Hyundai Unveils the Elexio, Its First All-Electric SUV in China
Hyundai Motor is making waves again in China. Through its joint venture with BAIC Motor—Beijing Hyundai—the company has just pulled the covers off its latest offering: the Elexio, a fully electric SUV designed to help Hyundai stage a comeback in the world’s most competitive EV market.
The debut happened during a brand strategy event in Shanghai held from April 21 to 22, with Beijing Hyundai sharing the first official images of the vehicle on the Chinese social media website Weibo shortly after.
The Elexio is also Hyundai China's first vehicle built entirely on a dedicated electric platform, a major milestone in its broader electrification strategy. It’s been in the works for over five years, and sales are expected to begin in the third quarter of this year.
Interestingly, 2025 will mark 23 years since Beijing Hyundai was founded, and the company says it’s planning big things. Among them: a complete lineup spanning battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and extended-range electric (EREV) vehicles. The portfolio will include sedans, SUVs, and MPVs.
In terms of design, the Elexio features crystal-inspired daytime running lights and an illuminated logo. Even the number '8' is worked into the lighting design—a lucky number in Chinese culture. There’s also a bold, two-tone bumper that gives it a premium and futuristic look.
From the side, the SUV has a strong, sculpted presence. Flared wheel arches, hidden door handles, and a floating roofline with a slanted D-pillar all add to its muscular character. It rides on 20-inch multi-spoke wheels. Around back, you get a minimalist vibe with a clean taillight design, no visible wiper, and the Hyundai logo embedded right into the rear glass—neat touch.
The Elexio will be powered by a Qualcomm 8295P chip. It’ll support everything from online navigation and streaming to smartphone syncing, over-the-air (OTA) updates, voice control, and remote vehicle functions. The Elexio will ride on Hyundai’s E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) and promises a driving range of over 700 kilometers. Charging is quick, too: going from 30% to 80% battery takes just 27 minutes with fast charging.
The Elexio will come with L2+ level driver assistance, including highway navigation features. In 2025, Hyundai plans to introduce memory parking, and by 2026, we could see urban driving assist features as well. All of this will be powered by Huawei’s HarmonyOS Intelligent Mobility platform.
