Hyundai gets serious about taking on the Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7: Elexio electric SUV priced from $59,990 drive-away
Hyundai has confirmed Australian introductory pricing for its new Elexio electric SUV.
The China-built medium SUV is set to arrive in local showrooms in early 2026 priced from $59,990 drive-away in a single Elite specification. That pricing, which applies to both fleets and private buyers, expires at the end of March 2026.
As previously reported, the Elexio will sit above the Kona Electric and below the Ioniq 5 in Hyundai’s local EV line-up, joining other EVs including the Inster, Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 9.
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It will also become the first Chinese-built Hyundai sold in Australia, developed and manufactured under the brand’s “In China, For China, To Global” strategy
That manufacturing approach mirrors key rivals, with Kia sourcing the EV5 from China and Tesla building the Model Y for Australia in Shanghai.
At $59,990 drive-away, the Elexio lands close to the Kia EV5, which Hyundai Australia has previously identified as its core competitor.
The EV5 currently starts from $56,770 plus on-road costs for the Air Standard Range, while the Tesla Model Y RWD typically pushes beyond $65,000 drive-away, depending on state and incentives.
China’s BYD Sealion 7 also sits in a similar price band, generally between $62,000 and $64,000 drive-away.
Mid-size electric SUV comparison (Australia)
| Model | Drive-away price (approx) | Battery size | WLTP range | Power / Drive | DC fast charging |
| Hyundai Elexio Elite | $59,990 | 88.1kWh (LFP) | 546km | 160kW / FWD | Unstated (10–80% in 38min) |
| Kia EV5 Air SR | ~$59,000–$61,000 | 64.2kWh (LFP) | 400km | 160kW / FWD | Up to 140kW |
| BYD Sealion 7 | ~$62,000–$64,000 | 82.5kWh | 482–502km | Up to 230kW / RWD or AWD | Up to 150kW |
| Tesla Model Y RWD | ~$65,000+ | ~60kWh | 455km | 220kW / RWD | Up to 250kW |
*Figures are manufacturer claims; pricing and specifications may vary by state and final Australian specification.
While earlier expectations suggested a sub-$55,000 starting price may be required to aggressively challenge Chinese brands such as BYD and Geely, such positioning would have placed pressure on Hyundai’s South Korean–built Kona Electric, which currently starts from around $54,000 before on-road costs
Powering the Elexio is a single front-mounted electric motor producing 160kW and 310Nm, paired with an 88kWh lithium iron phosphate battery delivering a claimed 18.2kWh/100km consumption rate and 546km WLTP driving range.
The Elexio uses Hyundai’s E-GMP platform with a 400-volt electrical system and while the DC fast charging rate is unstated, it claims a 10–80 per cent charge in a claimed 38 minutes.
Standard equipment is extensive, with the Elite grade featuring 20-inch alloy wheels, a 27-inch ultra-wide integrated display running Hyundai’s new Android Automotive-based Connect-C system, heated and ventilated front seats, dual wireless phone chargers and a head-up display.
Over the Air (OTA) update capability, Bluelink Connected Car Services, and Digital Key 2 (NFC type) smartphone entry and start are also part of the package.
Hyundai has also confirmed the Elexio underwent a dedicated Australian ride and handling development program, with local suspension and steering tuning now forming the baseline calibration for all right-hand-drive markets — a point that could prove critical given mixed reception to the ride and refinement of some Chinese-built rivals.
Boot space measures 506 litres, expanding to 1540 litres with the rear seats folded.
Elexio measures up at 4615mm long, 1875mm wide, 1673mm high and has a 2750mm wheelbase.
It will be offered in a range of five mica exterior colours – the standard Crystal White, and the premium Medium Grey, Pebble Blue, Dragon Red and Phantom Black.
