Hyundai Ioniq 3 Launches Next Year, Shares Technology With Kia EV3?

Hyundai Concept Three. (Photo: Hyundai)

Hyundai has officially prepared a big step to expand its electric vehicle by presenting Ioniq 3, the latest compact model positioned as the younger brother of Ioniq 5. Despite being in a smaller class, Ioniq 3 is not just a shrinking version of its predecessor.

Hyundai shows its new design direction through Concept Three which debuted at the Munich Automotive Exhibition last September. Ioniq 3 brings a new design philosophy called Art of Steel, which is inspired by Hyundai's advanced steel manufacturing technology.

The result is the Aero Hatch silhouette, a new approach for a compact EV that combines a slim shape in the style of a hot hatch with a modern touch. The back look is confirmed by a unique mocktail spoiler, giving a strong sporty character.

Despite appearing radical, Hyundai still maintains the DNA of the Ioniq family through the use of the Parametric Pixel lights on the front and back. A series of prototype sightings in South Korea and Europe, many of which with minimal camouflage show that the production version will remain very similar to the Concept Three.

Hyundai calls the presence of Ioniq 3 a next step in the company's electrification journey. As reported by Arena EV, Friday, December 12.

Production is scheduled to start in early 2026 at Hyundai facilities in Turkey, with deliveries to consumers made shortly after active production lines. In the global segment, Ioniq 3 will face off against strong competitors such as Kia EV3 and Volkswagen ID.3.

This car has a compact dimension of about 4.28 meters long, 1.94 meters wide, and slightly above 1.40 meters high. The wheelbase reaches 2.72 meters, which promises a legacy cabin space and agile driving character for urban use.

Although Hyundai has not disclosed the battery specifications and official prices, this model is estimated to share technology with Kia EV3. This means that consumers may be able to choose between 58.3 kWh of batteries or 81.4 kWh.

The largest package is predicted to be able to bring Ioniq 3 to a distance of about 587 km (WLTP data), an impressive number for compact electric cars. For prices, Hyundai seems to be targeting novice EV buyers.

With Kona Electric priced at around 41 thousand euros, Ioniq 3 is likely to come as a much more affordable option, expected to approach 29,300 euros. Hyundai will also prioritize other markets that have high demand for compact EVs.