The Affordable Hyundai Ioniq 2 Is Coming In September

• A smaller, more affordable Hyundai Ioniq 2 compact electric vehicle will debut in September at the International Motor Show in Munich, Germany. 
• The Ioniq 2 could be closely related to the recently unveiled Kia EV2 Concept.
• As the Hyundai Motor Group stares down the end of EV tax credits and tariffs in the United States, it’s hanging more of its hopes on the European market. 

The Hyundai Motor Group has done better in the electric-vehicle arena than most so-called “traditional” automakers. Its EVs often boast best-in-class range, charging speeds and, if I may, even style. And even amid global headwinds in the electric space, it’s continuing its big push with more models.

Up next is the Hyundai Ioniq 2, aimed specifically at the European market. And according to the Korea Times, we’ll see it unveiled—likely in concept form—at next month’s International Motor Show in Munich, Germany. It’s expected to be a compact or subcompact crossover, and probably closely related to the upcoming Kia EV2, which is going into production early next year. 

What it looks like remains to be seen. Our sister site, InsideEVs Germany, recently featured some spy shots that show a swoopy, coupe-like crossover that vaguely reminds me of the old Hyundai Veloster—at least, covered in all of that wrapping, anyway. It is expected to have a headlight design that’s similar to the recently updated Ioniq 6 sedan. As embedded above, the Korean YouTube channel HealerTV caught some spy video of the Ioniq 2 cruising around in its home country. 

If the EV2’s projetcions are any indication, the Ioniq 2 will start around 30,000 Euros (roughly $34,000) and use both lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) and traditional nickel-cobalt-manganese ones. It will be based on the Hyundai Motor Group E-GMP platform like most of its other EVs, although likely a 400-volt version instead of the more expensive 800-volt one seen on the Ioniq 5 and the rest. That should put its 10% to 80% charge time around 30 minutes, or less if it uses smaller batteries.

Hyundai’s two Ioniq EVs have been extremely successful in America. But the chances of a subcompact one coming here—enticing as that may be—are very slim. And that was true even before the Korean automaker was hit by 15% tariffs from the Trump administration, as well as the loss of EV tax credits in the U.S.

As that Korea Times article notes, this trade situation may lead the Hyundai group to focus more on EV-friendly Europe in the interim, although it has reaffirmed it is committed to electrification long-term and has not announced any EV model cancellations. 

Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com