Beijing Hyundai, Hyundai’s joint venture in China, is taking its first step into the electric vehicle space with what could be the Hyundai Ioniq 4. Until now, the company has been offering a lineup of two sedans, three SUVs, and one MPV in China. Now, for the very first time, Beijing Hyundai is preparing to launch an all-electric SUV, marking its entry into the world’s largest EV market.
Could This Be the Ioniq 4?
The teaser hints at what might be Hyundai’s own version of the Kia EV5. Hyundai and Kia have been aggressively expanding their EV portfolios, and this new SUV could be named the Ioniq 4. It would likely sit below the Ioniq 5 in Hyundai’s EV lineup, much like how the EV5 is positioned below the EV6 in Kia’s offerings.
Design and Styling Cues
From the teaser, the SUV flaunts design elements inspired by existing models. The front sports Ioniq 6-style headlights with a distinctive flat light bar beneath, while the rear tail lights resemble an inverted version of the EV6’s LED signature. Its overall silhouette is boxy with pronounced C-pillars, emphasizing its SUV identity. The teaser also showcased the car drifting through snow—still camouflaged but already exuding a bold presence.
Platform and Speculations
It’s highly probable that this SUV is built on Hyundai’s E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform), which is the same architecture used for Kia’s global EVs. Though yet unnamed, the SUV is speculated to be called the Ioniq 4. It is expected to embody a more SUV-like character than the Ioniq 5—mirroring the strategic design difference seen between Kia’s EV5 and EV6.
Ioniq 4 vs. Kia EV5 – Design Philosophy
While the Ioniq 4 and Kia EV5 may share the same underpinnings and a similar overall SUV aesthetic, they differ significantly in styling. The Ioniq 4 embraces a bold, muscular profile while still retaining Hyundai’s distinct EV design language, just as the Ioniq 5 and EV6 take different visual routes despite their similarities beneath the surface.
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Expected Dimensions and Launch Strategy
Although the final specs haven’t been released, the new electric SUV is expected to measure close to the Kia EV5’s dimensions: 4,615 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width, and 1,715 mm in height, with a 2,750 mm wheelbase. Initially, the launch may be limited to China, with possible global rollouts in the future depending on market reception.
Anticipated Powertrain Options
While official details are scarce, it’s likely that the Hyundai EV will mirror the Kia EV5’s powertrain configurations. These could include a Standard Range 64 kWh battery with a 215 bhp motor, a Long Range 88 kWh battery with the same motor, and a top-spec AWD dual motor setup offering 310 bhp with the 88 kWh battery pack.
Conclusion
Hyundai’s teaser of a new electric SUV signals a strategic move into China’s booming EV market, potentially under the name Ioniq 4. Though it may share its platform and powertrain with Kia’s EV5, Hyundai is clearly positioning this SUV with its own distinct identity and design language. If launched as Ioniq 4, it could become a compelling addition to Hyundai’s EV lineup, offering a more rugged and practical alternative to the Ioniq 5 and helping Hyundai further cement its place in the global EV race.
