of two battery packs: a 58.3 kWh unit with around 420 km of range, and a larger 81.4 kWh pack capable of nearly 585 km. Performance should also be lively, with 0–100 km/h taking less than eight seconds — more than enough for a compact runabout.
Production of the Ioniq 3 is slated to begin in early 2026 at Hyundai’s plant in Turkey, underlining the company’s commitment to building EVs close to its key markets. Positioned as a more affordable, greener, and more playful alternative within the Ioniq family, the upcoming Ioniq 3 is set to become Hyundai’s calling card in Europe’s highly competitive small EV segment.
