TL; DR
- The company has heavily camouflaged these units, but we can still see key design cues.
- Visible through the disguise are pixel-pattern LED lights at the rear and possibly up front too, akin to the company’s Ioniq-series EVs.
- As Hyundai hasn’t confirmed whether the test mules belong to an EV or ICE nameplate, the internet remains divided.
The Korean automaker Hyundai has started testing a heavily camouflaged compact SUV in India, sparking fresh excitement about a new sub-4m or compact SUV launch. The test mules were spotted in Mumbai. Two prototypes were seen together, suggesting that the company is testing multiple trims of the same model.
The company has heavily camouflaged these units, but we can still see key design cues. For instance, there’s an upright, boxy stance with flared wheel arches, and what appears to be diamond-cut alloy wheels. These elements give the vehicle a rugged yet modern look.
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Spy Shots Reveal Boxy Stance and Distinctive Design Elements
Visible through the disguise are pixel-pattern LED lights at the rear and possibly up front too, akin to the company’s Ioniq-series EVs. Other noticeable elements include flush-fitting door handles, roof rails, a shark-fin antenna, and a muscular rear bumper with vertically stacked reflectors.
Also visible in the spy shots are large rear-view mirrors with camera modules, which could be for a 360-degree camera setup. Although details about the car’s interior are scarce, it could feature a large touchscreen infotainment screen (either 10″ or 12″), hinting at a tech-centric interior.
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EV or ICE? Powertrain Details Remain Unconfirmed
As Hyundai hasn’t confirmed whether the test mules belong to an EV or ICE nameplate, the internet remains divided. Some spy shots show what appears to be a tailpipe at the bottom of the rear bumper, suggesting the company is testing an ICE variant that could compete with the Tata Punch and the Maruti Suzuki Fronx.
However, other test units lacked a visible exhaust unit, leading to speculation that it could be an entry-level electric SUV competing with the Punch EV. Given its size and stance, the upcoming Hyundai car could sit between the Exter and the Venue.
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Expected Rivals in India’s Crowded Compact SUV Segment
If this mystery Hyundai SUV is a localized EV or ICE model, it could be the company’s answer to the Tata Punch / Punch EV, Maruti Suzuki Fronx, Renault Kiger, Toyota Taisor, Citroen C3 Aircross, and Nissan Magnite, putting it smack in the center of India’s hottest battleground for affordable SUVs.
With testing now underway, Hyundai is expected to unveil more details in the coming months, potentially ahead of a late-2026 or early-2027 launch.
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