Hyundai Motor India is preparing to rapidly expand its SUV and electric vehicle range in the coming years. The company has announced plans to introduce several new products in the ICE, hybrid, and EV segments by 2030. Part of this roadmap will include a new compact electric SUV, currently codenamed the Hyundai HE1i EV.
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This will be Hyundai’s first electric SUV in India, designed specifically under the Made-in-India and Made-for-India approach.
It is expected to compete directly with models like the Tata Punch EV and Tata Nexon EV in the mass-market electric SUV segment.
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When will the Hyundai HE1i EV arrive?
Reports suggest the Hyundai HE1i EV could be showcased/debuted around the Diwali festive season of 2026, with a market launch expected in 2027.
The new electric SUV is expected to be under 4 meters in length. This could help Hyundai maintain competitive pricing in the compact SUV segment.
The company aims to make EVs accessible to a larger customer base in India and will utilize a localized supply chain.
How much range will the Hyundai HE1i EV offer?
Hyundai has not yet released official specifications regarding the HE1i’s battery and range. However, available information suggests that this electric SUV may share its platform and powertrain technology with the Hyundai Inster EV.
In international markets, the Inster EV is available with two battery options:
| Battery | Claimed Range |
|---|---|
| 42kWh | Approximately 300km |
| 49kWh | Approximately 355km |
The international-spec Inster can be charged from 10-80 percent in about 30 minutes using a DC fast charger. Charging support goes up to 120 kW.
However, it’s important to note that the final battery capacity, range, and charging specifications of the HE1i coming to India have not yet been officially confirmed.
Design May Resemble Inster
The design of the new Hyundai electric SUV could be largely inspired by the styling of the Inster EV. It is expected to have a boxy and upright SUV silhouette.
Possible exterior highlights could include:
- Sealed-off front grille
- Circular projector headlamps
- Pixel-inspired lighting elements
- Silver skid plate
- Prominent wheel arches
- Roof rails
- Black body cladding
- Squared-off tailgate
- Pixel-style LED tail lamps
Its compact yet upright design could make it practical for urban use, while SUV-style proportions would make it a more direct competitor to models like the Tata Punch EV.
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These Features Could Be Found in the Cabin
The Hyundai HE1i EV’s interior could also reflect the global Inster EV’s design philosophy. The cabin is expected to have a modern and technology-focused layout.
Potential features include:
- Dual 10.25-inch displays
- Ventilated front seats
- Wireless phone charger
- Wireless smartphone connectivity
- OTA software updates
- Automatic climate control
- Hyundai Bluelink connected-car technology
- ADAS features
However, details about which of these features will be standard or offered in higher variants of the India-spec model are expected to be revealed closer to launch.
Will compete with the Tata Punch EV and Nexon EV
The arrival of the Hyundai HE1i EV could further intensify competition in the compact electric SUV segment. Its positioning is expected to be primarily around the Tata Punch EV and Tata Nexon EV.
If Hyundai offers a good range and feature-loaded cabin, along with competitive pricing, the HE1i could become a key model for the company in the mass-market EV segment in India.
Auto India Daily’s Opinion
The Hyundai HE1i EV could be a key product in the company’s EV strategy for India. Key highlights will be its sub-4-meter size, India-focused development, and mass-market positioning.
However, several key details, such as battery capacity, power output, exact range, dimensions, and price, are not yet known. Therefore, it’s best to consider these figures as tentative specifications until Hyundai officially confirms them.
If Hyundai launches it at a competitive price, it could provide a strong new alternative to the Tata Punch EV and Nexon EV.
Disclaimer: This article provides tentative specifications and features for the Hyundai HE1i EV that have not yet been officially confirmed. Final battery, range, features, pricing and launch details should be confirmed only after Hyundai’s official announcement.
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Raj Prajapati is a Senior Automotive Content Writer at AutoIndiaDaily. A B.Tech graduate in Computer Science and Engineering, he leverages over four years of experience covering Indian car and bike launches, EV tech, and market dynamics to break down complex automotive regulations into simple consumer guides. Specialising in Indian motor vehicle laws, IRDAI updates, and ownership costs, Raj translates technical auto policies into actionable advice for everyday drivers.