New details of the Elexio SUV from Hyundai for the Chinese market come to light

Beijing Hyundai, the alliance between South Korean manufacturer Hyundai and China’s BAIC, has everything ready to launch sales of the Elexio, an electric SUV that marks a new chapter for the brand in the competitive Chinese market. This vehicle, which will reach dealerships in this Asian country in the third quarter of this same year, promises to make a difference in the compact SUV segment, with a design and technology level tailored to the tastes of Chinese customers.

The new five-seat electric SUV from Hyundai measures 4.62 metres long, 1.88 wide and 1.67 high, with a wheelbase of 2.75 metres. Its kerb weight exceeds two tonnes, and it will be available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive. According to data that has just come to light following the registration of this model with Chinese regulatory bodies, the front-wheel-drive version is equipped with an EM16 electric motor producing 160 kW, while the all-wheel-drive version adds another 73 kW motor on the rear axle, reaching a combined output of 233 kW. Both versions achieve a top speed of 185 km/h.

An outstanding feature of this electric SUV is its battery pack, supplied by FinDream, a subsidiary of BYD and a leader in battery technology. Although the exact capacity has not been revealed, Hyundai claims that the Elexio will offer a range of up to 700 kilometres under the Chinese CLTC homologation cycle.

China only

The Elexio, presented at the Shanghai Auto Show in April and with its world premiere on 8 May, is a model of particular importance for Hyundai, which has struggled to establish itself in the Chinese electric market. Unlike previous attempts with electric versions of combustion models or models imported from South Korea, the Elexio was designed from the outset for the Chinese market and will be sold only there. Its styling includes details such as eight-element LED daytime running lights – four per headlight – a nod to the symbolism of luck in Chinese culture, where the number eight is highly prized.

The Elexio is, however, only a first step on the road ahead. Beijing Hyundai plans to introduce more electric models, plug-in hybrids and range-extender vehicles into the Chinese market over the next two years, with the aim of consolidating the brand in China. Although the official price of the Elexio has not yet been announced, some rumours suggest it will be around 140,000 yuan, about 17,000 euros at current exchange rates, which would position it as a genuinely competitive option within its segment.