Hyundai New Compact EV Spied once again, and this time the upcoming electric SUV has been spotted charging at an EV charging station in India.
Fresh spy images show the heavily camouflaged test mule plugged into a charger, giving us a closer look at its exterior proportions, lighting elements and overall design.
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The upcoming model is expected to become Hyundai’s more affordable mass-market EV for India and will sit below the Creta Electric in the company’s lineup. Hyundai has confirmed that a new mass-market electric SUV will arrive during the current financial year.
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Hyundai New Compact EV Spied While Charging
The latest images show the test mule covered almost completely in camouflage, but some design details are still visible.
The SUV appears to have a tall and upright body, a relatively high roofline and a compact footprint. The rear gets horizontally positioned LED tail-lights, while the side profile reveals a boxy silhouette and chunky wheel design.
At the front, the heavily covered fascia still shows the presence of LED lighting elements, while the charging port can be seen near the front section of the vehicle.
The most important part of this latest sighting is that the prototype was connected to an EV charger, suggesting that Hyundai is actively testing its charging system as development progresses.
What Do The Spy Images Reveal?
The fresh Hyundai New Compact EV Spied images reveal:
- Tall and upright compact-SUV proportions
- Heavy camouflage over the front and rear
- Horizontal LED tail-light elements
- Distinctive front LED lighting
- Boxy side profile
- Large, geometric alloy wheels
- Front-mounted charging port
- Charging test underway at an EV charging station
The camouflage makes it difficult to confirm the final production design, so details such as the exact headlamp design, grille treatment and bumper styling should still be treated as unconfirmed.
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HE1i EV To Get Level 2 ADAS
The upcoming Hyundai compact EV, internally referred to as HE1i, is expected to be based on the E-GMP (K) architecture related to the global Inster EV.
Hyundai has confirmed that the India-bound EV will get Level 2 assisted driving technology along with a next-generation infotainment system. The model will be manufactured at Hyundai’s Sriperumbudur facility in Tamil Nadu.
Launch Expected By End Of 2026
The latest update makes the launch timeline particularly interesting. Hyundai had earlier indicated a March 2027 timeline, but Hyundai Motor India CEO Tarun Garg has said the new compact EV is expected to debut by the end of 2026.
The EV is expected to be offered in Standard Range and Long Range versions, although India-spec battery capacity and official range figures have not yet been revealed. The vehicle will initially use Svolt battery cells, with Hyundai planning to move towards locally sourced cells through its association with Exide later.
The upcoming Hyundai EV will take on models including the Tata Nexon EV, Mahindra XUV 3XO EV and Kia Syros EV.
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Hyundai New Compact EV: What We Know
| Detail | Expected/Confirmed |
|---|---|
| Codename | HE1i |
| Powertrain | Fully Electric |
| Platform | E-GMP (K) |
| Versions | Standard Range & Long Range |
| ADAS | Level 2 confirmed |
| Infotainment | Next-generation system |
| Initial Battery Cells | Svolt |
| Manufacturing | Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu |
| Launch | By end-2026 |
| Rivals | Nexon EV, XUV 3XO EV, Syros EV |
The latest Hyundai New Compact EV Spied sighting is significant because the prototype is now being tested while charging, indicating that Hyundai’s affordable EV programme is moving closer to production. More details on its battery, range, charging speed, price and final design are expected closer to the launch.
Auto India Daily Verdict
The Hyundai New Compact EV Spied at charging station isn’t just a routine test sighting. It’s a clear sign that Hyundai’s upcoming mass-market EV has reached an advanced stage of development. Fresh spy shots reveal important clues such as its charging setup, compact SUV proportions, and distinctive lighting elements.
Confirmed updates like Level 2 assisted driving, next-generation infotainment, and Standard Range and Long Range options could make this EV a serious contender in the segment. Its India debut is expected by the end of 2026, according to Hyundai’s latest plans.
If Hyundai delivers strong range and fast-charging capability along with aggressive pricing, this upcoming compact EV could pose a serious challenge to the Tata Nexon EV, Mahindra XUV 3XO EV and Kia Syros EV. Now the real game-changer will be its price, battery range and charging speed.
Image credit – EvoIndia
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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.