No one could accuse Hyundai of dragging its heels on electric vehicles. While some of its legacy rivals have been a little slow to embrace EVs, the South Korean brand continues to grow its fleet of battery-powered cars at an impressive rate, and it’s already working on at least two more.

One of these all-new EVs will be the Hyundai Ioniq 7. For quite some time, the brand’s flagship electric SUV and compatriot to the Kia EV9 was referred to as the Ioniq 7, but it ended up launching as the Ioniq 9. Wearing the Ioniq 7 name will be a new SUV positioned between the Ioniq 5 and the Ioniq 9.

Read: Hyundai Strips The New Ioniq 3 Down To Its Cleaner, Cheaper Self

Like most other EVs from Hyundai, the Ioniq 7 should launch with an 800-volt electrical architecture and be sold in both single- and dual-electric motor configurations. Although prototypes have yet to be seen testing out in the wild, AutoExpress understands this model will be closer in size to the Ioniq 5 than the Ioniq 9.

An Elexio Alternative

If so, then it may end up being similar in size to the Chinese-built Elexio, which we drove earlier this year. If that’s the case, the Ioniq 7 may inevitably snatch some sales from the Elexio in markets where both are sold. Crucially, Hyundai’s ‘Ioniq’ branded models are positioned as slightly more premium offerings, helping to differentiate the two. In addition, the Elexio uses a 400-volt system and front-wheel drive, so the Ioniq 7 will have it beat on the powertrain front, too.

A Kia EV3-Sized SUV Is Also Coming

Hyundai isn’t just working on the long-awaited Ioniq 7. The company is also developing a smaller EV that may be badged the Ioniq 4. It’s expected to be similar in size to the new Ioniq 3 hatchback, but unlike that model, it will be a slightly more conventional SUV and similar to the Kia EV3.

In morphing the Ioniq 3 into an SUV, Hyundai’s designers are believed to have given it a boxier, more upright design, so it may hold slightly broader appeal than the somewhat odd Ioniq 3. In addition, it’ll offer more interior space than the Ioniq 3, so it should be better for young families.

Hyundai will probably use the same battery packs and electric motors as the Ioniq 3 in the new Ioniq 4, meaning 42 kWh and 61 kWh batteries will be available.

The UK’s Traffic Officers are looking for an all-new, all-electric tool for their fleet, as National Highways runs testing on the Hyundai Ioniq 9. Four examples of the full-size electric SUV have been commissioned for use by the agency and are currently deployed for evaluation on England’s motorways and major A-roads.

These seven-seaters from Hyundai have been decked out in the highway agency’s traditional high-visibility livery, with reflective decals and the all-important emergency lighting systems. In addition to the low-profile amber and red LED light bar, there are additional warning lights installed in the rear windscreen, side mirrors, front bumper, and tailgate, plus a programmable LED signboard for good measure.

Read: Fake Cop Pulls Over Tesla, Then Calls Real Cops On Himself

Add the lighting, CCTV, a 100W bullhorn, and the additional juice needed for the full suite of on-board equipment for patrolling the UK’s roads, and you’re looking at some significant power draw. Normally, that would be especially concerning for an EV. However, the folks at Richell Vehicle Conversions, who handled the conversion, thought of that and have fitted the on-test Ioniq 9s with their own dedicated 240 Ah auxiliary battery system.

Even though the auxiliary battery system is kept separate from the 110 kWh battery that powers the rest of the car, it’s still not clear what the extra draw and added weight (plus the aerodynamic penalty of the lightbar) will do to the Ioniq 9’s 385-mile (620 km) electric range. Still, at least the Ioniq 9 comes with rapid charging thanks to its 800-volt architecture.

Although they may look like police cars at a passing glance, National Highways Traffic Officers and their vehicles aren’t actually affiliated with the UK police force. However, despite the role of a traffic officer being one of a civilian, officers are allowed to stop and direct traffic, pull drivers over for safety reasons, and close lanes of a motorway. What they can’t do is arrest or charge drivers or search vehicles.

Either way, if the tests are successful, UK roadgoers may be seeing a lot more of these EVs, provided they’re up to the task. The trail is being used as the UK’s National Highways is considering further purchases during 2026.

Images: Hyundai

More than six months after tens of thousands of Hyundai Palisade models were recalled due to dangerous power-folding seats, the electric Ioniq 9 is being recalled for a similar issue. Hyundai says it’s aware of five consumer complaints about the defect and has been notified of two alleged injuries.

As was the case with the Palisade, Hyundai says the second-row power-seat assemblies of the 2026 Ioniq 9 may not respond if they come into contact with an occupant or object while folding away. This issue attracted global attention in March when it was revealed that a two-year-old girl was crushed by the folding seats of a 2026 Palisade.

Read: Child Death Leads To 2026 Hyundai Palisade Recall, But Still No Fix

This latest recall affected 5,360 Hyundai Ioniq 9 models manufactured between March 17, 2025, and May 4, 2026, with the Korean car manufacturer reporting that 100 percent of recalled vehicles have the fault.

While the issue is similar to the one which impacted the Palisade, it’s not identical. Hyundai notes the Ioniq 9 uses different seat architectures, software, motors, and supplier components to the Palisade and that it evaluated the Ioniq 9’s seats separately.

What’s The Fix?

Hyundai says it began investigating the second-row folding seats of the Ioniq 9 in March and it determined the seats can fold at forces over the company’s established limits.

Owners of affected models will be alerted from November 9. Prior to this date, Hyundai is urging owners to use caution while operating the power-folding seat functions. To resolve the potentially deadly fault, dealership technicians will inspect the seat controller software version and update the logic for the power seat functions. Owners who have opted in to receive over-the-air software updates will receive a fix this way.

It’s not just the Hyundai Palisade and Ioniq 9 that have been hit with a power folding seat issue. Earlier this year, Kia recalled hundreds of 2027 Telluride models, noting they also lacked sufficient anti-pinch protection for second-row occupants. In July, GM revealed the electric Vistiq could also have a similar fault, this time impacting its third-row seatbacks.