The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a brilliant EV, but its design has always been a little controversial. Now, the brand has launched a facelifted version of the Ioniq 6, and it certainly looks a lot sleeker while retaining the streamlined shape of the model we’re all familiar with.

This new Ioniq 6 has been unveiled at the Seoul Mobility Show, although no clear images of the revised rear-end have been published. Fortunately, we have been provided with a good look at the overhauled front fascia. Not only does it look more refined than the old model, but it’s also more aggressive, particularly in N Line guise.

Read: Hyundai Ioniq 6 N Could Be Even Better Than The 5 N

One of the more peculiar parts of the outgoing model was the headlights. Just like Hyundai did with the Sonata, the carmaker has ditched these weird lights in favor of split lights, consisting of thin LED daytime running lights and separate headlamps positioned lower in the bumper. It makes a world of difference to the EV’s design.

Those who want something a little more aggressive would be wise to opt for the new Ioniq 6 N Line. It opens up the front fascia, and much like the Elantra N, includes a gaping wide grille and air intakes. Hyundai is also promising a new rear bumper that incorporates more black parts, and has showcased the N Line with distinctive silver and black wheels.

The rear of the new Ioniq 6 retains the LED light bar of the outgoing model, but now includes a large ducktail lip spoiler. It’s also ditched the odd second spoiler that was positioned at the base of the rear window, and it looks much better because of it.

“IONIQ 6 has evolved from a single Electrified Streamliner into a lineup, each model expressing its own character while staying true to one refined vision,” the head of Hyundai Design Center, Simon Loasby said of the new model. “Under the evolved design concept of ‘Pure Flow, Refined’, we’ve enhanced every line and detail to make IONIQ 6 simpler and more progressive.”

Some minor tweaks have been made to the cabin of the new Ioniq 6, too. For example, there’s a different three-spoke steering wheel, the window switches have been repositioned, and there are new USB ports. No technical details about the new model have been announced.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 N

Perhaps the most exciting titbit from these images is our first proper teaser of the long-awaited Hyundai Ioniq 6 N. It’s inspired by the RN22e concept from a few years ago and has been showcased with a bespoke rear fascia, a large fixed rear wing, and new LED taillights. There’s no word on its power, but it should have the same basic dual-motor system as the Ioniq 5 N, producing the same 641 hp and also featuring synthetic exhaust sounds and a simulated eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. It will be unveiled in July.

We may have just stumbled upon what could very well be the highest-mileage Hyundai Ioniq 5 in existence. Despite being a 2023 model, this Korean EV has racked up an astonishing 666,255 km (413,991 miles) — nearly enough to make the round trip to the Moon. Yes, you read that right. The Moon.

This Ioniq 5 popped up on a Facebook page where owners regularly share their mileage milestones, and this one has certainly earned a spot at the top. This particular Ioniq 5 lives in Korea, and the owner has driven it more than most people will in their entire lifetime. This is a car that’s seen some serious road time.

Read: The Hyundai Ioniq 5 Is Stealing Tons Of Buyers From Other Brands

The post doesn’t clarify the exact model of the Ioniq 5, but the car’s original battery reportedly held up until it reached 580,000 km (360,395 miles). When it finally gave up the ghost, Hyundai replaced it at no charge. Now, we’re left scratching our heads a little on this one.

In most markets, like the US and Australia, the Ioniq 5’s battery warranty typically covers 8-10 years, but with a cap of 100,000 miles (160,000 km). So, why Hyundai decided to cover the cost of the replacement is anyone’s guess. Maybe they were feeling generous? Or maybe this is just an extraordinary exception to the rule.

Regardless of the reason behind the free battery pack, let’s not overlook just how much driving this Ioniq 5 has seen in a relatively short amount of time. According to the post, the owner has had the Hyundai for 3 years and 4-5 months, covering an impressive 666,255 km or 413,991 miles.

If the Hyundai’s been in their hands for exactly 3 years and 4 months (or 40 months), that averages out to 16,656 km (10,349 miles) per month, or roughly 555 km (345 miles) a day. If it’s been 3 years and 5 months, that’s a monthly average of 16,250 km (10,097 miles), or 541 km (336 miles) per day. Either way, that’s a lot of road time.

To really drive the point home: the average distance between the Earth and the Moon is around 384,400 km (238,855 miles). So, this Ioniq 5’s owner has driven the equivalent of a one-way trip to the Moon and back, and then some. And did we mention the owner is a salesman? Yeah, this guy clearly spends more time behind the wheel of his Ioniq 5 than most of us spend staring at our phones. That is, of course, when he’s not waiting for it to charge.

After committing a hefty $21 billion investment into its US operations, including the construction of a new $5.8 billion steel plant, Hyundai has officially kicked off production at its Metaplant in Georgia. The site, which began construction over two and a half years ago, will focus on producing a range of electric and hybrid vehicles, boosting Hyundai’s push into the EV market.

