Electric vehicle sales may be cooling off with the rollback of government incentives in the United States, but Hyundai isn’t lifting its foot off the pedal just yet. In fact, it’s charging ahead with its most compact EV after the Inster. Named the Ioniq 3, this practical five-door hatch slots below the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 in both size and price.

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Previewed by the recent Concept Three, the Ioniq 3 could become one of Hyundai’s most significant global EVs, combining affordability with everyday usability. Camouflaged prototypes have already been spotted testing out in the open, hinting that an official debut is just around the corner. Here’s a look at everything we know so far.

Striking the Middle Road

Unlike its larger siblings, the Ioniq 3 avoids polarizing the public with a look that’s easier on the eye. Prototypes confirm that it retains the Concept Three’s coupe-like proportions, although the front fascia is toned down with more conventional battery-cooling intakes and slim pixel DRLs split from the main headlamps underneath. 

From the profile, it trades the concept’s slim-frame windows for clamshell items (welcome back to the 90s). Elsewhere, it’s a clean, uncluttered profile with smooth surfacing and intersecting lines drawn from Hyundai’s ‘Art of Steel’ design language.

The rear features a high-mounted full-width tail light cluster with LED pixel elements and a split-glass hatch configuration similar to that of Toyota’s Prius. The concept’s translucent aero elements and wild lower diffuser won’t make the cut, yet it still sports a subtle spoiler.  

A Tech-Focused Interior

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In a significant departure from Hyundai’s existing lineup, the cabin offers an all-new experience with a separate digital instrument cluster and a large Tesla-style infotainment display.

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The screen runs Hyundai’s new Pleos Connect system, which is built on Android Automotive OS, bringing cloud-based user profiles (allowing owners to download features on demand) and conversational voice control for navigation and other vehicle functions.

Importantly, spy shots confirm the presence of physical buttons for HVAC controls below the infotainment screen. Elsewhere, the 5-seat cabin follows the same design theme as other Ioniq models, with minimalist door cards and ovoid trim elements. 

Other highlights include Apple CarPlay Ultra compatibility, ambient lighting and enhanced Level 2 driver assistance.

Platform, Powertrain, and Battery 

While key specs remain under wraps, we know the Ioniq 3 will ride on a pared-down version of the E-GMP platform. Unlike the 800-volt architecture used in the Ioniq 5 and 6, this model runs a 400-volt system, helping to keep costs in check.

It shares much of its underpinnings with the upcoming Kia EV4, meaning a single-motor, front-wheel-drive layout is expected at launch, delivering 201 hp (150 kW). A dual-motor setup may follow in a potential N performance trim.

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Two Lithium-ion NCM battery configurations are said to be on the cards, with the smaller packing coming in at 58 kWh, while the larger one muscles up 81.4 kWh. The latter should be good for a range estimate of 390-400 miles (628–644 km), and both offering V2G (vehicle-to-grid) and V2L (vehicle-to-load) capabilities. 

Rivals and Reveal

Key rivals include Kia’s EV3 and EV4 (essentially an Ioniq 3 in different clothing), Volkswagen ID.3, Cupra Borne, Peugeot e-308, Mini Aceman Electric, MG4, BYD Dolphin, and Skoda Enyaq.

See: Kia’s Smallest EV Could Become One Of Its Most Thrilling Performance Models

With thin camouflage and key interior tech already known, we expect a full debut within the next six months and a global rollout by 2027. North American availability? Sorry folks, as this will be built in Turkey, it won’t be offered in the States.

Should Hyundai bring the Ioniq 3 to the USA? We’d love to hear your views in the comments below.

The unveiling of Citroen’s ELO concept, with its stacked LED lights, minivan-like shape, and six-seat layout, immediately stirred speculation. Not just about the prospect of a Citroen-badged people carrier, but also about what it might mean for other brands within the Stellantis umbrella. It landed with a visual impact that invited questions beyond the concept itself.

More: We Imagined Stellantis’ Tiny EV As Jeep, Dodge, And Chrysler Oddballs

Could this be the design foundation for a new Fiat Multipla? At first glance, it may seem like a stretch, but the idea isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds. Fiat is rumored to be bringing back the Multipla name for a family-focused SUV.

Still, the ELO’s shape and proportions prompted a different line of thinking; what if the next Multipla leaned more closely into its original spirit?

The Return of One-Box Thinking

The single-box layout of the Citroen concept feels oddly well-suited to a spiritual successor to the original 1955 Fiat 600 Multipla. The notion doesn’t feel far off, especially since both marques fall under the Stellantis umbrella.

With minimal styling revisions, Fiat could spin off a distinctive variant while still sharing development costs with Citroen, if such a minivan duo were ever to hit the streets.

There’s a clear visual callback in the lighting setup. The concept features round LEDs paired with slim DRLs positioned at the base of the windshield, subtly hinting to the stacked, two-tier headlights that made the 1998 Multipla infamous. A slightly reworked front end, with smoother surfacing and Fiat’s latest badge, completes the update.

Most of the 4.10-meter (161.4-inch) bodywork is carried over from the Citroen ELO, with the exception of the rear. There, the UFO-like split taillights jutting from the corners could be swapped for pill-shaped units that recall the cheerful styling of the Fiat Topolino.

