Mystery Hyundai EV SUV Caught Testing In Sydney

Hyundai may be preparing to expand its electric SUV lineup in Australia, following a recent sighting of a camouflaged mid-size SUV in Sydney’s inner west. The test vehicle was spotted in a shopping centre car park and featured a design that appears new to the Australian market.

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The white SUV had much of its bodywork concealed, but registration data from NSW points to a 2025-built vehicle weighing 2,144 kg—consistent with an electric drivetrain. The model listed in the system is “oe,” which aligns with the codename for Hyundai’s China-developed electric SUV now officially known as the Hyundai Elexio.

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The Elexio was recently unveiled by Beijing Hyundai and is set to launch in China soon. Its interior stands out from Hyundai’s existing models, most notably due to a wide 27-inch central touchscreen. Other features include paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative braking and flush door handles. The SUV’s front-end styling has drawn comparisons to the Range Rover, particularly the headlights.

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In terms of performance, regulatory filings in China indicate two drivetrain options: a 160kW front-wheel-drive setup and a more powerful all-wheel-drive version offering a combined 233kW thanks to a secondary 73kW rear motor. Power will be supplied by a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery from BYD-owned FinDreams, which is also the battery supplier for the Kia EV5 sold in Australia.

Currently, Hyundai has only confirmed the Elexio for the Chinese market, and full specifications, including pricing, are expected to be revealed there soon. However, its appearance on Australian roads suggests Hyundai could be preparing a version for international markets as well.

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If the model does go on sale locally, it may either replace the current Kona Electric or sit slightly above it in Hyundai’s growing EV range. For now, Hyundai’s next major launch in Australia will be the Ioniq 9, a large three-row electric SUV expected to arrive in the coming months.