The Grand Opening of the site was attended by Hyundai leaders, as well as Governor Brian P. Kemp, US Representative Buddy Carter, and the president and chief executive of the Kia Corporation, Ho Sung Song. The Metaplant has already started building the electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 and, perhaps most importantly, is now also building the Hyundai Ioniq 9.

Read: New Hyundai Ioniq 9 Lands With Three-Rows And Massive 110.3 kWh Battery

Hyundai’s Ioniq 9 is its first three-row electric SUV and serves as its alternative to the Kia EV9. Presented last November, the Ioniq 9 is underpinned by the group’s E-GMP architecture and fitted as standard with a 110.3 kWh battery. The brand has yet to announce US pricing for the SUV, but we know it will be offered in several different guises.

The base model has a 214 hp and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) electric motor driving the rear wheels and a quoted range of 385 miles (620 km). Sitting above this version is the Long Range AWD, which adds a 94 hp motor up front. The flagship Ioniq 9 Performance has 214 hp motors at the front and rear, allowing it to hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.2 seconds.

Initially, the Hyundai Motor Group planned to build 200,000 electric and hybrid vehicles at the Metaplant. However, as part of its increased commitment to the US market, it’s expanded annual production capacity up to 500,000 units.

“Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America not only represents the Group’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and commitment to innovation, but also our investment in relationships with our partners and communities right here in Georgia,” Hyundai Motor Group executive chair Euisun Chung said. “With the rich history of craftsmanship and manufacturing in this community, together with the talented workforce at HMGMA we are building the future of mobility with America, in America.”

Hyundai is preparing to unveil a new fully electric SUV, specifically designed for the Chinese market. This upcoming model, which remains unnamed for now, is a result of the Beijing Hyundai joint venture, and it recently made its first appearance in an official teaser ahead of its expected launch later this year.

The teaser reveals a camouflaged prototype of the SUV undergoing cold-weather testing. Despite the cover-up, we can catch a glimpse of distinct styling elements that set this SUV apart from the global Hyundai Ioniq 9, which is notably absent in China.

More: Chinese-Owned EV Brands Gain Momentum In Europe, Collectively Outsell Tesla

Even under camouflage wraps, the SUV’s design features some clear visual cues. The headlights are connected by a slender LED strip along the front. The rear sports a muscular shoulder line that flows into a more upright tail, complete with an integrated spoiler. Not to be overlooked are the full-width LED taillights, which stretch toward the sides, enhancing the SUV’s profile.

Hyundai recently opened an R&D center in Shanghai, dedicated to developing electric models specifically for the Chinese market.

Beijing Hyundai

While we’re still waiting for detailed specifications, it’s likely the new SUV will be built on Hyundai’s E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform), which is shared across their Ioniq and Kia EV lines. This platform supports both single and dual motor setups and can handle battery packs as large as 110.3 kWh, suggesting this SUV could offer impressive range and performance.

More: Any Idea What Hyundai Is Teasing Here?

Currently, Beijing Hyundai’s offerings are limited to internal combustion engine (ICE) models, including popular vehicles like the Sonata and Elantra sedans, the Tucson L and Santa Fe SUVs, and the Mufasa SUV. The only electric model available in China right now is the performance-oriented Ioniq 5 N, imported directly from Hyundai’s global lineup.

We’ll get more details about this new fully electric SUV on March 28. Whether that will be the official debut or just another teaser remains unclear, but for now, the teaser video below will have to do.

Over the past few years, Hyundai has created several high-performance electric concepts, proving to the world that it’s committed to building cars that are fun to drive and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It looks to have done this yet again with its latest project, known as the Insteroid.

This special one-off, teased with several images and a video, takes the regular all-electric Inster and completely transforms it by taking inspiration from video games. As you may have guessed, the car’s name is a portmanteau of ‘Inster’ and ‘Steroid’ and will be unveiled in the flesh in early April.

Read: New Hyundai Inster Is A Tiny Electric Crossover For The Masses

The car appears to share very little in common with the regular Inster. All-new bodywork has been crafted for the concept, including massive flared wheel arches at the front and rear, not dissimilar to those from the i20 N WRC car. The cabin appears to be completely stripped out, and we can see a roll cage in there. Elsewhere, Hyundai’s designers have crafted a set of aerodisc wheels and a towering rear wing.

Several teasers of the car shared on social media show it’ll come complete with a raft of bright orange accents and a ghost logo that looks like it’s been pulled straight from Pac-Man. One teaser shows some of the car’s interior instruments, including Boost buttons, driving mode settings, and a track mode. There also look to be orange seat belts.

According to Hyundai, the Insteroid is a “thrilling ‘glitch’ in the automotive matrix, seamlessly merging the boundary-pushing aesthetics of video games with real-world engineering to create a vehicle that feels like it’s morphed straight out of a digital speedway.”

The road-going Inster, which itself is based on the Casper, is sold with a single electric motor delivering 95 hp in base form of 113 hp in the flagship version. Here’s hoping Hyundai fits a more potent powertrain to the Insteroid, perhaps the same dual-motor setup as the Ioniq 5 N which is used by the RN24 rolling lab model presented last year.

