Hyundai’s electric SUV appears to be undergoing a considerable overhaul after a mysterious model was caught with several major upgrades. The prototype looks more like a Tesla than the current IONIQ 5 on the inside.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is due for an upgrade
After it first launched in 2021, the IONIQ 5 quickly became one of the most popular electric vehicles thanks to its long-range capabilities, fast charging, and tech-oriented interior.
For the 2025 model year, Hyundai introduced several major updates, including a larger (84 kWh) battery that increased range (now EPA-estimated at 318 miles), a refined interior and exterior design, and a built-in NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers in North America.
Although it’s less than two years old, it looks like Hyundai is already working on another new IONIQ 5. A mysterious prototype was caught by TheKoreanCarBlog, revealing what’s expected to be the next-gen IONIQ 5.
The prototype looks about the same as the current IONIQ 5 on the outside, but the interior is completely overhauled.
The biggest change is to the infotainment and dashboard setup. Hyundai appears to be taking a page from Tesla, with a larger, single infotainment screen at the center, a stark contrast from the current dual 12.3″ driver display and infotainment setup.
While many brands are reintroducing physical controls for climate and other functions, Hyundai appears to be moving in the opposite direction. Hyundai removed the physical climate controls, which will now be integrated into the infotainment screen, as Tesla does.
And that’s not the only change. The center console and steering wheel are both completely redesigned. Again, like Tesla, the steering wheel has two scroller buttons on each side to control various functions.
The prototype even had electronic push buttons that open the doors, something typically reserved for higher-end vehicles, like the Genesis G90.
Top comment by Fleecy
Hyundai/Kia/Genesis should be firing on ALL cylinders trying to fix the ICCU issue in a permanent way, and retrofitting the fix to ALL of their 800v cars. Unless they do that, they won't be getting me as a repeat customer. These changes (Pleos, giant screen, no buttons, electric door actuators) are all going in the wrong direction IMHO.
Hyundai has yet to announce a next-gen IONIQ 5, or another refresh, so it’s still speculation at this point. The prototype could also be a more premium trim option or a test mule for another vehicle.
At the same time, Hyundai is introducing its new Pleos infotainment (pictured above) and OS. The system is very similar to Tesla’s, with a single center screen and a smartphone-like UI.
To compete with Tesla’s redesigned Model Y, upgrading the IONIQ 5 makes sense. If Hyundai plans to launch a next-gen IONIQ 5, it will likely be a 2027 or 2028 model year. With prototypes now out for testing, we should learn more soon.
Source: TheKoreanCarBlog
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