Chinese electric SUV from Hyundai for Australia?

The Elexio may soon bolster the Hyundai Australia line-up, giving buyers the option of a medium-sized five-seat electric SUV that’s more spacious than the Kona Electric.

If it gets the green light, Elexio will compete head to head with Tesla’s Model Y.

Evidently the news that Elexio is due to sell Down Under came from a dealer slip. It will be available to order soon after production begins in China. When it actually arrives in Australian showrooms is not yet clear.

As to whether it will become available this side of the Tasman, Hyundai New Zealand says: “We’re exploring the possibility of bringing the ELEXIO to New Zealand, but nothing’s set in stone yet. We’re just seeing what fits best for our customers here. The 2nd generation Kona Electric isn’t available locally yet but it’s an important part of our EV plans, and we’ll let people know if that changes.”

Apparently, Elexio will be offered across the ditch in Elite trim, and with a single front-mounted 160kW motor fed by an 88kWh battery pack. Range of up to 546km from a single charge is the claim, although which standard that figure is based upon is unclear. Chinese buyers have the option of a 233kW dual-motor AWD variant.

Car Expert, which broke the news, says Elexio will slot in above the Kona Electric and below the Ioniq 5. The former sells in Australia for around $A60k while the latter goes from circa $A70k.

Car News China indicates the Elexio is 4615mm long, 1875mm wide, 1673mm tall, and rides on a 2750mm wheelbase. Those figures, height aside, are identical to those of Kia EV5.

A huge 27.0-inch infotainment display is the cabin centrepiece while there are two smartphone wireless charging pads. In total there are 29 storage compartments dotted about the interior.

Elexio is produced by Beijing Hyundai. It is the first electric vehicle that Hyundai has built in China. That means it circumvents the significant tariffs levied on the various Ioniq models that are imported from South Korea.

Beijing Hyundai has renamed the model EO for the Chinese market, retaining the Elexio nameplate for overseas destinations.

A number of development models have turned up on Australian roads recently and despite much prodding Hyundai Australia has kept mum about the model.