Hyundai Motor is preparing to debut a new electric crossover SUV aimed at the entry-level segment in Europe, with a formal unveiling expected in the coming months and a market launch scheduled for mid-2026. The model is widely anticipated to be named the Ioniq 2, according to industry reports.
The new EV will be built in Europe and will slot below the Kona Electric, joining Hyundai’s expanding portfolio of battery electric vehicles. Xavier Martinet, President and CEO of Hyundai Europe, confirmed the vehicle’s imminent reveal, stating it will be “presented in the next few months.”
Sharing its underpinnings with the upcoming Kia EV2, the Ioniq 2 is expected to ride on the E-GMP platform, which supports Hyundai and Kia’s growing electric vehicle lineup. Battery options are likely to mirror those of the Kia EV3, with choices between a 58.3 kWh pack (WLTP range: 267 miles) and an 81.4 kWh pack (up to 372 miles), both paired with a 201 hp front-mounted motor.
The interior of the new model is said to represent a major leap forward in digital integration and user experience. According to Autocar, Hyundai’s next-generation infotainment and software platform, dubbed Pleos, will debut in the vehicle, featuring connected systems that span the infotainment interface (Pleos Connect), vehicle OS, and cloud services. “The new system enables ambient lighting and sound settings to shift depending on the drive mode,” Autocar reported.
Hyundai has confirmed that the first model equipped with the Pleos system will arrive in the second quarter of 2026, aligning with the expected release of the Ioniq 2. The vehicle is projected to start around €30,000 ($35,400), offering a competitive alternative to the Kia EV3 and strengthening Hyundai’s position in the sub-compact EV segment.
The Ioniq 2 is expected to debut publicly at IAA Mobility in Munich this September.
