The Hyundai Ioniq V Looks Great. Its Job Is To Take Back China

• The Hyundai Ioniq V is a fully electric sedan made in China, designed for a Chinese audience. 
• Hyundai says the Ioniq V reaffirms its commitment to China, with 20 models planned to launch within the next five years. 
• The Ioniq V is 193 inches long, the same size as a U.S.-market Sonata.

No, not Ioniq 5, Ioniq V. Hyundai says that’s it’s taking China seriously, and its first true offering to prove it is the new Ioniq V the company revealed on Friday. Perhaps the styling is a little reminiscent of a certain cancelled Honda EV project, but having seen it in person at the Beijing Auto Show, it’s a very handsome and stylish car. It’s Hyundai’s way of saying that it’s not down for the count, despite the collapse of foreign carmaker sales in the country. 

For a long time, China was one of Hyundai’s biggest markets. When the brand entered China in 2002, it partnered with Chinese company BAIC (Beijing Automotive Group) in a 50-50 joint venture. The brand did well, selling more than a million cars per year by the year 2016. In Beijing in particular, it’s not uncommon to see older Sonatas, Elantras, and Tucsons serving as traffic police. 

Yet, despite the popularity, Hyundai has been remarkably slow and inconsistent when it comes to electrifying its Chinese lineup. It’s had a few one-off converted ICE models, but the Ioniq and e-GMP models have largely been missing from China, aside from a handful of imported Ioniq 5 Ns. Thus, Hyundai’s position in China hasn’t been so good, with sales falling from 1.1 million units in 2016, to not even 170,000 units in 2025.

The Ioniq V is the start of a by China, for China approach to design and engineering. The designs are done by Hyundai’s China Design Center, and made explicitly for Chinese drivers. At 193 inches long, the Ioniq V is about the same length as the Hyundai Sonata midsize sedan.

Photo by: Kevin Williams/InsideEVs

In person, the Ioniq V is a striking vehicle, even in China, where there are a lot of well-styled EV sedans. The car’s nearly one-box design looks and feels decidedly retro, as if it’s referencing some of the wedge-like car designs from French or Italian design houses of the 1980s. The Beijing Auto Show’s organizers claim that it is the largest new car show in the world, and yet the Hyundai Ioniq V still manages to stand out. To be fair, Hyundai does call the Ioniq V’s China-market design language (called The Origin) “Best in First Impression” statement. That may be PR word salad, but I have to agree that it makes a strong impression in a crowded room.

Hyundai hasn’t said what exactly the power, battery size, or charging times are yet, though. Hyundai did say that the Ioniq V will use an 800-volt platform and will be rated for 373 miles of range on China’s optimistic CLTC cycle. It’s not clear if it’s actually using Hyundai’s E-GMP platform like other Hyundai, Kia, or Genesis vehicles, or if it’s using something developed with BAIC. Whatever the case, Hyundai says the car will be tuned for Chinese tastes, which typically prioritize comfort over handling. 

Photo by: Kevin Williams/InsideEVs

For once, it feels like Hyundai has its head on straight when it comes to China. The Ioniq V’s focus on design, comfort, and tech feels right on the money, and as if Hyundai has finally done its homework and now understands what Chinese buyers are looking for in an EV. Unlike the relatively basic American-market Hyundai EV products, the Ioniq V feels like its interior and tech stack are just as advanced as its exterior styling. This car’s 4k 27-inch screen, AI voice assistant, and Momenta-based ADAS features feel like they’re up to par for China’s tech-forward EV market. At least on paper, this car doesn’t seem like it’s lacking anything compared to the competition. 

Photo by: Hyundai

Hyundai plans to introduce a whopping 20 new models over the next five years in China, with the goal of getting its annual sales up to 500,000 units per year. Also, it and its partner BAIC have invested $1.1 billion in its operations since 2024. Hyundai said that the Ioniq V is its way of reaffirming its commitment to China, which is interesting to see in an era where non-Chinese brands are seeking to exit and stop financial losses. 

As attractive as the Ioniq V is, it’s not clear if it’ll ever leave China. Still, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Ioniq V on North American roads.

Contact the author: kevin.williams@insideevs.com