Key Points
- Hyundai unveiled the Ioniq V at the 2026 Beijing Motor Show. It is a China-only electric sedan built on a dedicated EV platform with a 2.9-metre wheelbase.
- The Ioniq V features a 27-inch 4K touchscreen, over 600 km of range (CLTC), and tech from local partners including CATL, Momenta, and ByteDance's Doubao AI.
- Hyundai is considering expanding the Ioniq V to Australia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, depending on how the China launch goes.
Hyundai has unveiled the Ioniq V at the 2026 Beijing Motor Show. It is a new electric sedan built specifically for the Chinese market. Despite sharing a name with the Ioniq 5, it is a completely different car with a different design, platform, and technology.
Hyundai president Jose Munoz confirmed the car at the event and said the company is reviewing whether to bring it to Australia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America after its China debut.
Design and Size
The Ioniq V is a fastback-style sedan, not an SUV. It uses a new design language Hyundai calls "The Origin." The car has sharp angles, frameless doors, and a sloping roofline. It looks very close to the Venus concept Hyundai showed just weeks before the Beijing show.
At 4.9 metres long and 1.89 metres wide, it is roughly the same size as the Hyundai Sonata. Its dedicated electric platform gives it a longer wheelbase of 2.9 metres, compared to 2.84 metres on the Sonata.
Interior and Technology
Inside, the Ioniq V has almost no physical buttons. A 27-inch 4K touchscreen stretches across the dashboard, covering both the driver and front passenger sides. The driver does not have a separate instrument cluster. Instead, a head-up display shows driving information.
Hyundai worked with ByteDance's Doubao AI to add voice recognition, smart recommendations, and personalised services. The car also supports Baidu services, which are widely used in China.
Hyundai's China Strategy
The Ioniq V is the first dedicated Ioniq model for China. It was developed with local partners, including CATL for the battery and Momenta for autonomous driving technology. The joint venture behind the car is Beijing Hyundai, a partnership between Hyundai and BAIC.
Hyundai has sold 12 million vehicles in China over 24 years. But the company has struggled in recent years as Chinese brands have launched new EVs faster, with strong specs and lower prices. Munoz acknowledged past periods of "complacency and overconfidence" and said the company is now focused on rebuilding.
The Ioniq V is part of a plan to launch 20 new models in China over the next five years. Hyundai wants to reach 500,000 annual sales in China by 2031. An SUV based on the Earth concept is planned for the first half of 2027, with more models in the midsize and large segments to follow. Some will include range-extending combustion engines.
Could the Ioniq V Come to Australia?
Munoz said Hyundai is reviewing a phased rollout to the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia and Southeast Asia. The Middle East and Latin America are also being considered. This is part of a strategy Hyundai calls "Made in, for, and to the world from China."
No timeline has been confirmed. Any expansion depends on how the car performs in China first. The range figure of 600+ km is based on China's CLTC test cycle, which is more generous than the WLTP or EPA standards used in other markets. Real-world range in Australia would likely be lower.
This would not be the first time Hyundai has brought a China-developed model to Australia. The ELEXIO, which went on sale in Australia in early 2026, was also developed in China. It shows Hyundai is willing to use its Chinese operations to supply other markets when the product is right.
About the author
Danny Thai
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
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