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Hyundai finished 2025 with a lift in sales, and to keep momentum through 2026, a handful of important new models are on the way.
Hyundai secured its spot as Australia’s fifth-best-selling brand in 2025 with a 7.7 per cent increase in sales, moving 77,208 vehicles for the year.
With that top-five position at stake, the brand is set to roll out a number of new or updated models throughout 2026 to help keep sales ticking over.
The first, and probably most significant of these is the new Elexio electric SUV.
Positioned as an EV alternative to the Tucson range, the Elexio shares its underpinnings with the Kia EV5, and like key rivals, including the Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7, will be built in China.
Just one model will be available initially, with a higher starting price but a superior range claim than the Tesla Model Y RWD, and a cheaper starting price than the related Kia EV5 Air Long Range.
Hyundai will also launch a new performance halo car for its N division in the form of the Ioniq 6 N sedan.
Just like the Ioniq 5 N SUV, the Ioniq 6 N won’t be a volume seller, but will function as an attention-getter for Hyundai, with peak outputs of 478kW and 770Nm in boost mode.
Hyundai is targeting 3.2-second 0-100km/h acceleration, and a host of powertrain and driveline improvements to make the Ioniq 6 N track-capable and enjoyable, rather than just fast in a straight line.
To tap into the enthusiast market, the Ioniq 6 N will feature driver-selectable sound generation that can mimic the sounds of an internal combustion engine, and virtual gear shifts that imitate the driving feel of a dual-clutch automatic.
Regular versions of the Ioniq 6 are also expected to get an update at the same time, bringing revised styling and interior and infotainment improvements, along with powertrain revisions, although recent changes to the Ioniq 5 range indicate the Ioniq 6 line-up may be reduced.
On the higher-volume side of the sedan spectrum, an all-new i30 Sedan is also expected to be revealed sometime this year.
Based on spy photos of the new sedan, the i30 looks set to maintain an angular and dynamic look, moving closer to the styling themes seen on the larger Sonata.
An aggressive front bumper, high-set running lights, and a full-width horizon light bar will link the styling of the i30 Sedan with the Sonata, while at the rear, a six-window glasshouse and fastback roof profile will make the new model appear larger than the generation it replaces.
Underpinnings shared with the Kia K4 will see a range of petrol, turbo petrol, and hybrid powertrains rolled out, but market differences may mean Australia gets a limited choice when the new model launches locally.
A replacement for the Tucson medium SUV is also expected to debut later in 2026, and like the i30 Sedan, is expected to take cues from a sibling – this time, the Nexo FCEV.
Camouflaged examples of the Tucson spied testing reveal a squarer profile and boxier styling compared to the angular current generation, following the ‘Art of Steel’ design language first seen on the hydrogen-powered Nexo last year.
A clear direction on powertrains for the new model has yet to emerge, but rumours persist that the next Tucson may skip traditional combustion engines and move to a line-up of hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains instead.
And speaking of Nexo, the new-generation hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) will also arrive Down Under this year as Hyundai (as well as Toyota) continues to push the alternative powertrain.
Expect low update of the Nexo though, as refuelling infrastructure is still scarce in Australia, with the focus to remain on fleets.
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
