Hyundai pushes to lead the EV race

Hyundai Motor Co. has made important steps over the past year to reposition itself as a leading electric vehicle maker.

By 2030, Hyundai Motor Group expects half of its U.S. sales to be EVs. The Hyundai brand is enjoying early success with its two dedicated EVs — the Ioniq 5 crossover and the Ioniq 6 sedan. Its revamped second-generation Kona EV goes on sale this year offering shoppers a more affordable option in the compact crossover segment.

The group is making large EV investments in the U.S. with its $5.5 billion Metaplant, now under construction near Savannah, Ga. Six battery-powered models will be built at the complex, which will have the capacity to churn out 300,000 EVs to start.

For now, Hyundai's mix of electrified offerings in the Santa Fe and Tucson crossovers and the Sonata and Elantra sedans is helping boost its market share of green products. The Tucson has plug-in and conventional hybrid variants, and the sportier N Line trim level is moving to a hybrid powertrain for 2024. Though the plug-in will be dropped from the Santa Fe lineup, a hybrid model will still be offered. The Sonata and Elantra, which both have hybrid and gasoline options, are also due for a freshening this year.

Hyundai's No. 3 seller, the Santa Fe midsize crossover has been fully revamped for 2024. Sporting a boxier look and a larger footprint, it goes on sale next year. New dimensions, a more open interior and modern styling will help the Santa Fe make an impact with buyers looking for a balanced blend of utility, muscular styling and fuel efficiency.

The rest of the decade will see Hyundai's measured transition into EVs, but the automaker's strategy of offering multi-energy platforms at affordable price points will be advantageous for consumers not quite ready to make the all-electric leap.

Electric pickup: Corporate cousin Kia plans to introduce an electric pickup for the U.S., possibly in late 2026 or 2027. Hyundai has made no secret of wanting more pickups in its portfolio beyond the small Santa Cruz. A Hyundai counterpart to Kia's electric pickup could join the lineup in late 2026.

Ioniq 7: The electric three-row kid hauler is based on Hyundai's Seven concept, which debuted at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show, and follows the three-row EV9 from Kia, on sale this year. The Ioniq 7 is differentiated with a more fastback roofline. It rides on Hyundai's E-GMP architecture and shares the EV9's powertrain. Rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations are expected, along with single- and dual-motor setups. Standard-range models may use a 76.1-kilowatt-hour battery, while long-range models could carry a 99.8-kWh pack. The long-range Ioniq 7 equipped with rwd will likely deliver up to 300 miles of range. It could start production in Korea in the first half of 2024 and be added to the Metaplant roster in 2025. U.S. sales are expected to start mid-2025.

Ioniq 5: Hyundai's first dedicated electric offering went on sale at the end of 2021 for the 2022 model year. The Ioniq 5 shares its E-GMP architecture with Kia's EV6. But for a few tweaks to standard safety technology and convenience features, the Ioniq 5 carries over for 2024. A performance technology-loaded N variant expected to deliver more than 600 hp was revealed in July and could come out alongside a minor freshening for the whole line in late 2024. A redesign in the second half of 2027 is expected.

Ioniq 3: A fourth EV, the Ioniq 3 subcompact crossover that may arrive in late 2027, could represent the entry point in Hyundai's electric lineup. Its dimensions are likely to resemble those of the gasoline-powered Venue.

Ioniq 6: The second EV in Hyundai's lineup went on sale in the first half of this year as a 2023 model; the Ioniq 6 is unchanged for 2024. A minor freshening is expected in the first half of 2026, with an early 2029 redesign likely.

Ioniq 4: An electric compact sedan could arrive in the second half of 2026, an indication of how Hyundai will address the segment currently occupied by its Elantra. The Ioniq 4 will not necessarily serve as a replacement for the Elantra, however.

Nexo: The hydrogen fuel cell electric compact crossover that debuted for 2019 carries over unchanged for 2024. A global vehicle, the Nexo is sold in the U.S. only in California where there is a small hydrogen infrastructure. The Nexo Blue trim level offers 380 miles of range. Hyundai's investment is likely to continue as the automaker explores fuel cells. A new generation of the Nexo is expected in 2028.