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As a finishing touch, we added a set of vintage alloy wheels from the Fiat 500 anniversary specials, along with a more expressive palette of exterior colors. Finally, discreet plastic cladding around the wheel arches with a matching finish for the bumpers and door inserts make the fictional model look ready to hit the road.

The wide-opening sliding doors and experimental cabin layout of the Citroen concept also make sense here. Six individual seats, a central driving position, and the option to remove chairs or add accessories like inflatable mattresses and modular storage could make this an ideal companion for family adventures.

Packaging like that requires a dedicated EV platform. That means no room for combustion engines. But a compact rear-mounted motor and a modest battery would be more than sufficient for city use and the occasional weekend escape.

The Story of the Multipla

The original Fiat 600 Multipla, designed by Dante Giacosa, was introduced in 1955. It was based on the underpinnings of the Fiat 600 featuring cab-over styling. Despite measuring just 3,531 mm (139 inches) long, it had a spacious interior that could accommodate up to six passengers and their luggage.

More: Remember The Fiat Multipla? Reimagining The ’90s Icon For The EV Age

Fiat revived the Multipla name in 1997 for a new compact MPV, and while it may be better remembered for its polarizing design, it delivered genuine functionality. Roberto Giolito’s design, with its two-level headlights and expansive glasshouse, stood out in every possible way.

Despite being shorter than a modern supermini at 3,994 mm (157.2 inches) long, the Multipla offered uncompromising practicality. Rather than stretching it lengthwise, Fiat’s designers cleverly pushed the dimensions outward, giving it a width of 1,871 mm (73.7 inches).

That allowed for two full rows of three seats, making it a genuine six-seater, with a minimum of 430 litres of boot space, plenty of room for luggage, shopping, or a four-legged passenger or two.

And because Fiat made it wide rather than long, the Multipla not only packed in the space but also handled better than most people movers, with a squat stance that gave it a more planted feel on the road.

The second-generation model received a more conventional facelift in 2004 and was discontinued in 2010. However, production continued under license in China by Zotye until 2013.

Is There Room for a Quirky Comeback?

Fiat hasn’t confirmed a new Multipla, but the name keeps resurfacing in product speculation. n. Most likely, it will be assigned to a crossover in the expanding Panda lineup.

That model is expected to use Stellantis’ Smart Car platform, shared with the Citroen C3 Aircross and Opel Frontera, and would likely compete with budget-friendly models like the Dacia Duster and Bigster.

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The forthcoming SUV will reportedly be offered with gasoline, mild-hybrid, and fully electric powertrain options, following the example of the Grande Panda subcompact hatchback and a mechanically-related fastback crossover that has been spied testing.

Still, for all the SUV planning, there remains a quiet corner of the internet hoping that Fiat remembers what made the original Multipla special: not just practicality, but a certain willingness to stand apart.

Stellantis Heritage Hub

Mazda has been busy polishing its lineup of straight-six-powered crossovers, pouring attention into its larger and more profitable models. Yet, as the Hiroshima brand shifts focus to electrification and SUVs, the rest of its range has been quietly gathering dust.

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Apart from the refreshed CX-5 and a few Chinese-sourced EVs, not much has been happening in Mazda’s compact corner. And the silence surrounding a successor to the 3 has been deafening, with no sign of it anywhere in the brand’s future product roadmap.

Reports suggests the compact offering won’t see light beyond 2026, which, if true, is an utter shame for a company that once prided itself on fun-driving sedans and hatchbacks. Has Zoom-Zoom transitioned into the land of doom?

Could China Keep the 3 Alive?

When Mazda axed the long-serving 6 sedan and wagon, many thought it would be replaced by a rear-drive, inline six proposition to compete with BMW M340i and Audi’s S4.

That dream never materialized. Instead, select markets such as Europe and Australia received the Deepal-based Mazda 6e/EZ-6, while North America was left out of the equation.

This begs the question: could the 3 see the same fate and become another Deepal-derived product? After all, it would make sense as Mazda is a small player compared to many of its rivals, leaning into Changan’s portfolio helps keep development costs in check. 

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Adding weight to the theory are recent trademark filings for the Mazda3e in Australia, the UK, and Europe, while the Chongqing-based automaker has also unveiled its smaller L06 sedan under the newly formed China Changan Automobile Group.

While purely speculative at this point, Deepal’s L06 could very well underpin the first-ever Mazda3e. Curious as to what form it could take? Let’s look at what we can expect.

An Electrified Twist

If Mazda takes the same route as the 6e, the 3e would borrow Deepal’s existing hardware. The L06 itself is set to launch in two forms: a range-extended hybrid (EREV) and a fully electric variant.

The EREV pairs a 97 hp 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine with a 28.39 kWh LFP battery and a 190 kW (255 hp) electric motor on the rear axle. It offers an EV-only range of 180 km (about 112 miles) on the WLTP cycle, while the internal combustion engine’s fuel consumption is rated at 4.38 litres per 100 km, or roughly 54 mpg.

