Hyundai India is preparing to further strengthen its presence in the electric vehicle segment. The company has confirmed a New Compact EV SUV, which could be introduced in India by March 2027.
Most importantly, the upcoming Hyundai New Compact EV will be designed and manufactured in India, allowing Hyundai to compete more aggressively in the affordable electric SUV segment.
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Hyundai highlighted the upcoming compact EV in its latest product strategy. The company confirmed that this SUV will feature a next-generation infotainment system along with Level 2 assisted driving technology.
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Hyundai New Compact EV: What is known so far?
The upcoming electric SUV is internally referred to by the codename HE1i. It could be positioned below the Creta Electric in Hyundai’s India portfolio and become a more accessible EV option for the company.
Hyundai has confirmed that the upcoming SUV will be designed and localized in India. Manufacturing is expected to take place at its Sriperumbudur plant in Tamil Nadu.
The biggest advantage of local manufacturing could be controlling production costs. This could help Hyundai launch the upcoming EV in the market with competitive pricing.
SUV to be based on E-GMP (K) Platform
According to reports, upcoming Hyundai New Compact EV SUV will be developed on the E-GMP (K) platform. This is a version of Hyundai’s dedicated electric vehicle architecture, which also underpins the Hyundai Inster available in international markets.
The advantage of a dedicated EV platform is that the battery pack, electric motor, and cabin can be optimized around an EV-specific architecture.
Hyundai has not yet officially revealed the exact battery capacity, power output, and driving range of the India-spec model.
For reference, the international-spec Inster is available in 42kWh and 49kWh battery options, but these range figures should not be considered confirmed for the upcoming India-spec SUV.
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Focus on Local Battery Technology
Hyundai is also placing a major focus on localization with the upcoming compact EV.
According to reports, the SUV may use locally sourced Exide batteries. Local battery sourcing could help Hyundai reduce import dependency and control overall production costs.
This strategy also aligns with Hyundai’s broader localization plans in India.
Next-Gen Infotainment and Level 2 ADAS
Technology is expected to be a major highlight of the upcoming Hyundai EV.
The company has officially confirmed that the SUV will feature a next-generation infotainment system. The exact size of the infotainment screen or hardware details have not been revealed.
In addition, the SUV will also feature Level 2 assisted driving technology. With this feature, the upcoming Hyundai EV could join the ranks of technologically advanced SUVs in its segment.
However, the exact ADAS functions that the India-spec model will feature are yet to be confirmed.
Rivals of the Hyundai Compact EV
The upcoming Hyundai New Compact EV SUV will enter an already competitive segment.
Its primary competition is expected to be the Tata Nexon EV and Mahindra XUV 3XO EV. The Kia Syros EV could also be part of the broader competition.
The biggest factor in Hyundai’s favor could be its localized development and manufacturing. If the company launches the SUV with a competitive battery pack and aggressive pricing, it could create a strong impact in the segment.
Entry possible by March 2027
Company has confirmed that its upcoming Hyundai New Compact EV SUV will be introduced in India by March 2027. The company has not yet announced an exact launch date.
Industry reports have also discussed the possibility of a late-2026 launch, but until Hyundai confirms the exact date, this cannot be considered an officially confirmed launch date.
Auto India Daily Verdict
Upcoming Hyundai New Compact EV SUV could become a significant addition to the company’s India EV portfolio. Features like local development, India manufacturing, a dedicated EV platform, next-generation infotainment, and Level 2 ADAS could make it a strong technology-focused option in the segment.
But the real game will depend on pricing and real-world range. If Hyundai offers good battery capacity and practical driving range along with competitive pricing, it could give serious competition to the Tata Nexon EV and Mahindra XUV 3XO EV.
The final name, battery specifications and pricing of the SUV have not been revealed yet. But with an expected launch by March 2027, Hyundai has made its next big move clear in the compact electric SUV market.
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