Santa Cruz: The front-wheel-drive unibody compact pickup debuted as an all-new model for 2022 based on the Tucson compact crossover. For 2024, an XRT series replaces the SEL Premium, following in the footsteps of the Palisade, Tucson and Santa Fe, which all offer the adventure-oriented trim level. The Santa Cruz adds awd, leatherette seating, exclusive badging, wider fender flares, bed rails, side steps, darkened front and rear fascias and a dark chrome grille. It's likely Hyundai will release new packages or special editions to maintain interest in the Santa Cruz between big changes. A minor freshening is likely in early 2024 with a new generation coming in late 2027.

Palisade: The three-row Palisade, freshened for the 2023 model year, went on sale in late 2022 with sportier styling — new grille, headlights and wheel designs — and a reconfigured interior with higher-quality materials, technology enhancements and expanded safety features. An XRT trim level has been added to the lineup, as well as a tow mode for awd models. A new generation is expected in mid-2025 as a 2026 model. A hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain could be offered to keep the Palisade competitive in the three-row segment, while a turbocharged 4-cylinder option could replace its V-6 engine.

Santa Fe: The fifth-generation Santa Fe arrives early next year sporting a radically different design. Along with its boxier shape and a sharper roofline, the crossover features more muscular fenders, 21-inch wheels, a reinterpreted version of the H-badge on the front and rear fascias, a 2-inch-longer wheelbase, more space for third-row passengers and a wider cargo area with enough room for lounging. Hyundai will reveal U.S. packaging and specs at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, but noticeably absent is the plug-in hybrid, which accounts for 2.5 percent of Santa Fe sales. Gasoline and hybrid models remain. A top-end Calligraphy series and the rugged XRT trim level are expected to be offered. A freshening for the Santa Fe is expected in the second half of 2027, with a new generation likely in 2030.

Tucson: Hyundai's top-selling compact crossover was redesigned for 2022 with sportier looks, a larger footprint, the addition of hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, an N Line appearance package and XRT trim level offerings. For 2024, the Tucson N Line moves from gasoline power to Hyundai's awd inline 4-cylinder hybrid engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission for 226 hp. A freshening in 2024 is expected and a fifth-generation Tucson is due in late 2026.

Venue: The Venue, Hyundai's smallest crossover, will replace the Accent as the brand's entry offering when sales of the subcompact sedan end next year. It debuted in 2020 as an all-new model and carries over for 2024. A freshening is expected in late 2024 for the 2025 model year but the future is uncertain for the Venue beyond 2026 because its place in the lineup could go to the Ioniq 3 electric subcompact crossover.

Kona: Hyundai's other pint-sized crossover is expected to go on sale by the end of 2023. The styling is more EV-leaning, with a lightbar that stretches across the model's front end. The 2024 Kona is 5.9 inches longer and nearly 1 inch wider and its wheelbase increases by 2.4 inches. The Kona EV is equipped with a standard 48.6-kWh battery offering a 197-mile range and 133 hp. When equipped with a 64.8-kWh battery, range increases to 260 miles and horsepower goes up to 201. The larger battery can recoup 80 percent of its power in 43 minutes using 400-volt fast charging. Gasoline variants have a more rugged bumper featuring a skid plate design and chunkier black wheel arch cladding. The Kona N Line sits lower to the ground and is more aggressively styled in the front and rear, with a wing-shaped bumper. The standard gasoline-powered Kona offers a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 147 hp, while N Line and Limited trim levels are equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder making 190 hp. A minor freshening is expected in early 2026.

Sonata: Offering both gasoline and hybrid variants, the eighth generation of the midsize sedan launched for 2020 with significant styling changes. An N Line trim level was added for 2021. The Sonata will see a freshening this year as a 2024 model, but the current generation could be the last.

Elantra: The seventh-generation compact sedan was redesigned for 2021 with a longer wheelbase, a wider stance and a lower roofline, as well as a hybrid powertrain and a 201-hp N Line model. A track-ready 286-hp N model joined the lineup for 2022. The Elantra will be freshened this year for 2024, with its next full redesign possibly coming in 2027.