SPECIFICATION OVERVIEW
| ELEXIO Elite |
| Powertrain / Chassis |
| 88.1 kWh LFP battery, 546km claimd range |
| 160 kW front motor |
| Battery Heating System + Heat Pump |
| Active Air Flap (AAF) |
| Shift-by-Wire (SBW); column type |
| Paddle Shifters (regenerative braking) |
| Drive Mode Select (Eco / Comfort / Sport / Snow) |
| Temporary Mobility Kit (TMK) |
| Safety |
| 9 Airbags (front, front side thorax + pelvis, rear side thorax, curtain & front centre side) |
| Front seat belts with height adjusters & pre-tensioners |
| Rear outboard seatbelt pre-tensioners |
| Rear power child safety locks (auto) |
| Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA); Rear/Exit |
| Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2.0 (FCA 2.0); Car/Ped/Cyc/JT/JC/LO/LS/DO w/ESA |
| High Beam Assist (HBA) |
| Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2) |
| Hands On Detection (HOD); steering wheel w/haptic warning function |
| In Cabin Camera (ICC); Driver |
| Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) |
| Lane Following Assist 2 (LFA 2) |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) |
| Lane Keeping Assist (LKA); Line/Road-edge |
| Manual Speed Limit Assist (MSLA) |
| Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control-Curve (NSCC-C) |
| Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist; Forward/Side/Reverse (PCA-F/S/R) |
| Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) w/o sensor |
| Rear Cross-traffic Collision Avoidance-Assist (RCCA) |
| Remote Smart Park Assist 3 (RSPA 3) |
| Surround View Monitor (SVM) |
| Smart Cruise Control (SCC 2) w/Stop & Go |
| Safe Exit Assist (SEA) |
| Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) – High Line |
| Virtual Engine Sound System (VESS) |
| Exterior |
| 20″ x 8.0″ alloy wheels w/255/45 tyres |
| Roof rails |
| Body coloured side sills |
| LED Headlamps (4 Cube projection) w/Auto light control |
| LED DRL, positioning lamp |
| Dynamic Welcome Light (front) & dynamic turn signals (front + rear) |
| LED rear combination lamp |
| Rear spoiler w/LED High Mount Stop Lamp (HMSL) |
| LED rear fog lamp & LED reverse lamp |
| Heated & power folding outside mirrors w/ LED side repeater lamp |
| Acoustic film windshield |
| Tinted windshield, door & backlite glass |
| Auto flush door handles |
| Smart power tailgate |
| Interior |
| Leather appointed seat covering |
| Cloth roof trim + A -pillar trim |
| 4-spoke leather steering wheel |
| Satin chrome centre inserts |
| Console with suede-like material |
| Standard door scuff plates |
| Convenience |
| Smart Key w/push button start |
| Digital Key 2.0 (NFC type) |
| 14-way IMS (memory) driver seat; includes: 4-way lumbar support (2-cell aircell type)Tilt adjuster; baseBolster adjuster; backrest |
| 4-way power passenger seat |
| Front headrests w/tilt function |
| Heated & Ventilated front seats |
| Heated steering wheel |
| 60:40 spilt folding & reclining rear seat w/armrest & cupholders |
| LED interior lighting (with bulb cargo lamp) |
| Illuminated LED vanity mirrors |
| Electrochromic Mirror (ECM) inside rear view mirror |
| Auto up/down + safety windows; front & rear |
| Dual wireless charging pads |
| USB-C charger-front centre console (2 port) |
| USB-C data & charging port (1 port) |
| USB-C charger-console – 2nd row (2 port) |
| Inside V2L |
| Auto temperature control: Dual zone w/Auto window defog |
| Rear air vent & heating duct: 2nd row |
| Rain sensor |
| Multimedia/Display |
| Cluster 27″ Integrated Display |
| Head-Up Display (HUD) non-film Horizon type |
| Navigation (AVN) |
| Bluelink (Connected Car Services) |
| Over The Air (OTA) software updates |
| 6 speakers |
| Voice Control with 4-zone voice recognition |
Looks a bit over priced. 160 kW, front wheel drive, relatively narrow…