The Hyundai Ioniq 3 will join the Korean brand’s growing electric vehicle (EV) lineup next year, slotting in as a rival to the likes of the MG 4.
“Our existing EV lineup already covers 85 per cent of the market, and with the introduction of the Staria Commercial Van later this year and Ioniq 3 hatch early next year, we expect to reach 96 per cent overall EV market coverage,” said Hyundai Motor Company Australia sales director David Rodda in a statement.
The Ioniq 3 is set to be revealed on April 20, 2026, and has been developed primarily for the European market.
It was previewed by the Concept Three at last September’s Munich motor show, and will enter production in Türkiye this year ahead of an early 2027 launch Down Under.
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An aggressively styled small hatchback, the Concept Three measures 4287mm long, 1940mm wide and 1428mm tall on a 2722mm wheelbase, making it slightly shorter and lower than an i30 Hatch but wider and riding a longer wheelbase.
The concept is identical in length to the MG 4 albeit on a 17mm longer wheelbase, though Hyundai refers to the concept as “reflecting [its] ambitions in Europe’s B-segment”. This term typically refers to the light-car segment occupied by models like the Toyota Yaris and MG 3.
It’s expected to share a 400V version of the E-GMP platform with the Kia EV4.
The Concept Three wears the Korean brand’s new Art of Steel design language, which debuted on the 2024 Initium concept that previewed the second-generation Nexo hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) unveiled in 2025.
The electric hatch has an almost coupe-like appearance with its rakish roof line, and prominent, sharply creased haunches. It’s more like a Veloster than an i30 Hatch, then.
It’s still recognisably an Ioniq vehicle, however, with the sub-brand’s signature Parametric Pixel square lighting elements found front and rear.
Spy shots show the production vehicle has the same, Genesis GV60-esque proportions, though there have been some detail changes like the addition of conventional exterior mirrors and flush door handles.
The interior bears much less of a similarity to the concept, though there’s still a slightly squared-off steering wheel and a two-tier centre console, as well as a minimalist centre stack with a single row of buttons.
Unlike the concept, there are actual free-standing instrument cluster and infotainment screens.
The instrument cluster is slim and set far back, potentially negating the need for a head-up display, while the infotainment screen is large and horizontally oriented and features physical switches and knobs underneath for functions like the climate control.
There’s a bridge-type centre console, with the top tier featuring a covered bin with a padded armrest, as well as a pair of cupholders, while underneath is a storage shelf.
Hyundai says it plans to offer an “electrified version of every model in Europe by 2027”, and will release 21 global EVs by 2030.
The production hatchback will give Hyundai an electric passenger car to slot in under the Ioniq 6 in Australia, and join electric SUVs such as the Inster and Kona Electric.
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