Hyundai cuts EV and hybrid driveaway pricing as 2026 begins

Hyundai Australia has opened 2026 with a clear message to buyers weighing petrol, hybrid and electric options. Price should no longer be the barrier.

A new Q1 2026 national retail campaign delivers sharp driveaway reductions across the Kona range and introduces aggressive pricing for the new Inster, Hyundai’s smallest and most affordable electric vehicle to date. The move follows a solid 2025 for the brand, which finished fifth overall in Australia with 77,208 deliveries, up 7.7% year on year.

Rather than focusing on a single model, Hyundai’s latest push is about closing the cost gap between powertrains and nudging mainstream buyers toward electrification.

➡️MORE: Hyundai Inster Review

Narrowing the jump to electrification

At the heart of the strategy is a deliberate reduction in what Hyundai calls the “walk-up” cost between technologies.

For Australian buyers, the price steps now look far less intimidating:

• Moving from petrol to hybrid now costs about $3,500
• Stepping from hybrid to full electric has been reduced to $6,000

That recalibration is designed to make electrified options feel like a rational upgrade rather than a financial leap, particularly in high-volume segments such as small and medium SUVs.

➡️MORE: Australia's EV Sales 2025: Complete Year in Review

Inster sets a new EV entry point

Leading the campaign is the all-new Hyundai Inster, which arrives as the brand’s cheapest electric car yet. Priced from $35,990 driveaway for the Standard Range variant, it undercuts many petrol and hybrid rivals once on-road costs are factored in.

Based on NSW registration, the saving equates to more than $7,200, positioning the Inster as a serious entry-level EV for urban buyers and first-time electric adopters.

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Kona pricing reshaped across the board

The Kona range receives the heaviest discounting, particularly in electric form, where some variants see five-figure reductions compared with usual on-road pricing.

Electric versions dominate the value equation, though petrol and hybrid buyers are not left out. That said, Hyundai has flagged a $500 increase for the entry-level Kona 2.0-litre petrol during February and March 2026, a reminder that these offers are time-sensitive.

➡️MORE: 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric price and specs

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2026 Hyundai Q1 driveaway pricing overview

All pricing is national, with savings calculated using NSW registration costs.

Why this matters

Hyundai’s approach reflects a broader shift in the Australian market. EVs are no longer being sold solely on technology or environmental credentials, but increasingly on value and parity with familiar petrol alternatives.

By compressing price gaps and offering clear, driveaway figures, Hyundai is betting that hesitation around electrification can be overcome at the dealership, not just in the policy debate.