With hefty US tariffs looming large across most of the automotive industry, many carmakers have to work out the best way to minimize the impacts. Some, like Honda, are reportedly planning to move some production from Mexico into the US. Others, like Hyundai, appear to be ahead of the game and aren’t overly concerned with Trump’s next moves.

Read: Hyundai’s New CEO Says Musk-Trump Friendship Is A “Positive” For All Carmakers

During the first Trump administration, the Hyundai Motor Group decided to make huge EV investments in the United States, and this decision could now start to pay dividends. While speaking during the company’s recent annual general meeting in South Korea, chief executive Jose Munoz confirmed the brand’s “localization strategy” will “help mitigate the impact of any potential policy change.”

Hyundai’s Bet Pays Off

This was the first time Munoz spoke at a Hyundai shareholder meeting since taking the top job at the firm on January 1, Bloomberg reports. His sentiment mimicked statements he made just days after starting as CEO, where he said the relationship between President Trump and Elon Musk “should be positive for the industry.”

Late last year, Hyundai started building the all-electric Ioniq 5 at its massive ‘Metaplant’ west of Savannah, Georgia, roughly two years after breaking ground at the site. This plant will handle the production of five other EVs from the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands. Not only that but in May last year, Munoz revealed the plant would be adapted to also build hybrid vehicles.

A $12.6 Billion Gamble

Hyundai is investing roughly $12.6 billion into electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facilities across Georgia. While speaking about these investments earlier in the year, Munoz confirmed they were not made because of the Inflation Reduction Act under President Biden, nor because of any other incentives.

“It’s not a good policy to just simply make an investment because of the incentives, because they can come and go,” he said. “We believe the US market is the most important for us today and it’s going to continue to be the most important in terms of not only the absolute but also the growth and therefore, investing and localizing is a good strategy. I think we are in a better place today than we were four or five years ago.”

General Motors and Hyundai announced they were exploring a partnership focused on joint product development, manufacturing, and clean energy technologies last fall. The companies were coy on specifics, but reports emerged in January that Hyundai could supply GM with electric vans.

Fast forward to today and the pieces are starting to fall into place as Reuters is reporting that Hyundai could give GM two electric commercial vans. In return, GM could give Hyundai a pickup that would be based on the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.

More: Hyundai Could Supply GM With Electric Commercial Vehicles

This is interesting to note and it makes us wonder if the truck could serve as a replacement for the Santa Cruz. The company only sold 32,033 units in the United States last year and the model starts at $30,200 which is only $3,295 less than the Colorado.

Hyundai is also said to be keen on offering a version of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. However, GM “hasn’t put that option on the table” and this implies it could be a big ask.

One of the vans is said to be based on the Hyundai ST1 and it would reportedly be imported from South Korea. However, the automaker is reportedly considering North American production by 2028. This could occur at either an existing plant, a contract manufacturer, or at an all-new facility. The latter would ramp up slowly, but could have an annual production capacity of more than 100,000 units by 2032.

The report goes on to say GM is expected to eliminate the aging Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans soon, so the Hyundai-sourced EVs could serve as their replacements. However, the threat of tariffs looms large.

Aside from vehicles for the United States, the companies are reportedly discussing the possibility of Hyundai providing GM with compact crossovers for Brazil. Unsurprisingly, it’s expected to be based on the Creta, which is built in the country.

Hyundai is also said to be considering deals that extend far beyond vehicles and include joint purchasing and development of everything from batteries to computer chips.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is equipped with a dizzying array of different driving modes and features designed to make it the ultimate all-electric hooligan. However, an issue with one of these features has forced the company to recall more than 1,500 Ioniq 5 Ns across the United States.

A recall notice issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) pinpoints the car’s Left-Foot Braking mode as being at fault. As the name of this mode implies, it allows drivers to use the brake and throttle pedals simultaneously and is aimed at high-performance driving on the racetrack.

Read: Hyundai’s New Ioniq 5 N DK Edition Proves EVs Can Shred Tires And Egos Alike

However, it has been revealed that, at certain times, the Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) control software can trigger a depressurization of the ABS system, reducing braking performance. This obviously increases the risk of a crash, particularly on the track where drivers need the most out of the braking system.

In total, 1,508 examples of the Ioniq 5 N are involved in the recall. These cars were manufactured between December 18, 2023, and December 10, 2024.

Hyundai plans to notify both dealers and owners of the recall on April 7 and is encouraging all owners to stop using the Left-Foot Braking feature. Dealers have been told to update the IEB and VCU software to rectify the fault.

While this appears to be the first recall specifically impacting the Ioniq 5 N in the US, the regular model has been recalled in the past. In November last year, the Hyundai Motor Group recalled over 145,000 Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Genesis G80 Electrified, Genesis GV70 Electrified, and Genesis GV60 models, because the integrated charging control unit could get damaged, preventing the 12-volt battery from charging and causing it to slowly drain.