The electric version of the Deepal L06 is equipped with a single rear axle motor that produces 268 hp (200 kW). This variant will offer two battery packs, a 56 kWh battery and a larger 69 kWh pack with a range of 416 miles (670 km).

Interior Smarts

Inside, expect a more premium aesthetic compared to its Deepal donor car, and (annoyingly) the all-screens trend as seen in the new CX-5 and EZ-60 SUVs.

A 3-nanometre automotive-grade cockpit chip will help power the 50-inch AR-HUD (Augmented Reality Head-Up Display, infotainment, and Level 2+ driver assist systems, with the latter benefiting from standard LiDAR fitment.

Read: Mazda’s Global $16,800 Chinese SUV Makes America’s Cheapest Cars Look Overpriced

It has more space, too. Measuring 190 inches (4830 mm) in length, the sedan is notably longer than the current Mazda3 and just a whisker shorter (and wider) than the discontinued 6. This increase repositions it into a larger segment, which will help remedy one of the 3’s most significant shortfalls: tight rear seating.

Kodo Design

Our artistic interpretation of the Mazda 3e retains the automaker’s Kodo design language but keeps the donor car’s glasshouse and doors. The front end is an evolution of the Mazda 6e, with an illuminated front panel flanked by split-tier headlamps and active grille shutters in the lower portion of the bumper.

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The side profile sports curvaceous sheet metal, semi-flush door handles and a coupe‑like roofline. Love or hate it, the LiDAR unit sits at the top of the windscreen, while out back, the sports a rear diffuser and full‑width taillight strip with circular elements.

Final Thoughts

It’s worth noting that Mazda has yet to confirm whether the current 3 will receive another generation or if a reskinned Changan product will replace it.

If the latter comes to fruition (likely in the next 24 months), the Tesla Model 3 rival will be off the cards for North American consumption. Still, it will rival a variety of electrified options like Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 and BYD Seal in European and Asia Pacific markets.

Should Mazda tap into its Changan joint venture for the next 3? Share your views in the comments below.

Update: Not long after the first prototype of BMW’s upcoming iX4 was caught testing out in the open, digital artists wasted no time trying to imagine what the final production model might look like. The early spy shots offer just enough visual clues to fuel some well-informed renderings, even as BMW keeps the real details under wraps.

More: This BMW M7 Super Sedan Is Too Good To Be Real

With its close ties to the new iX3, connecting the dots isn’t especially difficult, though a few surprises may still surface in the finer details, particularly around the taillights.

Illustrations Sugar Design

These digital interpretations from Sugar Design present a convincing idea of BMW’s next electric crossover, a model positioned squarely against one of the world’s best-selling EVs, the Tesla Model Y.

Both share a similar overall silhouette, marked by a hatchback-style arched roofline and a steeply slanted rear window that lends the iX4 a more dynamic profile, though the BMW shows more individuality in its detailing, particularly around the front fascia.

Original story continues below.

Illustrations Sugar Design

The aging X4 will bow out of production later this month, closing the chapter on BMW’s internal-combustion SUV coupe without a direct ICE successor. Yet the story doesn’t end there.

BMW is already working on a replacement, but it reimagines the formula for the electric age. The all-new iX4 is designed as a sportier counterpart to its square-roof sibling, the Neue Klasse iX3.

Our spy photographers captured the first camouflaged prototype during development testing. At a glance, the iX4 appears to borrow its front end from the iX3, including the headlights, grille, bumper, hood, and fenders.

From the B-pillar rearwards, though, the bodywork tells a different story. The profile has been reworked with a sloping roofline that flows into a fastback-style tail.

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The rear glass is more steeply angled than on the outgoing X4 and carries a discreet spoiler at its tip. Its sportier posture is further accentuated by broader, muscular rear shoulders that appear cleaner and more sculpted than those of the smaller, boxier X2 and iX2.

At the rear, the iX4 features slim LED taillights positioned close together, while the license plate has been relocated to the bumper. The prototype sits on ten-spoke alloy wheels with a diamond-cut finish, though it remains uncertain whether this design will make it to the production version.

Although exact dimensions remain unconfirmed, the iX4 is expected to be marginally longer than the new iX3, which measures 188.3 inches (4,783 mm), while maintaining the same 114.1-inch (2,898 mm) wheelbase. It may also improve upon the iX3’s already low drag coefficient of 0.24 cd.

Inside, the iX4 will mirror the iX3 almost entirely, keeping the same layout, sans some headroom for the rear passengers.

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That means BMW’s Panoramic iDrive stretching pillar to pillar, a 17.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and an optional 3D head-up display, all running on the new BMW Operating System X.

The new model will be built on the Neue Klasse architecture, meaning it will be offered exclusively as a battery-electric vehicle. Its powertrain range is expected to mirror that of the iX3.

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Currently, the iX3 50 xDrive delivers 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) through dual electric motors, while future variants are expected to include single-motor rear-wheel-drive options and higher-performance M-badged versions.

The BMW iX4 is expected to debut in late 2026. It will be the second fully electric coupe SUV from the Bavarian company, following the iX2 that was introduced in 2023. A larger iX6 is also rumored to follow at a later stage.

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