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A first electric performance car, new-generation family SUVs, an affordable EV, facelifts for its two biggest-selling models ... and a HiLux-rivalling ute!
Hyundai, one of the world's biggest car makers, isn't about to get complacent as its product-planning department continues its relentless pace.
Next year will be a big one for Hyundai showrooms, with updates for the i30 small car and Tucson midsized SUV (two of its biggest-selling models), a new-generation Santa Fe large SUV, and its first ever all-wheel-drive/electric N car.
Along with new more affordable Ioniq EV models, we're also expecting to see the huge Ioniq 7 in production form, arriving as a twin to the Kia EV9.
And, if whispers prove true, 2024 may be the year Hyundai finally reveals official details of its first-ever Toyota Hilux rival.
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JUMP AHEAD
Confirmed models
- Hyundai i30 (facelift)
- Hyundai i30 Sedan (hybrid and N facelift)
- Hyundai Tucson (facelift and Hybrid)
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 (facelift)
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Future models
Confirmed models
i30
A shift in sourcing from Korea to Europe (Czech Republic, specifically) will coincide with a second update for Hyundai's big-selling small car.
Hyundai Australia has said a "slight powertrain change" can already be expected for the third-generation 'PD' i30 that has been around since 2017. This is expected to include mild-hybrid technology. Price rises are also inevitable, unfortunately.
There has been speculation that the Kona small SUV could effectively replace the i30 in the long term, though the boss of Hyundai in Europe this year said a fourth-generation model was still in the planning.
i30 Sedan Hybrid & N
The four-door version of Hyundai's small car was given a range refresh in late 2023, with a little extra wait for the N performance variant and a first petrol-electric model.
The i30 Sedan hybrid borrows a 1.6-litre petrol engine and electric motor combination from the new Kona compact SUV to offer official fuel economy of just 2.8 litres per 100km.
For the N model, there will be styling tweaks and new 19-inch wheels, and upgrades to the engine mounting and suspension. No changes, though, for the 206kW 2.0-litre turbo petrol.
Tucson
Hyundai's most popular vehicle so far in 2023 receives a first major update for the fourth-generation model released in 2020.
The headline act for the revised range arriving mid 2024 will be a first Hybrid variant, which adopts the petrol-electric FWD and AWD drivetrains from the larger Santa Fe (see next model).
Exterior design changes are subtle but the interior is a thorough revamp inspired by the cabins of the new-gen Kona and Santa Fe SUVs that sit, respectively, below and above it.
Santa Fe
The large, seven-seater SUV gets bold for its fifth-generation with a boxy, Defender-like design.
Due in the second quarter of 2024, the latest Santa Fe will initially be available as a hybrid AWD only – meaning a big leap in entry price. A more affordable drivetrain will eventually join it, and is expected to be a 2.4L turbo petrol.
An increase in dimensions including wheelbase brings an enlarged cabin that also steps up in presentation, as well as a larger boot when the third-row seats are lowered. Distinctive new features include a bacteria-bashing UV-C glovebox!
Ioniq 5
Hyundai's style- and tech-driven EV will be given a facelift in 2024, though revisions aren't expected to be extensive after a big technology update in 2023.
Revised front and rear bumpers are most likely but otherwise don't expect the Ioniq 5's statement-making exterior design to be disturbed.
One notable change, however, has already been introduced by the N performance model: a rear wiper! (The absence of a wiper on the rear window has been a bugbear for any owner not living in sunny climes.)
Ioniq 5 N
A variant that's well deserving of its own section here. For Hyundai's acclaimed performance division, the Ioniq 5 N is both its first all-wheel-driver and first electric car.
Aside from more vehicle customisation options than you can shake a stick at, the 5 N promises acceleration to rival a Porsche Taycan Turbo thanks to a dual motors delivering up to 478kW and 770Nm in boost mode.
Drivers can even choose an 'Ignition' soundtrack that mimics the noises of the turbo petrol engine in the i30 N hot-hatch, while a N E-Shift function imitates the same car's eight-speed dual-clutch auto.
We drove it in Korea and love it! Australia gets to taste the latest N car in early 2024.
Future models
Casper EV
This baby Hyundai already exists as a three-cylinder petrol city car, but an open secret is that an upcoming electric version is also being considered for Australia.
The pint-sized Casper – just 3.6 metres long compared with the 4.35m Kona small SUV – could potentially create the most affordable EV offered locally.
The current cheapest electric car available is the BYD Dolphin hatch that costs from $38,890.
Prototypes have been snapped testing and the production version is expected to be revealed sometime in 2024.
Ioniq 3
Affiliate company Kia has already unveiled a range of upcoming smaller EVs such as the EV3 and EV4, yet Hyundai has been strangely silent for its production plans below the midsized Ioniq 5.
Current industry intel is that the Ioniq 3 will be a subcompact crossover, which would help ensure it doesn't tread on the toes of the recently introduced second-generation electric Kona compact SUV (4.35 metres long).
A crossover body style – part SUV, part hatch – would make the Ioniq 3 a natural rival for the likes of the BYD Dolphin, Cupra Born and MG4. The Ioniq 3, however, may not be seen for a good couple of years.
Ioniq 4
As the badge suggests, the Ioniq 4 will sit between the Ioniq 3 and Ioniq 5 in the showroom pecking order.
Odd numbers SUVs, even numbers sedans... That seems to be Hyundai's approach anyhow, as the Ioniq 4 is expected to be a smaller sibling to the Ioniq 6 electric sedan.
Renowned US industry journal Automotive News has suggested the Ioniq 4 will make a production debut in 2026.
Hyundai's mastermind behind the N performance division has already confirmed there will be a smaller N model to sit beneath the $111K-plus Ioniq 5 N.
For enthusiasts on smaller budgets, the hope will be for both Ioniq 3 N and Ioniq 4 N models.
Ioniq 6 N
Hyundai hasn't officially confirmed it, but an N version of the Ioniq 6 is coming – and has already been previewed by the RN22e concept (see story above).
The regular versions of the Ioniq 5 and 6 are closely related, so the 6 N can be expected to share all its fundamental components with the 5 N.
It could gain extra power over its crossover sibling, while we're also expecting the 6 N to adopt the twin-clutch rear differential showcased in the RN22e - which can shuffle torque up to 100 per cent to an individual rear wheel.
Ioniq 7
Prototypes of Hyundai's electric large SUV have been spied on the road, following the reveal of the Seven concept in 2021.
The Ioniq 7 is a platform twin to the Kia EV9 and should be revealed in production form fairly early in 2024. When it reaches showrooms it will sit above the Ioniq 5 midsized SUV/crossover, with which it shares its 800-volt E-GMP platform.
The Seven concept literally featured a lounge in its rear cabin, but expect three rows of regular seating for the production seven-seater.
Electric ute
Hyundai already sells a ute called the Santa Cruz in the US, though it's left-hand-drive only and more of a car-based lifestyle vehicle than workhorse.
The company, however, is working on a commercial-focused dual-cab vehicle – a model Hyundai Australia would dearly love to help it take a slice of a huge segment currently dominated by the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.
Partner company Kia has already confirmed its 'one-tonner' ute is in development, though Wheels understands Hyundai will skip combustion engines and go directly to electric propulsion for its version.
Hyundai has again been very tight-lipped about this vehicle, so concrete details remain scarce.
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